'˜Anxiety' as review into centres to run until early 2018

The slowness of a review into community centres in Peterborough is said to be causing anxiety.
Stuart MartinStuart Martin
Stuart Martin

Caroline Rowan, community capacity assistant manager at Peterborough City Council, admitted there were frustrations at the length of time the review was taking.

The review is now set to end in early 2018 having begun with an initial consultation in 2014 which attracted 5,100 responses.

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Once it is concluded, the council anticipates that the centres will either stay as they are, be transferred to an individual organisation or citywide trust, have the use of its building changed or be disposed of.

The latter would be a “last resort” according to Ms Rowan. She told councillors on a council scrutiny committee: “There has been some frustration about the speed of things and anxiety about what is going to happen to the centres which is why we are prioritising going out to speak to each centre.

“Previously this was part of my overall role, but now it’s a full-time role. Hopefully that will mean things will start progressing better.”

Cllr Stuart Martin, member for Bretton, said: “We seem to have been talking about the transfer of assets for a heck of a long time.

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“I’m aware Bretton Parish Council are eager to take over the running of two centres in Bretton and they are frustrated nothing seems to have happened to date.

“I’m disappointed this is running until early 2018.”

The council owns 31 community centres and leases two more.