Agenda item

No officer could attend and so David Smith, Senior Democratic Services Officer, read a statement out on their behalf. The statement read as follows.

Members should note that an informal, fact-finding exercise was carried out in January this year by a member of the Tenant Involvement Team. This involved direct engagement with the various management committees and has helped to inform our approach to date.

Looking ahead, we intend to undertake a more detailed review of current usage as part of the individual options appraisal for each building. The findings from this review will be shared with members in due course.

Members will also be aware from the contents of the report that these buildings are funded entirely by the Housing Revenue Account. Therefore, any savings that may arise from this exercise will be recycled within that budget and directed towards the priorities identified in the Housing Improvement Plan, ensuring our homes continue to be maintained to a high standard.

Members raised the following points in the discussion.

·        Members expressed frustration that the relevant officer was unable to attend and requested that they be invited to a future meeting.

·        Concerns were raised that the Area Committee had not been consulted prior to the decision to delegate authority to assess alternative options for each centre, aimed at reducing the financial burden on the Housing Revenue Account.

·        Members felt that local councillors, parish councils, and residents had not been adequately informed or involved in efforts to improve centre usage.

·        It was noted that the centres are underused, and informal usage may not be fully captured, meaning officers may be unaware of the true level of community activity.

·        Members highlighted the value of the centres as spaces for councillors and officers working locally – for example, as places to meet residents.

·        Questions were raised about the report’s reference to discussions with management committees, including how many meetings took place, when they occurred, and whether local members were informed.

·        Concerns were expressed about the effectiveness of management committees, the condition of the buildings, and the lack of promotion. A suggestion was made to explore the creation of a community interest company, endorsed by NYC, to assess and improve the viability of the centres.

·        Members asked who would ultimately decide the future of the centres. It was noted that no formal decision has yet been made, and local members still have an opportunity to influence the outcome.

·        Questions were raised about the future use of the buildings if the centres were to close, and members hoped that communities would be actively involved in shaping any decisions.

It was proposed and seconded to recommend that no decision regarding the future of the centres be made until an officer has attended a meeting of the Area Committee and there has been meaningful consultation with the local Members, Parish Councils and communities. A vote took place and this was caried unanimously.

Resolved

a)     That the Area Committee recommend that no decision regarding the future of the centres be made until an officer has attended a meeting of the Area Committee to respond to the questions raised, and until meaningful consultation has taken place with the local Members, Parish Councils, and wider communities.