Helston community centre U-turn
7:00pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Helston
In a 180 degree turn of events it seems likely that Helston WILL now have a new community centre purpose built.
Only last month the town council agreed to free up money previously set aside for the building of a centre, in order to support ‘community projects’.
While this did not preclude the money still being spent on a building, the intention was to broaden the scope of projects it might benefit.
Although not technically a reversal of last month’s decision, a new allocation of the money effectively takes the council back to where it started.
The full £158,000 left from the sale of the Passmore Edwards Institute (after fees were deducted) is now in a dedicated budget, meaning it cannot be spend on anything other than a community centre.
Two thirds of the sale proceeds must be spent on an “institute of technical instruction” to comply with a covenant put on the 3 Penrose Road building, which carries over with the sale, and this will have to be taken into careful consideration in any building plan.
The decision came after town clerk Chris Dawson sought clarification over whether to begin the previously agreed search for land on which to build.
This was time-consuming work that could potentially be wasted if further down line money had already been given out in grants.
Mr Dawson said: “I’m very keen this council leaves a legacy; I would like to leave a legacy before I go. I would be very enthused to find a piece of land and design a building.”
Earlier, councillors had heard from David Harris, a member of the public, who said he had “left in a huff” after the decision at the previous meeting to un-earmark the funds.
He claimed there were never discussions in meetings about matters affecting the north of the town, such as Trenethick Avenue and Bosnoweth.
“Nothing is done for these people. Why can’t they have a community centre? There’s plenty of land up there,” he said.
Councillor Sue Swift agreed that there were an “awful lot” of elderly people who said they felt “isolated” at the top of town.
She added: “They are complaining they can’t go down the town all the time to get to things.”
Councillor Niall Devenish said he had people “bending his ear” after the last meeting, with Mr Harris not the only person who was upset.
However, councillor Mike Thomas said, conversely, he had been spoken to by people who said it was the centres that already existed that needed improvement.
Councillor Mark Upton questioned whether any research had been carried out to find whether people wanted a community centre, for example by looking at the town plan questionnaires. However, Mr Dawson said the council was not at that stage yet.
Despite these concerns the majority agreement was to ask the council’s asset working party and town clerk to start looking at a purpose built community centre for Helston and allocate funds to a community centre budget.
Councillors Mark Upton, Mike Thomas, John Boase and Nicola Boase asked for their names to be recorded as voting against this.
Comments(19)
Gillian Zella Martin 09
says...
8:44pm Thu 28 Feb 13
If the council wishes to leave a legacy then why not contribute money to the Penrose Rd building, that surely would be covered in the jurisdiction of the covenant.
telstar1962
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9:43am Fri 1 Mar 13
Those cattle sheds and buildings had lain derelict due to a number of circumstances such as Foot and Mouth disease and Mad Cow disease,however,the building which was given to the Town by Passmore Edwards has been wantonly abandoned by the very people who had the responsibility of maintaining it. Yes, I'm talking of Town Councillors,elected persons who say they are proud to serve Helston and have civic pride etc etc. Now we have some Councillors who are quite content not to spend any of the proceeds of its sale on the renovation,or towards a new centre.
ronedgcumbe
says...
10:17am Fri 1 Mar 13
I wonder if this has anything to do with an ellection in nine weeks.
This council has left a legacy and its not good. Lets hope many people stand in may and we get Helston the council it so badly needs.
telstar1962
says...
2:41pm Fri 1 Mar 13
It needs some professionals with the foresight similar to the SKA,and even a template on the same lines as the Old Cattle Market building.
A brand new Community Centre deserves the support of every single Councillor,Business,
and individual In Helston.
Helston is an expanding Town and the population is ever increasing. The building could be self-funding ie other local businesses or offices could locate there in order to pay rent towards running costs etc.
It needs committed Councillors to see through the legacy of Passmore Edwards.Huge amounts of grants were 'awarded' by the EU towards the OCM, many villages on the Lizard Peninsula have recently obtained funding such as Porthallow,and no doubt Coverack will be doing the same for their new building.
I propose that the Town Manager, Councillors and every other citizen of Helston should get firmly behind this project and all be involved in the legacy talked about by the Town Clerk
Gillian Zella Martin 09
says...
9:23pm Fri 1 Mar 13
ronedgcumbe
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9:18am Sat 2 Mar 13
Not realy my cup of team, I am more pound shops and Witherspoons but each to there own.
Gillian Zella Martin 09
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9:52am Sat 2 Mar 13
telstar1962
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11:40am Sat 2 Mar 13
£538,393 from the European Regional Development Fund Convergence programme and £626,000 from the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007 ‐ 2013: Europe investing in rural areas.
A further £598,723 of funding support is being provided by the Community Builders fund, through the London based Social Investment Business.
Additional support has also been given by West Cornwall Local Action Group, financed by the European Agricultural Fund for European Development 2007 ‐ 2013 and Business Link.
I have copied the above from the OCM web-site for sake of clarity,and you will find that this project had gifts amounting to nearly £2m (showing a lead to its Porthleven neighbours on how to instigate and complete a successful project lol)
My post above suggests that given a similar degree of drive and professionalism from the Town Council,then this would be a model template to work to for a successful Passmore Edwards Legacy Community Centre using the £158k as a starting point to create a similar building at the North end of Town.
I could see the new building to be on a smaller scale to the OCM, but strangely there are a vast array of organizations,founda
tions and charitable Trusts who are willing to help with funding,and if the Old Cattle Market could rise from its ruins,then I'm sure that given time and devotion from the excellent Civic leaders of Helston,then a new legacy Community Centre could be built.
Gillian Zella Martin 09
says...
12:37pm Sat 2 Mar 13
The Lake in Coronation Park needs substantial repairs at a high cost that in my view should take priority.
Will it be a case of look at our legacy for Helston, a nice shiny new community centre but empty shops, expensive parking, a park with a leaking lake, Penrose Road centre the council do not want to invest in and a few dodgy roundabouts. The town council cannot even appear to fund the museum long term either.
As for your reference to Porthleven, I do not think they need to be shown a lead in successful projects, they have a lead in successful funding achievment and a town council that does not waste money lol
Helston are going to get their new community centre anyway so I will just sit back and watch it all unfold with interest.
ronedgcumbe
says...
12:51pm Sat 2 Mar 13
Gillian Zella Martin 09 wrote:I aree. A bit late for a legacy with just nine weeks left before elections. I think it would be best to hold fast and see what may brings. Hopefully a fresh start.
telstar yes all the theory is correct, I just have reservations about the long term upkeep in reality, when you look at many of the publicly available buildings currently needing repairs/updates etc why isn't the money sought from funding for them, and on your theory why is/was the Penrose Road building not kept in good repair and maintained over the years. What is to say any new community centre will not end up the same way. Yes it is achievable long term but only I would have thought if provisions are put in place by the current town council now. The community centre in Mullion was closed due to lack of funding and then was re-opened by the YMCA. I see little point having two buildings in Helston on the same scale or even similar to the OCM, not only the cost of the build project but additionally the land to site it on.
The Lake in Coronation Park needs substantial repairs at a high cost that in my view should take priority.
Will it be a case of look at our legacy for Helston, a nice shiny new community centre but empty shops, expensive parking, a park with a leaking lake, Penrose Road centre the council do not want to invest in and a few dodgy roundabouts. The town council cannot even appear to fund the museum long term either.
As for your reference to Porthleven, I do not think they need to be shown a lead in successful projects, they have a lead in successful funding achievment and a town council that does not waste money lol
Helston are going to get their new community centre anyway so I will just sit back and watch it all unfold with interest.
telstar1962
says...
1:48pm Sat 2 Mar 13
LOL
By colocating local businesses within a new Community Centre,the maintenance costs are covered by the rental income achieved. This would have been a major consideration when funders were looking to assist with OCM
As to the Lake,then we are back to the perennial problem of lack of proper ongoing repairs.I suggest if you own a property or a vehicle,then you are liable to keep it up to a certain standard,and to let it purposefully fall into disrepair, is just plain negligent.
There appears to me to be a theme which reoccurs.The civic leaders in Helston surely realise that a proportion of funds are necessary to keep the Towns amenities up to date . Just exactly how much money needs to be put aside for such things? Or are they let to decay, and hope someone else comes along with the funds to bale them out every time.
When a new Town Council is shortly ELECTED,then we'll see what input it will have in working with businesses in Town, and whether car parking can be sorted out
Gillian Zella Martin 09
says...
2:29pm Sat 2 Mar 13
telstar1962 wrote:Yes I did notice your lol telstar regarding Porthleven, I just thought I would take the opportunity to point out how well run I think Porthleven is lol
Note my use of LOL about Porthleven.
LOL
By colocating local businesses within a new Community Centre,the maintenance costs are covered by the rental income achieved. This would have been a major consideration when funders were looking to assist with OCM
As to the Lake,then we are back to the perennial problem of lack of proper ongoing repairs.I suggest if you own a property or a vehicle,then you are liable to keep it up to a certain standard,and to let it purposefully fall into disrepair, is just plain negligent.
There appears to me to be a theme which reoccurs.The civic leaders in Helston surely realise that a proportion of funds are necessary to keep the Towns amenities up to date . Just exactly how much money needs to be put aside for such things? Or are they let to decay, and hope someone else comes along with the funds to bale them out every time.
When a new Town Council is shortly ELECTED,then we'll see what input it will have in working with businesses in Town, and whether car parking can be sorted out
I agree with what you have said here, however, I wouldn't hold my breath about getting elected Councillors, because as you are aware, if enough people do not stand, then others will get in unopposed.
telstar1962
says...
6:47pm Sat 2 Mar 13
I will suggest that this could be at the root cause of many of Helston's problems
Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe
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12:36pm Mon 4 Mar 13
couldn't Helston have a mobile community centre? It could temporarily set up shop on the famed roundabouts, in Tesco car park... the sky's the limit!
Gillian Zella Martin 09
says...
1:28pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe wrote:Lol it would certainly be a lot cheaper, a bit like the mobile library.
This headline has given me an idea:
couldn't Helston have a mobile community centre? It could temporarily set up shop on the famed roundabouts, in Tesco car park... the sky's the limit!
Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe
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1:33pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Gillian Zella Martin 09
says...
2:22pm Mon 4 Mar 13
Lord Barrington Forbes-Smythe
says...
2:29pm Mon 4 Mar 13
The lol is reciprocated: this gets better and better! Just think how easy it would be for the public to air their grievances etc with councillors as they cruise around their neighbourhoods, park up near their houses...
telstar1962 says...
9:36am Thu 28 Feb 13
So,those in favour of ignoring the Covenant, please step forward.