Uncertain future for Leicester community centres as volunteers are sought to run them - Nov 2014

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The future of a number of community centres in Leicester is hanging in the balance as the city council looks to find volunteers and community groups to take them over.

The council currently manages 11 properties in Braunstone, the West End and Newfoundpool which cost about £435,000 a year.

It says Government funding cuts mean it needs to reduce the cost by 30 per cent.

The council hopes to offload Braunstone Grove and Braunstone Oak Centre, Cort Crescent Community Centre, Winstanley Community Centre and Newfoundpool Community Centre.



Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Uncertain-future-Leicester-community-centres/story-24572050-detail/story.html#ixzz3cAph0m20
Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on FacebookIf nobody comes forward to take them on they are likely to be closed.

Some may be demolished and sold off as land for new social housing.

Assistant city mayor responsible for neighbourhoods councillor Sarah Russell said the council was currently focussing on finding volunteers rather than the prospect of shutting the community centres.

She said: “After consulting with local people, we know how much they value neighbourhood services.

“By offering some of our buildings to the community and voluntary sector to run, we can ensure that the services people value can continue.”

Under the scheme – known as community asset transfer – groups would take over the day-to-day running of buildings.

The council’s West End Neighbourhood Centre has already been transferred to a community group – Leicester Centre for Integrated Living (LCIL) – on a long-term lease.

Coun Russell added: “We’ve already had expressions of interest from some groups to run these buildings.

“Now we’re asking anyone else who might be interested to come forward too, so that we can make sure anybody who is interested has the opportunity to talk to us.”

The council does intend to spend £135,000 upgrading Westcotes Library, in Narborough Road, to improve access to computers, install self-service machines and open a new space that could be hired by community groups.

The Fosse Centre, in Mantle Road, will have £130,000 spent on it to improve library access and provide more community space.

No changes are planned for the Woodgate Resource Centre but the council says it will seek ways to reduce the £43,500 cost of running Manor House Community Centre, in Haddenham Road, with the community board that currently runs it.

Community and voluntary sector groups which might be interested in running any of the buildings being offered up for transfer can find out more at an information session.

It will be held at the Brite Centre in Braunstone on Monday November 24 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

It will be will be run by an organisation called Locality – a national network for community organisations that can offer independent advice and support to groups which may wish to take on a lease.

The deadline to express an interest in taking on a building is December 12.

To express an interest call 0116 454 2125 or email eddie.beilby@leicester.gov.uk



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