Skip to content
Community centre to be transferred from Sandwell Council to family services group for £1
A community centre in Oldbury is set to be transferred from Sandwell council to a family service for £1 under an asset transfer.
Hurst Road community centre is set to be transferred from the council to Sandwell Asian Family Services (SAFS) for an annual rent of £1 with a 99 year repair lease.
The asset transfer would enable SAFS to expand their services in an area of Sandwell the council describes as having “little community infrastructure”.
READ MORE: Sandwell council to apply for powers to fine careless drivers
Sandwell Council manages 22 community centres in partnership with a range of community organisations. Since June 2022, the council has been actively exploring how to secure the future of three of its community centres.
The council commissioned Baily Garner to carry out a conditions survey for Hurst Road community centre. While the survey found the building to be “in a sound condition”, upgrades to window glazing and heating would cost £245,000 over a 30 year period.
In the report, Sandwell Council claim they would save £30,055 per year if the asset transfer is approved. Until March 2022, the council gave a grant of £25,300 per year to current volunteers at Hurst Road community centre towards running costs.
The average annual council property maintenance is £4,755 while the market rental for the community centre is £5,600, the report notes.
Three community groups expressed interest in running Hurst Road community centre – advertised on the understanding no council funds would be available to run the centre. SAFS were assessed as the applicant that best met the criteria.
SAFS have had an active presence in Sandwell since 1989 and manage their services out of Windmill community centre, in Smethwick. Those services include supporting adults and children with disabilities, holiday clubs, a weekly gardening club, and raising community issues.
An extract of the council report read: “[Sandwell council] views asset transfer as a potential tool to secure the long-term future of community-based assets.
“Transfer of assets is not viewed as a tool to dispose of property but a way to develop meaningful and long-term relationships with the local voluntary sector for the benefit of all resident.”
Have a story? Email [email protected]. Contact me by text, WhatsApp, or Signal using 07554 702 118.
- Get more stories by Rhi here .
- See our top stories and avoid ads by downloading our app to your phone or tablet
