Issue - meetings

Mr Matt Roberts, Community Partnerships and Resilience Manager, presented a report regarding the Heather House Community Centre in Park Wood to the Committee. Mr Roberts recommended to the Committee that Heather House should remain open, but that if the building deteriorated significantly then this decision would need to be reviewed.

Mr Cornall updated the Committee on the progress on securing a replacement facility on the site. It was noted that the Royal British Legion, who were tenants on the site, had not demonstrated interest in redeveloping the site and the Clinical Commissioning Group had also not shown interest in becoming partners to any redevelopment. Mr Cornall requested that the ward members assisted officers with attempting to bring key stakeholders - most notably the Royal British Legion and the Clinical Commissioning Group - to the table to secure their participation in the desired redevelopment project.

Mr Green explained that as the building was coming to the end of its life, there was a risk of significant deterioration of the building. If significant deterioration occurred then it may not be cost effective to carry out repairs.

The Committee raised concerns that a full structural survey had not yet been carried out, and requested this took place to ensure that the safety of the users of the building could be guaranteed.

RESOLVED:

1.  That Heather House remains open. Should there be a significant deterioration to the fabric of the building then a report be brought back to this Committee for consideration.

Voting: Unanimous

2.  That officers, in conjunction with ward members, continue to work together to bring other partners to the table to work towards a replacement facility.

Voting: Unanimous

3.  That a report be brought back to the Committee on the progress of alternative options in October.

Voting: Unanimous

4.  That a full structural survey be undertaken of Heather House.

Voting:  For - 8  Against - 0  Abstentions - 1