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That’s the message from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, which has thanked residents and local organisations for the variety of constructive and enthusiastic suggestions that have already been submitted.

The buildings, at Keresley and Stockingford, are currently owned and managed by the Borough Council. This year, the Borough Council announced it intended to transfer management of these centres to community groups or appropriate interested parties.

At Stockingford, a newly-formed local committee has come forward with a plan to run the centre. The council’s Cabinet has agreed the building should be handed over to them, together with a £25,000 capital budget for necessary improvements to the building.

For Keresley, no formal offers have been received and though proposals are being considered, there is still time for organisations or individuals to come forward with further suggestions, feedback or offers of management arrangements for the council to consider.

Approaches have been made to local organisations, ward councillors have worked extremely hard pursuing ideas in their area, and local residents are being invited to supply suggestions or express an interest in the process by emailing: consultation@nuneatonandbedworth.gov.uk. People can also leave written comments on consultation forms in the centres.

If a formal proposal has not been formulated in the next month, Keresley Community Centre may yet have to close.

However, a number of other community centres around the area are already successfully managed by local committees run by local residents and community groups without the Borough Council being directly involved. 

Portfolio Holder for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Cllr Sam Croft, said:

“I’m very pleased that the local residents’ committee in Stockingford have produced an excellent proposal, we are very grateful for their determination to work for their community and we’re now in a position to begin the processing of handing the centre management over to them.

“There’s still time to get involved and help in Keresley, but time is running out, I urge anyone with any thoughts, suggestions or offers of help for Keresley Community Centre to take this opportunity to come forward without delay.

“This year, in a time of high inflation and rising costs, we are going to have to make substantial savings in our budgets, so it is not financially sustainable that we continue to directly manage two community centres. However, we are determined not to cut and run, which is why we are working to find parties to take over management rather than just close the centres.

“Our Borough already has some fantastically successful community centres that are run by the residents themselves – who are the people best placed to know what their areas need – and we’re determined that these centres will be able to reap the same benefits.”