Raising the roof on Okehampton community centre

Written by From Louise Raymond, Exeter 383578, November 29, 2007 and published in Devon County Council on Mon 3rd Dec 2007

AN OKEHAMPTON community centre has been given a substantial cash commitment by Devon County Council - a significant boost to the funding package needed to enable it to remain open. The Ockment Centre has been under threat of closure since October.

Devon County Council Leader Brian Greenslade visited the centre this week, together with Executive Support Member Cllr Sally Morgan and local County Councillor Christine Marsh and County Officers Roger Grainger and Louise Raymond, to meet the Trustees and find a way forward.

At the meeting, the trustees outlined their concerns over maintaining the building, and how these needs could be met - the greatest and most immediate requirement being a new roof to replace the Victorian original. A new central heating system, to replace the existing system which is inefficient in both energy and cost, is also urgently needed.

Councillor Greenslade put forward a proposal of a substantial package of financial and other support to enable the centre to remain open in the immediate future, which was met with agreement by the Trustees.

Said Councillor Greenslade: "The Council recognises the value of the Ockment Centre as a community anchor, providing a broad spectrum of services to a diverse range of people, and a focus for voluntary services in the town.

"In supporting the trustees to provide a solution to the Centre's immediate problems, I am confident that the package we can provide is key to the solution to the Centre's immediate problems and one that will ensure its long-term viability."

The Council have agreed to provide £250,000 towards the cost of repairing the roof and replacing the boiler, along with a further one-off payment of £25,000, together with a 3-month rent holiday while the work takes place.

Local County Councillor Christine Marsh, who also attended the meeting, said: "This was a very productive and conciliatory meeting, where trustees and Councillor Greenslade discussed the importance of the centre, and how best the Council could help.

"I am delighted that a solution has been found, which will enable the centre to grow, and provide even more services to the local community it serves. This commitment is the best possible answer to the concerns raised by members of the public and centre users.

"Rural towns like Okehampton need community facilities like the Ockment Centre for a whole range of services, and it is really wonderful news that it will remain open."

The centre currently hosts a range of services, from IT access to community transport and Citizens' Advice Bureau as well as training courses and a crche.

Judy Pride, Chair of the Ockment Centre's board of Trustees, said: "Since our decision to close the centre, we have been inundated with messages of support from the public, which has been overwhelming and demonstrate the high regard people have for the centre for which we are touched and very grateful.

"We thank Councillor Greenslade and Devon County Council for their generous offer of support, which has come as a result of the County Council responding to a local community.

"This contribution will enable us to undertake the necessary repairs to the building and move forward, and we will now be discussing what further funding opportunities we can secure to help us achieve a long future for the Centre and the services we offer."