Agenda item

Future of Community Resource Centres

Minutes:

  Report HPR2023/010

 

The report recommended the permanent relocation of the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre to St Paul’s Cray Library and the temporary relocation of Mottingham Community and Learning Shop to Mottingham Library with the service including a one-day-a-week session at St Edward’s Church subject to a twelve-month trial to be reviewed after six months.  The report also asked the Council’s Executive to transfer management of these services to Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) by way of a Change Control Note to GLL’s overarching contract and the secondment and/or TUPE of staff depending on the consultation outcome.

 

The Chairman notified the Committee of a correction to Recommendation 2.3 in the published report in that it was sought to “Delegate any further decisions on the transfer to GLL to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing” and this was noted by the Committee.

 

The Chairman expressed his intention to deal with the proposals for the two Community Resource Centres separately and invited Councillor and Ward Member David Cartwright to address the Committee with regard to the proposals for the Mottingham Community and Learning Shop. 

 

Councillor David Cartwright advised that whilst he and his ward colleague, Councillor Will Rowlands agreed there was a need to relocate the Mottingham Community and Learning Shop, it was crucial that this provision remained close to the Mottingham estate.  The service primarily provided early intervention services and support to the residents of this area, including elderly and disabled people as well as those facing multiple challenges, and the current proposal would move this provision away from the community it served.  Underlining the Local Authority’s responsibility to serve its residents, Councillor and Ward Member Will Rowlands proposed an additional recommendation: 

 

2.2 (ii) To note the need for the Mottingham Resource Centre to be situated in close proximity to the existing location on the Mottingham estate (an area of social and economic deprivation) and continue to search for an alternative site during the 6/12 months trial in case the library site does not prove suitable. Furthermore, that Officers consider the implications and feasibility of extending the time available at St. Edward’s Church, during the trial period, from one day to two days per week, if required, to provide increased local availability of facilities and resources to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable who reside on the Mottingham estate.

 

Councillor Will Rowlands moved that the above additional recommendation be approved.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Sean Slator, put to the vote and CARRIED.

 

The Chairman invited Councillor and Ward Member Chris Price to address the Committee with regard to the proposals for the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre. 

 

Councillor Chris Price paid tribute to the dedication of staff who had made a success of the temporary relocation of the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre at St Paul’s Cray Library but expressed significant concerns with regard to permanent relocation.  The number of customers accessing the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre had reduced significantly during the temporary relocation and it was felt there was insufficient space for either service to provide a full service offer should this arrangement be made permanent.  A significant majority of respondents to the consultation had expressed a preference for the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre to return to its established location on Cotmandene Crescent and further work should be undertaken to review the viability of this supported by a robust maintenance plan.  Councillor Chris Price also requested a further consultation be undertaken to fully capture the views of all stakeholders.

 

In response to the points raised, the Assistant Director: Culture and Regeneration advised that the option for the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre to remain in its established location had been previously discounted due to the ongoing and significant issues impacting the building which had resulted in multiple closures of the service and equipment damage. The report considered by the Renewal, Recreation and Housing PDS Committee on 16 November 2022 had not included the option of the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre remaining in its current building and the Committee had agreed the actions recommended by that report. A number of alternate sites had been considered with St Paul’s Cray Library being identified as being both the most suitable location and the only option within the St Paul’s Cray area.  Planned refurbishment works at St Paul’s Cray Library would address existing issues with the building condition as well as delivering the more flexible space required to enable both services to deliver their full service offer.  The Cotmandene Community Resource Centre would also benefit from sole use of the library space on days when the library service was closed.  The Portfolio Holder further underlined that the funding for the refurbishment works was linked to the permanent relocation of the Community Resource Centre and that any delay to agreeing this could result in the service operating within temporary relocation arrangements for a longer period.  A Member asked that a commitment be made to ensure service users were not disadvantaged as a result of the planned relocation and the Assistant Director: Culture and Regeneration confirmed that the new arrangements would be widely publicised and closely monitored.  Another Member advised that Councillor and Ward Member Colin Hitchens had asked that his support for the planned relocation to St Paul’s Cray Library be reported to the Committee.

 

Councillor and Ward Member Chris Price proposed an amended recommendation be agreed with regard to Cotmandene Community Resource Centre: 

 

2.1  Continue to review options for the Cotmandene Community Resource Centre and St Paul’s Cray library for a six-month period and undertake further consultation with staff in both organisations and within the community again.

 

Councillor Chris Price moved that the above amended recommendation be approved.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Tony McPartlan, put to the vote and FELL.

 

RESOLVED: That the Council’s Executive be recommended to:

 

2.1  Agree the permanent relocation of the outreach services at Cotmandene Resource Centre to St Paul’s Cray Library, including the transfer of management services to GLL by way of a Change Control Note to GLL’s overarching contract and the secondment and/or TUPE of staff depending on the consultation outcome;

 

2.2 (i)Agree the temporary relocation of the outreach services at Mottingham Learning Shop to Mottingham Library, with a one-day-a-week session at St Edward’s Church, subject to a twelve-month trial, to be reviewed after six months. These services are to be transferred to the management of GLL rather than the Council by way of a Change Control Note to GLL’s overarching contract and will include the secondment and/or TUPE of staff;

 

2.2 (ii)Note the need for the Mottingham Community and Learning Shop to the situation in close proximity to the existing location on the Mottingham estate (an area of social and economic deprivation) and continue to search for an alternative site during the six to twelve-month trial in case the library site did not prove suitable.  Furthermore, that Officers consider the implications and feasibility of extending the time available at St Edward’s Church during the trial period from one day to two days per week, if required, to provide increased local availability of facilities and resources to the elderly, disabled and vulnerable who reside on the Mottingham estate;

 

2.3  Delegate any further decisions on the transfer to GLL to the Director of Housing, Planning, Property and Regeneration in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services and the Portfolio Holder for Renewal, Recreation and Housing;

 

2.4  Agree the disposal of the Cotmandene building for sale or rent subject to a further report from Property; and,

 

2.5  Note the expected capital cost of the move is £594k, which is within the Operational Property Review (OPR) allowances for the two library sites, and that the budget be approved as part of the OPR process with a requirement for this project to report to the OPR Board until completion.

Supporting documents: