SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY - COMMUNITY CENTRES
What is the problem?
We live in an age where property uses are diversifying in ever more sophisticated ways. The manipulation of values to create the required returns ever more complex. The desire to create multifaceted buildings that offer complete solutions (by that translate, ever more ways to redeem the situation if it goes horribly wrong!).
In last months' Time to Change (OK - maybe two months ago!), I wrote about Squatting and how it came about alongside the influence it had within the second half of the 20th Century. In this newsletter, I am focussing on Community Centres and the positive and negative impact they have within local communities as well as the enormous pressure placed on those responsible for managing them by the opportunity cost therein.
A community centre is a public location in which members of a specific community can come together as a group to enjoy group activities, social support, public information and many other purposes including those for various youth-related projects.
Many of the community centres across the UK have their own building in which these activities are based. They try to tackle problems such as racism, sexism, crime and violence through enriching people's lives and occupying their time with many activities that bring together large diversities of people from within the community.
Activities in a social community centre can vary from music/dance activities, sport activities, social support activities, coffee mornings, fundraisers for charities and the community centre, childcare and many other different things to enjoy. It is often the only outlet providing these facilities on a cost effective basis within a predominantly low income area.
A community centre is normally located within a town/city/village centre with the majorities of these within easy walking distance or bus routes, so they are easily accessible for those of age or with disabilities.
Who is responsible conceptually?
There were three movements that were significant in the formation of the community centre:
The history of settlements in Britain revolved around the same principle – that all should share in community. The concept was that ‘university’ men and women would ‘live in’ (residential settlements) the poorer areas of the great cities. These residential settlements would be a ‘club-house’ amongst the ‘poor’ for residents to ‘share’ themselves with their neighbours. Samuel and Henrietta Barnett established the first university settlement, Toynbee Hall in Whitechapel, in 1884.
Key social influencers and settlements identified three key aims of these settlements:
Educational settlements started the adult education movement, and these later developed into centres such as the YMCA and the Workers Education Association. Adding to this mix were the social service clubs that grew out of the miner’s strikes of 1926-7. By 1939 there were 2,300 of these clubs, offering unemployed people the opportunity to work and organise together for the benefit of their local communities.
The idea of the community associations came into play in response to the new housing estates formed after the First World War. Associations were formed in Dagenham, Watling, Middlesex, Birmingham and more – and a national organisation within the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) was developed to promote this work in the new estates. By 1937 the NCSS was in contact with 171 towns having community centres in existence or contemplated; in 1938 the number had nearly doubled to 304.
In an early paper, the NCSS set out the following definition for the community centre and community association:
“A Community Centre may be defined as a building which (1) serves a community organized in an association which is responsible for the management of the building; and (2) provides facilities for the development of the recreational, cultural and personal welfare of members of that community; and (3) constitutes a meeting place for voluntary organizations or other groups in the community which need accommodation.”
“A Community Association may be defined as a voluntary association of neighbours democratically organized within a geographical area which constitutes a natural community, who have come together either as members of existing organizations or as individuals, or in both capacities, to provide for themselves and their community the services which the neighbourhood requires.”
According to Mess and King, a ‘good social life’ is ‘dependent upon good buildings’. ‘Good buildings’ was defined as large rooms for meetings and social events, a theatre, common room, canteen and games. They also identified that good leadership was crucial and that it could not only depend on volunteers, but on skilled workers to be successful.
After the Second World War, the community centre was an essential amenity, according to the government. The number of community centres grew to over 900 by 1960 – and also significantly shifted in their function. They became less of social service and took on more of an educational aspect, and they were focused on the operation and maintenance of their centre with reliance on assistance from their local council. They became a base for groups and clubs, and larger social events such as dances and fundraisers. Later, as we entered the era of Thatcher there were significant cutbacks in state support that saw an increase in profit making ventures such as the centres becoming venues for weddings, bars and gymnasiums.
Community centres today look very different to their beginnings as settlements in the poorest areas of major cities. However, they remain to be a place where people can organise – whether that is social functions, political meetings or adult to pre-school education.
Over 4.4 million people are estimated to use community buildings every week. The role of community buildings in strengthening local communities, whether that be through funding or developing enterprise, ensures that they remain the place for the community to engage and develop – where action can be organised and lives can be changed.
What has gone wrong?
Well, in short, lack of leadership and investment in these important venues has resulted in their physical decline. People stopped using them and the local authorities misinterpreted this as apathy and lack of demand. They used this excuse as a modus operandi to sell these important buildings to raise much needed funds to prop up other shortfalls in their budgets.
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My research has determined that this is a travesty founded on misinformation and that, with the right leadership alongside some significant fund raising, community centres can quickly attract strong interest and participation. We were introduced to one building in Norfolk when a local resident managed to persuade a local authority to "gift" the closed down centre to the local community and, within 6 months, there were over one thousand residents visiting and participating in events every week.
Why are community centres important?
Community centres provide a physical venue for communities to take responsibility for their futures, both commercially and socially. They provide a physical space for young people to develop interests waylaying any potential negativity that boredom can facilitate. They provide a platform for entertainment and building communities generally.
It is so important that the property industry are mindful as to the impact (positive and negative) activities may have within a local community. This is relevant across the spectrum but, in this case, I have concentrated specifically on community centres. These are important parts of a community infrastructure and should be fully supported where possible.
Example:
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/how-much-council-spent-community-14951136
The doors to Foleshill Community Centre were shut in March 2015 with Coventry City Council claiming that it was no longer economically viable to run. Since them, the former bingo hall, judo club and a Friday prayer group has been left empty, despite continued interest from a large number of parties.
And despite the closure of the centre as part of cost cutting measures, CoventryLive can reveal that since April 2015 the council has spent a six figure sum on the building.
Information obtained through the Freedom of Information Act reveals that in a little over three years, ￡119,568.60 was spent by Coventry City Council on 757 Foleshill Road - Foleshill Community Centre. The largest expense during this period was paid towards business rates and city centre BID levy - around ￡55,000 was spent on this.
When the keys to the building were handed back to the council in 2015, some ￡14,500 was spent on repairs and maintanence.
Foleshill Community Centre running costs 2015-2018
In recent months, the centre has had an unusual house guest - a man has actually been living in the centre. As strange as it sounds, the man has been allowed to live there to ensure that the property is secure and maintained until a tenant is found. A sign on the main entrance to the building reveals that a guardian is occupying the property, quashing rumours a squatter was living in the property.
Coventry City Council subsequently confirmed this to CoventryLive, revealing that an agreement is also in place for termination, when the property is let.
The centre's past: Located at 757 Foleshill Road , the building served the local community for a number of years, before it closed in March 2015. The Community Centre was previously managed by the Foleshill Community Association, from the late 1950s.
Little is known about the centre prior to this, though it is believed that it was given to Coventry City Council to run by the Americans during the Second World War.
In March 2015, the Community Association handed responsibility of the centre back to the council following their decision to wind up the Association. The council then began picking up the maintenance and security costs of the building. At this time, the council claim that the centre was only being used for 11 hours a week.
As a result, the council declared the centre to be "not economically viable".
In September 2015, some six months after the centre shut its doors, its future was discussed at a council meeting. The Cabinet Member for Community Development, Co-operatives and Social Enterprise considered a proposal to invite expressions of interest from organisations who believe they could run the Foleshill Community Centre on a sustainable basis.
It is unclear why no further action has been taken until recently, but the council has confirmed that the situation was revisited earlier this year, leading to the process to find a new tenant.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that nine organisations had applied to Coventry City Council to use the space, and interviews were held with each of these groups earlier this month. It was initially believed that the new tenant would be announced by mid July, though the wait for confirmation continues. According to a document on Coventry City Council 's website, the successful organisation will be required to enter into a minimum of 10 year lease, with the organisation covering all outgoings.
The document reads: "The council is seeking an organisation which has a sound financial record that can raise the necessary income to successfully run the community centre and to invest in the condition of the building. "The organisation would need to demonstrate that they have the expertise and experience to run the centre sustainably.
"In addition to financial performance and ability to manage a building, the council will require prospective organisations to demonstrate through their aims and objectives how they will keep the community centre open and available for use by all organisations and groups in the community."
CEO at Access Community Trust
2 年Thanks for raising this issue Rupert, a whole host of responses spring to mind! Now is exactly the time to be investing in community spaces and with the phrase 'ethical commissioning' currently doing the rounds one would hope the much needed VCSE sector is supported to lead on this reinvigorated movement.