Councillors have been invited to attend a meeting to discuss the community buildings review on 2nd August. We have yet to see the report.
This review is looking at all community centres and communal halls controlled by the county council, as well as the wider issues surrounding provision of community services.
Some of the centres which are being looked at in the Framwellgate moor Division are:
Framwellgate Moor Community Centre, Bearpark Community Centre, Beaurepaire Communal Hall, Woodbine Road Communal Hall
Fyndoune House, Flambard Road Communal Hall
I understand that in total there are around 180 buildings which the council currently owns and are designated as communal halls or community centres. I am also aware that some of these WILL BE BULLDOZED but the council is yet to say which ones. Of the ones in the Fram Division, I understand that Flambard Road is to continue to be used by a charity. In relation to all the others, I do not currently know what is going to happen but am aware that options include bulldozing and rebuilding, renovation, leaving the same or getting rid completely.
What is a disgrace in this process is that the council had originally intended for this report to be released in November last year and yet again has fallen behind. Also we have as councillors been given little if any indication of what is to happen to specific buildings despite repeated requests. In some cases community associations have been trying to invest to improve buildings for months and cannot until this report is completed and cleared by Cabinet.
It is unquestionable that the lack of information provided to councillors and communities is shameful on the Labour Cabinet.
It is also clear however that officers have been working hard to make sure that the right information is collated and they deserve praise for this difficult process.
Hopefully we will see that provision is protected, and though in some cases there will be investment requirements we cannot allow the council to try and inflate costings to justify closure or demolition.
If information is provided at the upcoming meeting I will report back