Nottingham community centres are at the centre of significant changes as part of a review undertaken by Nottingham City Council’s Communities and Environment Scrutiny Committee.
The review aims to eliminate the existing £613,000 subsidy provided to community associations by April 2025, effectively demanding self-sustainability from these essential community hubs.
The centres, which serve as vital gathering places for education, social interaction, recreational activities, and even statutory services, are facing stark choices.
The council’s proposal is to either transfer these centres to independent groups or close them altogether, putting the future of many centres and their services in jeopardy. These facilities play a crucial role in the city, functioning as polling stations, youth activity centres, nurseries, and emergency sites, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the project, the council will align future lease agreements with its Corporate Landlord policy, mandating Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI) terms and expecting a Market Rental Value (MRV) from the occupants. Although business support sessions have been promised to associations in an effort to help them develop sustainable business plans, concerns have been raised during recent consultations regarding the ability of volunteer-led organisations to meet the new financial burdens.
The review outlines a non-closure strategy and focuses on transferring buildings to community associations or exploring opportunities with third parties should current tenants be unable to accept the proposed terms. Any buildings left without a viable community use will be added to the Property Portfolio for disposal, potentially generating capital receipts for the council.
Engagement sessions were held with community associations, local councillors, and internal stakeholders between September and November 2024.
Feedback has highlighted significant concerns over increased operational costs, volunteer strain, and the overall feasibility of transitioning to market rent arrangements. For many associations, the financial strain resulting from repairs, maintenance, business rates, and compliance costs will pose a serious challenge.
The council has taken these concerns into consideration and suggested possible mitigations. These include phased introductions of compliance requirements and business rates, a one-year break clause in the leases, and exploring the possibility of reduced rent for specific groups. Additionally, associations have expressed an interest in acquiring the buildings they currently occupy, which the council has noted as a potential option.
A major risk for Nottingham’s community centres is that many associations may be unable to take on the proposed lease terms, resulting in vacant buildings and associated anti-social behaviour risks. The review document notes the need for a coordinated effort with the Disposal Team to minimise the risk of void properties, and options such as Tenancy at Will under building guardianship terms are being explored to keep these centres occupied.
Despite the risks, the council is aiming to ensure that Nottingham retains a network of self-sustaining community centres, where feasible. The project’s timeline includes commencing lease negotiations in early 2025, transferring assets by March, and ceasing subsidies by April 2025. Consultation with affected staff regarding potential redeployment or redundancy is also planned.
The changes have sparked a wave of anxiety among the volunteers and associations managing these centres, many of whom feel ill-equipped to cope with increased responsibilities and financial commitments. For many, the community centre represents more than just a building; it is a vital community asset that supports a wide range of services and provides a sense of local cohesion.
The project’s next steps focus on finalising engagements with associations, negotiating leases, and working to minimise disruptions to the services offered by these centres. Nevertheless, with significant financial pressures looming, the fate of many of Nottingham’s community centres remains uncertain.
