Community Hubs Consultation

I am still getting reports that there are petitions being collected which state that the Ashmore Park Library is closing-IT IS NOT!

There is a Community Hub consultation taking place currently which is asking the community for its views on future policy direction.This consultation is very important. It is also an opportunity for ALL of Wednesfield North to contribute. It is not just an Ashmore Park consultation. I do know it is plain wrong to keep peddling misinformation to try and attract attention. On Ashmore Park we have the opportunity to develop the services that we currently have and more- The Community Centre, The Library , The Youth Centre and the Sports Barn- they are all old buildings that need increasing maintenance. Wednesfield North as a Ward is in a very good position to attract new investment and improve the services that we currently have. Without losing any of the services that the community enjoys here. There are organisations on Ashmore Park and within Wednesfield North, who would benefit from new investment. Here is the reason for the community consultation.

People will be urged to have their say on proposals to create a series of "community hubs" around Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton City Council is drawing up plans for a network of centres across the city which would offer a wide range of services from under one roof.

Each proposed hub would be specifically designed to meet the needs of its particular community, though in general two different types of hubs are proposed.

Three larger community service hubs – potentially located in the Bilston, Warstones and Heath Town areas – would offer services provided by a number of different agencies, and for instance could include an information and library service, community facilities and health, youth, adult education, social care and family support services.

In addition, a number of smaller community hubs – possibly in the Lower Bradley, Parkfields, Blakenhall, Bradmore, Eastfield, Dunstall Hill, Priory Green, Low Hill, Long Knowle, Ashmore Park and Wednesfield areas – would be developed which could provide information and library services and community facilities. There are also alternative options for the Penn, Finchfield and Whitmore Reans areas.

Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: “We are determined to deliver high quality services for the people of Wolverhampton – and establishing a network of community hubs is one way in which we aim to do this despite the tough financial pressures we are facing.

“We’re looking to invest at least £3m in the development of a network of hubs which will join up existing council services and make the best use of buildings that are available to us by offering a range of different services from one location, rather than from a large number of buildings dotted around a particular area as is often the case at present.

“We think this will make a wider range of our services more easily accessible to our customers, and offered from buildings that are more suitable than some of those we currently use.”

He explained: “People’s habits are changing – and the growth of retail parks, supermarkets and out-of-town shopping centres has shown there is a demand for greater convenience and having a wide range of services in one place.

“We know there has been some concern within certain communities about what the development of community hubs could mean for their library or their community centre, but it's important to stress that these proposals aren’t about scrapping services.

“Instead, it is about making better use of our facilities – so that, for instance, we don’t have buildings standing empty for large parts of the week – recognising what people want and need in their communities and, where necessary, reorganising our services to enhance this provision. This will make our services more cost-effective and reduce running costs considerably.

“We’re also keen to see that local people are fully involved in the running of the centres and we’ll be looking to build on the good practice that already takes place in many of our community centres across the city.”

An example of how a community hub could operate in practice can be seen at Blakenhall Community and Healthy Living Centre, where the idea is currently being trialled.

Councillor Mattu added: “The initial proposals received broad support during the council's budget consultation, and we’re currently trailing our vision for a community hub at Blakenhall.

“This has enabled us to provide a library, internet access, sports and fitness sessions, adult education classes, social care advice and information, carer support, public health advice and a café – all under one roof.

“The feedback we have had so far has been very positive, with our customers particularly appreciating the fact that they can access a number of services at the same location and at a time which better suits them – for instance, collecting or returning books to the library late into the evening.

“We have now developed specific proposals for a number of community hubs across the city, though there isn’t a one size fits all model of hub because each area’s requirements will be different.

“We are now keen to hear what service users, members of the public and other stakeholders think of the plans – and we’d also like to hear from residents and community groups who may have alternative ideas and suggestions to propose.”

The proposals are due to go before Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday (June 26, 2012), and subject to Member approval, a three-month consultation period will begin afterwards. People will be able to have their say in a number of ways, including at public meetings arranged by the Local Neighbourhood Partnerships and sessions for special interest groups. Details of these consultation events will be released shortly.

Depending on the outcome of the consultation, it is thought that the first hubs could open next year.

Councillor Mattu added: “Clearly, given that the council faces a reduction in its budget of more than a quarter over the next few years, we need to ensure that we are providing services in the most efficient way possible, but I’d like to reassure residents that no firm decisions have been made and will not be taken without full consultation with the local community.