Statement from Blackwell Parish Council aregarding the Project to Rebuild Blackwell Community Centre
Following the extraordinary meeting on 31st January 2023, Blackwell parish Council voted unanimously to terminate the project to rebuild Blackwell Community Centre as part of the Bolsover District Council redevelopment plans on Woburn Close.
Published: 2 February 2023
Following the extraordinary meeting on 31st January 2023, Blackwell parish Council voted unanimously to terminate the project to rebuild Blackwell Community Centre as part of the Bolsover District Council redevelopment plans on Woburn Close.
The reason for this decision was down to the rise in interest rates (which would affect the loan repayments) coupled with the rise in cost of materials, meaning that the rebuild would not be financially viable without raising the precept (the Parish Council part of the Council Tax) a large amount again and putting the burden on residents.
The discussion also centred around the results of a survey which was undertaken on Blackwell Community Centre and indicated that with a careful upgrade and maintenance programme, the life of the centre could be a further twenty years.
Bolsover District Council have said that they would not knock down the current community centre if the new one was not going to go ahead.
The rise in the precept for 2022/23, which was intended to cover the first loan repayment on the rebuild, has already started to help with much needed maintenance at all three community centres – including current issues with the floor at Newton Community Centre.
There will be a slight rise in precept for 2023/24 which will equate to a 7.01% increase on a band D property. This is to account for the rise in prices generally that will affect everyday elements of council activities and work.
The Council acknowledged that not raising the precept for a long tome has contributed to this situation and a point has been reached where the three community centres, six parks and playgrounds and the two pavilions are now falling into various states of disrepair and need properly looking after.
Up-to-date information on what is happening in the parish will continue to be posted on the website and on the Blackwell Parish Council Facebook page (search for @Blackwellpc).
Documents relating to this statement:
Blackwell Parish Council statement regarding the Blackwell Community Centre rebuild- Feb 2023
Full survey for Blackwell Community Centre that was completed on 30/01/23