Wormley Community Centre will be leased to Wormley and Turnford Big Local (WBTL).
At a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday 11 February, it was agreed that the Wormley Community Centre will be leased to Wormley and Turnford Big Local (WTBL). The community centre, owned and formerly managed by the Council, will be handed over to WTBL in an official ceremony taking place on 15 March.
The decision to lease the facility is part of the Council’s strategy to safeguard the future of its community centres and uphold the value they bring to residents and local organisations.
As part of the lease agreement and to ensure sustainability, WTBL intend to refurbish and extend the centre within three years from the start of the lease.
Whilst the centre will continue to serve its usual purpose under the new management, WTBL proposed business plan is expected to bring socio-economic benefits which include the creation of jobs, additional volunteer engagement, reduction of anti-social behaviour incidents, increase in sports, improved physical and mental health, as well as improved wellbeing.
Further to these benefits, the move will contribute to the Council’s corporate priorities to enhance quality of life in local neighbourhoods, encourage a sense of community, maintain financial self-sufficiency and build strong partnerships to deliver more for the Borough.
Noelle Blackman, Chair of Wormley and Turnford Big Local said: "Wormley and Turnford Big Local is thrilled that Broxbourne Council has made this momentous decision. By providing Big Local with a 999 year lease for the Community Centre they have guaranteed a future for this valued resource.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the centre to develop into an exciting, thriving space for the local and wider community for generations to come”
Speaking of the new partnership, Councillor Siobhan Monaghan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Services stated: “Supporting and enabling local partnerships to work with young people and residents is a fundamental strategy for the Council and the whole community.”
The Council recently agreed a tenancy allowing the Cheshunt Sea Cadets to use Flamstead End Hall as its base, and is in talks with the Essex Fight Academy to lease the Hammondstreet Pavilion.