Derbyshire Council to keep Gamesley Community Centre open for longer

Gamesley Community Centre will stay open until the end of September, to give the local community more time to put together a plan to take the building over from Derbyshire County Council.

This will also allow community groups use the building over the school summer holidays.The council currently operates the community centre building, with High Peak Borough Council owning the land it sits on.

The building is used by various community groups, but has not been used by the county council for many years.
Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Leader, Councillor Simon Spencer, said: “Back in February we said that we would be more than happy to give the building to the community as we do understand how important it is with many voluntary groups running local services from it.
“We are working with a number of community groups, who are now working together to form a charity, and develop a business plan to take on the running of the building.

“We know that the groups are working to obtain charitable trust status, and this process is taking longer than expected. With this in mind we are happy to keep the building open until the end of September to allow them to do this, and to provide us with a business plan.
“We are still hopeful that by working together the community can find a way to run the building themselves. I want to give the community the best possible chance to take on the building, and this extended time period will hopefully do just that.”

MP for the High Peak, Jon Pearce added: “I welcome the decision by Derbyshire County County to put back their plans to close Gamesley Community Centre until the end of September. I am working closely with the local community group. This extension is vital to give them the necessary time to be in position to complete a successful transfer of the facilities. It is vital that everyone works together to save this vital community asset for generations to come."