Future of Keresley Community Centre at risk

If a formal proposal has not come forward in the next month it may have to close.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council are in the process of finding local organisations to run some of its community centres.

This year, they announced they intended to transfer management of Keresley Community Centre and Stockingford Community Centre to community groups or appropriate interested parties.

For Keresley, no formal offers have been received and though proposals are being considered, the council have said that there is still time for organisations or individuals to come forward.

Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Cllr Sam Croft, said: “There’s still time to get involved and help in Keresley, but time is running out, I urge anyone with any thoughts, suggestions or offers of help for Keresley Community Centre to take this opportunity to come forward without delay.

“This year, in a time of high inflation and rising costs, we are going to have to make substantial savings in our budgets, so it is not financially sustainable that we continue to directly manage two community centres. However, we are determined not to cut and run, which is why we are working to find parties to take over management rather than just close the centres.

“Our Borough already has some fantastically successful community centres that are run by the residents themselves – who are the people best placed to know what their areas need – and we’re determined that these centres will be able to reap the same benefits.” 

At Stockingford, a newly-formed local committee has come forward with a plan to run the centre. The council’s cabinet has agreed the building should be handed over to them, together with a £25,000 capital budget for necessary improvements to the building.

Cllr Sam Croft, said: “I’m very pleased that the local residents’ committee in Stockingford have produced an excellent proposal, we are very grateful for their determination to work for their community and we’re now in a position to begin the processing of handing the centre management over to them."