By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A Wollaton community centre is likely to be transferred permanently to a charity who have helped to run it for more than 20 years.
Gedling Borough Council is planning to pass full control of the building on Wollaton Avenue to Gedling Play Forum.
The charity runs a ‘scrapstore’ at the centre, turning items that would be thrown away into arts and crafts for children. It is also used by artists and schools.
The transfer of the building would provide the security of a 99-year lease on ‘peppercorn rent’ – meaning for a very low or nominal fee – and allow the charity to access more long-term funding.
Gedling Play Forum intends to provide family play activities at community events, activities and workshops for outside organisations, as well as volunteering opportunities and meeting spaces.
The group first applied for the transfer in 2022, and the council is expected to approve it at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, April 18.
Ward Councillor Andrew Ellwood (Liberal Democrat) wrote in support of the new arrangement.
“I appreciate the work that the Play Forum does both in the Gedling Borough community as a whole as well as more locally in the Phoenix Ward area. I wish the Play Forum well for the future,” he said.
“The transfer in a sense formalises the current situation with regard to the building so it seems to be useful to both the Council and the Play Forum in providing a level of certainty going forward.”
A council report notes the centre is located “in an area of substantial community need” and it would help to secure the facility’s future.
The Play Forum has been responsible for repair costs for the last 20 years on various short-term leases.
It’s estimated the transfer will save the council around £1,000 a year in insurance.
