‘Anxiety’ as review into centres to run until early 2018

Community

The slowness of a review into community centres in Peterborough is said to be causing anxiety.

Caroline Rowan, community capacity assistant manager at Peterborough City Council, admitted there were frustrations at the length of time the review was taking.

The review is now set to end in early 2018 having begun with an initial consultation in 2014 which attracted 5,100 responses.

Once it is concluded, the council anticipates that the centres will either stay as they are, be transferred to an individual organisation or citywide trust, have the use of its building changedorbedisposed of.

The latter would be a “last resort” according to Ms Rowan. She told councillors on a council scrutiny committee: “Therehasbeensomefrustration about the speed of things and anxiety about what is going to happen to the centres which is why we are prioritising going out to speak to each centre.

“Previouslythiswaspartof my overall role, but now it’s a full-time role. Hopefully that will meanthingswillstartprogressing better.”

Cllr Stuart Martin, memberforBretton, said:“Weseem to have beentalking about the transfer of assets for a heck of a long time.

“I’m aware Bretton Parish Council are eager to take over the running of two centres in Bretton and they are frustratednothing seemstohavehappened to date.

“I’m disappointed this is running until early 2018.”

The council owns 31 communitycentresandleasestwo more.

Cllr Stuart Martin