Discussions are continuing in Peasedown St John surrounding the future of the village’s much-loved youth centre, following a campaign by local councillors to secure the building for the community.
Karen Walker and Sarah Bevan (Independent) have been working since January to look at viable options for the building’s future following the council’s 46% cut to the youth service budget.
After lengthy discussions between potential new service providers, and the Leader of the Council, Karen and Sarah have arranged for any new provider of youth provision at Peasedown Youth Centre, once the council withdraws its services, to be offered a peppercorn rent arrangement.
In legal terms, peppercorn is a metaphor for a very small payment in exchange for services, goods or land-hire. It’s an arrangement local authorities can enter into as a gesture of good will.
Cllr Sarah Bevan said: “To ensure that any new provider of youth services in the building has all the support they need, we’re pleased to have been able to arrange for a peppercorn proposal to be made.”
Last week, a meeting was held that looked at the future of all the council’s youth services across the district.
Sarah added: “At the meeting we strongly emphasised that all current service users of the building must be consulted on its future. For both young people in our community, and groups that hire the venue, there are fears over whether they’ll be able to access it in the future.
“Therefore their views must be taken into consideration to ensure a fit for purpose Youth Service programme for Peasedown St John Youth Hub.”
The meeting was attended by representatives of Peasedown community groups and youth service staff, and looked at what options could be available for an ‘Asset Transfer’ – which involves passing the responsibility of the building to another organisation for a fixed period of time.
Cllr Karen Walker said: “We’ve been discussing ideas for lease arrangements, asset transfers and partnerships with the Cabinet Member for Finance since the financial year started. The good news is, there seems to be a lot of options available to us.
“In preparation for any new arrangements, Sarah and I have made sure that funding is available to make any necessary repairs to the building, and we’ve also been adamant in the wake of the Grenfell Fire disaster that the building meets all current fire safety regulations.”
“As a result, £38,500 has been allocated to update all fire alarms and refurbish the basketball court.”
With the clock ticking, a plan for the building’s future needs to be in place by the summer of 2018. Karen and Sarah continue to work with the council, and potential new youth service providers on what options are available.
