Mixenden centre may still have a role to play
A CENTRE closed amid budget and reorganisation measures may be open again to offer some community services, including a temporary library.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet decided to close Mixenden Activity Centre following a decision to close open access youth provision in the borough, affecting the centre’s financing.
But it is likely to have a community role again soon if discussions with “anchor” partners come to fruition but the “I”s have to be dotted and “Ts” crossed, Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Jenny Lynn (Lab, Park) told members of the council’s Place Scrutiny Board, which was considering a 500-strong petition urging the authority to “Save Mixenden Activity Centre. Keep it in Council ownership. Keep it for the Community”.
Online, the petition now has more than 1,000 signatures.
Coun Lynn said subject to agreements being reached, the centre at Clough Lane might see West Yorkshire Police running an early intervention scheme and family days out, among others showing interest.
“We are in discussions at the moment with two or three organisations that are really keen to work in Mixenden with the local community and we would welcome opportunities to make the building available to local community organisations going forward,” she said. As plans for a new Mixenden community hub will take a while to come to fruition, part of the building might house a temporary library, said Coun Lynn.
Petitioner Steve Regan was unable to make the meeting and afterwards the activity centre’s manager Clive Ingham said Mr Regan’s invitation had been very short notice.
Mr Ingham also said he nor other staff who had worked at the centre had not been sent invitations either, and he particularly wanted to ask questions about the extra charges referenced in the £106,000 deficit so he might query them.
In the meeting a Calderdale College lecturer also raised the importance of retaining outdoor education and facilities the centre had offered.
ONLINE: Read more on this at www.halifaxcourier.co.uk