With many community centres across Nuneaton and Bedworth already being successfully operated by community groups and volunteers, Borough Conservatives are putting the remaining community centres that are in council hands back into the hands of local communities.
Local organisations, community groups and interested residents are being encouraged to put together proposals to take control of the community centres from the council.
Many community centres across our Borough are able to access grant funding from third parties, organisations, businesses and charities which are not currently available to Stockingford, Keresley and Newtown Road Community Centres. By releasing the centres from council control a fresh new funding stream will be available. Whoever takes over the running of the centres will be able to tailor the offering and opening times to local need rather than council guidelines.
Cllr Sam Croft, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate, explained:
“By making this change now, we are offering the best chance to secure these community centres for the long term by offering a longer lead in time for the transfer and making funds available for capital repairs, instead of just saving money and walking away.
“We believe people know how to run things in their own communities better than any council, and we are going to trust them to do just that. This new independence will give the centres considerably more freedom to put on a wider range of activities and apply for funding they currently cannot access because of the limitations of council control.
“We know there are people out there with the will and the imagination to help make these centres the success they deserve to be. We are open to ideas to make that happen, and we very much hope that local people will now come forward and supply those ideas through this consultation.”
