Chapeltown and Ebor Gardens community centres transferred to local groups
Leeds City Council has approved Community Asset Transfers (CATs) for the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown and Ebor Gardens Community Centre.
The future of two much-loved community centres will be secured after they are taken over by charities based in the city.
Leeds City Council has approved Community Asset Transfers (CATs) for the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown and Ebor Gardens Community Centre.
Cultural organisation RJC Dance, already based at the Chapeltown Road site and part of Leeds West Indian Carnival, will take over on a lease of up to 50 years.
Project Hope Leeds, which helps disadvantaged communities tackle poverty, will run the Ebor Gardens centre, on Haslewood Drive, on a 25-year term.
The transfers were agreed by the council’s executive board after both groups drew up bids to be put in charge of the centres.
A report to the meeting said: “RJC Dance has operated from the building for approximately ten years and has already invested in improvements to the centre.
“The proposal is expected to strengthen the Mandela Centre’s role as a hub for arts, culture, sport and community activity, while supporting continued access for existing users and community organisations”
The Ebor Gardens transfer was expected to reverse declining use of the centre and a deterioration in the building’s condition.
The report said: “The proposal also includes plans to make greater use of the building through the provision of meeting space, community activities and services designed to address local needs.”
Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Labour councillor Asghar Khan said Project Hope had been operating in the community for around 15 years.
He told the meeting: “We trust them. Their plan is to work with local groups to make Ebor Gardens Community Centre a thriving centre once again.”
Labour’s Mohammed Rafique, who represents Chapel Allerton, welcomed the Mandela Centre transfer.
He said: “They have already assumed significant responsibility for the building. As councillors we support the community transfer.”
The report said the two transfers would make savings for the council and relieve the authority of future maintenance costs.
Both were agreed at a meeting on Wednesday at Leeds Civic Hall.