Decision details

That this valuable community service be retained.

That the following work be undertaken by Officers after which a decision report be presented to the Council’s Executive in Spring 2023:

·  Research on potential options for the relocation of the service within the St Paul’s Cray and Mottingham areas;

·  Research on the user patterns in the two communities;

·  Soundings from users and non-users; and,

·  Investigation of the costs of moving to other buildings.

The Local Authority’s Community Resource Centres comprise the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre and Mottingham Community and Learning Shop.  Based in areas of high levels of unemployment and social deprivation, these centres offer a unique triage service where customers can seek advice and guidance on any issue, providing a much-valued community service and reducing escalation to other Local Authority services. 

The two buildings these services are located in are no longer fit for purpose due to ongoing maintenance issues, including flooding, and as the current lease for the Mottingham site is set to expire in February 2023.  It is therefore proposed to relocate the two Centres to alternate locations within the St Paul’s Cray and Mottingham communities.