Moves to plot a future course for Threeways social centre
ATTEMPTS TO allay fears about the future of a major social centre – used by more than 30,000 people last year – and desire to plot a course for its future were voiced at a council’s scrutiny board meetings.
Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Board debated the position of the Threeways Centre in Ovenden, Halifax, where the council last summer issued a notice to take it back into its control from Centre at Threeways Ltd, amid concerns over the charity’s financial viability and other issues relating to the building, including fire safety.
It is believed Threeways is the biggest site asset transferred to
‘Let me be clear we do not intend to close Threeways as a building’ - Coun Jane Scullion
community control in Europe and Centre at Threeways has a 125-year lease on the Nursery Lane site. Later last year the council received a petition calling for the asset to be saved was signed by 675 people, triggering the scrutiny board’s debate. In it all sides believed there was a need to move forward from the impasse and the scrutiny board will now get a report at its next meeting outlining progress which has been made since Cabinet’s decision.
Cabinet member for Regeneration and Resources, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot), said: “I would rather the council and community organisation could reach a settlement without going to the courts.”
She also wanted to put to rest fears from people and organisations using Threeways that the building was in jeopardy.
“Let me be clear we do not intend to close Threeways as a building, we do not intend to deprive the charitable enterprises that are in the building or the right to occupancy there of current tenants,” she said.
Charity board members stressed it was important the major benefits Threeways – which includes a sports centre – offered to communities in north Halifax were not lost.
Centre at Threeways Board Chair Emma Carter said people had taken on the task of running the centre because they had passion and commitment for the centre’s work, with committed staff also often going beyond their paid duties.
Scrutiny Board Chair Coun Steven Leigh (Con, Ryburn) said frustration on all sides was palpable. Coun Helen Rivron (Lab, Ovenden) said the centre was vitally important to residents in one of Calderdale’s most deprived wards. “This safety net we have seen emerge is too important to put at risk,” she said.
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