Issue - meetings

(a)        That Cabinet agree the scope and timeframe for the Community Centre review and the establishment of a project working group.

(b)                           That Cabinet agree to receive a future report in relation to the modernisation of Community Centre Provision within the Borough.

(c)                           That Cabinet request the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee form a Working Group or Task and Finish Group to shadow the work of the review group, and as part of its work visit each site, speak with committees, users and make recommendations to the Cabinet of the future of centres.

(d)                           That an interim report be submitted to Cabinet with the detailed plan of how the review will be conducted, including engagement with management committees and stakeholders, having obtained the Task and Finish Groups views on the plan. 

(e)                           That officers submit regular updates and progress reports to the Task and Finish Group during the review period.

Cabinet received a report seeking authority to commence a review of Community Centres provided by the Council and to establish a project group to undertake this work.

There were fifteen Community Centres within the Borough, which were currently operated by local management committees under an informal management agreement.  Given the nature of this agreement there were a number of key issues that need to be addressed to ensure the long term sustainability of the Councils Community Centres.

The Portfolio holder highlighted ways in which savings could be made for Community Centres such as the shared acquisition of fuel and supplies and the rolling out of best practice as was currently in place In some community centres. The Chair agreed and stated that it was vital to ensure that money spent by the Council on community centres met the needs of the communities and that both current users and potential users would be included in the consultation process.

Resolved:      (a)        That Cabinet agree the scope and timeframe for the Community Centre review and the establishment of a project working group.

(b)                           That Cabinet agree to receive a future report in relation to the modernisation of Community Centre Provision within the Borough.

(c)                           That Cabinet request the Scrutiny Coordinating Committee form a Working Group or Task and Finish Group to shadow the work of the review group, and as part of its work visit each site, speak with committees, users and make recommendations to the Cabinet of the future of centres.

(d)                           That an interim report be submitted to Cabinet with the detailed plan of how the review will be conducted, including engagement with management committees and stakeholders, having obtained the Task and Finish Groups views on the plan. 

(e)                           That officers submit regular updates and progress reports to the Task and Finish Group during the review period.