Snape Wood Community Centre in Bulwell has become the first in Nottingham to sign a new lease agreement with the City Council under plans aimed at securing the future of community centres.
The new arrangement will see the community association take greater responsibility for running the building, including repairs, maintenance and compliance.
As a third-sector organisation, the association will also be able to apply for sources of funding that are not available to the council.
Under the agreement, the community association will pay a nominal rent based on the council’s overall cost of managing its community centre portfolio, rather than a market-rate rent.
Nottingham City Council said Snape Wood is expected to be the first of a number of community centres to move to the new model as the authority looks at different ways of managing community assets.
The council has said it will continue to cover essential health and safety costs.
Cllr Neghat Khan, Leader of Nottingham City Council, said:
“Community centres are vital hubs in the heart of neighbourhoods; they play a central role in the lives of local people. We have listened and have committed to covering essential health and safety costs.
“We want a sustainable future for the centres, with these facilities staying open. With council finances changing, this enables us to support community centres to flourish and attract funding we cannot.
“Thank you to those who are working with us. It has not been easy, but I am pleased that Snape Wood is the first of many.
“As Leader, I have made a commitment that no community centre will close, therefore I am thrilled that we have been able to pursue new ways to secure the future of community centres like Snape Wood, and hopefully many more in the future.”
Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley, said:
“I’m glad to see that Nottingham City Council’s new plan to give our community centres a firm future is working, and I’m delighted that Snape Wood is the first.
“It’s always been my view that community assets work best when they’re run by the people they serve, and that’s what this model delivers.
“Snape Wood Community Centre is such an important part of the community, and I know the people of Bulwell will be relieved to see that its future is secure. I look forward to working with the team to help Snape Wood get the most out of this space.”
The council said the model is intended to give community organisations greater control over their buildings while allowing them to seek external investment and funding to support their future operation.
