‘Least effective’ centres face major budget cuts
TWO community centres face having their funding slashed as part of ongoing council cuts.
Wardleworth and Castlemere Community Centres could see a total of £59,800 cut from their budgets later this year.
It comes following a review of grants given to community centres around the borough.
Wardleworth and Castlemere have been identified as the ‘least effective’ centres in a report to cabinet, which suggests the council withdraw funding to both in the next financial year. Councillors will consider the proposals further next week - and if approved a 45-day consultation period will be launched, before a final decision is made.
The report states: “There is no statutory duty to fund community centres. However, community centres provide a valuable service to the communities they serve.
“They should meet the needs of their individual communities and have a significant impact upon the health and wellbeing of individuals and the quality of life of people in the community.”
The authority conducted a review of 16 centres around the borough, which currently receive annual grants.
Criteria examined included the number of visitors, impact on local people, the number of people living near each centre and number of other community centres nearby.
If the plans are approved, Wardleworth will lose its £46,700 annual grant and Castlemere £13,100.
The report continues: “The application of the impact assessment criteria concluded that the two centres with least impact upon the community are Wardleworth Community Centre and Castlemere Community will lose Centre. It is proposed that the council grant is removed from each of these two centres.
“Wardleworth Community Centre is rated as the least effective centre as it has comparatively low usage and is located near three other grant funded centres, which could be used by current Wardleworth Community Centre users if delivery models were altered.
“The centre is also near other community venues with high quality provisions, including Rochdale Central Library.”
“Castlemere Community Centre is rated as next least effective as it has the lowest number of visits and is located near another grantfunded community centre.”
The committee meets from 6.15pm on Monday, January 23, at Number One Riverside.