When Tesco built their new store in Llandrindod, they gave £700,000 to build a new Scout hut. This was built with extra money added from PCC to add a youth centre on the side. For many years the scouts have had to deal with other users of the building using their space and causing damage. There was an agreement over the use of the building and the formulation of a management committee to run the building. These have not been honoured even though the scouts have tried over many years to get PCC to deal with the issues. A few weeks ago, PCC called a meeting with the users of the building to tell them they had applied for grant funding to make part of the building an office and drop in centre. This is obviously a safeguarding issue for the youth groups who use the building. There are still many unresolved issues over ownership and management of the building, which the scouts have had no reply from PCC since January 2019 when it was stated “we will get back to you shortly”. Can the portfolio holder please tell me, why they have not received a reply, why PCC have not honoured the agreement to form a management committee and why they have gone against the original agreement which states “ It is proposed that use of the new facility by other organisations shall be restricted to youth groups, only. Any future proposal to allow use by non-youth groups will be subject to agreement by the management committee and ultimate approval by the Council's Board following consultation with existing user groups including the Scouts.”
Minutes:
When Tesco built their new store in Llandrindod, they gave £700,000 to build a new Scout hut. This was built with extra money added from PCC to add a youth centre on the side. For many years the scouts have had to deal with other users of the building using their space and causing damage. There was an agreement over the use of the building and the formulation of a management committee to run the building. These have not been honoured even though the scouts have tried over many years to get PCC to deal with the issues. A few weeks ago, PCC called a meeting with the users of the building to tell them they had applied for grant funding to make part of the building an office and drop in centre. This is obviously a safeguarding issue for the youth groups who use the building. There are still many unresolved issues over ownership and management of the building, which the scouts have had no reply from PCC since January 2019 when it was stated “we will get back to you shortly”. Can the portfolio holder please tell me, why they have not received a reply, why PCC have not honoured the agreement to form a management committee and why they have gone against the original agreement which states “ It is proposed that use of the new facility by other organisations shall be restricted to youth groups, only. Any future proposal to allow use by non-youth groups will be subject to agreement by the management committee and ultimate approval by the Council's Board following consultation with existing user groups including the Scouts.”?
Response
The Llandrindod Scout Hut and Youth Centre has been used by a number of organisations over the years since it was built – these include the Scouts, Youth Service, and Credu. The building also housed the Pupil Referral Unit until July of this year, which means that the building is now not being fully utilised.
In order to explore opportunities to fully utilise the building, the authority is currently exploring the possibility of developing an Integrated Family Centre to be housed in the building, which will be able to provide valuable support to families in the area. Following the recent departure of the Pupil Referral Unit from the building known as the Llandrindod Youth Centre. Although an application to the Welsh Government for grant support has been made, the outcome of this is not yet known.
Officers called a meeting of all current and potential users at the beginning of September. This was the first meeting to discuss potential future use, and it was very important that all users were round the table from the beginning.
If the grant application is successful and the authority decides to proceed with establishing an Integrated Family Centre on the site, then it will be a fantastic opportunity for all organisations to work together to meet the needs of families and young people in Llandrindod. However, the authority will ensure that it consults with all users to discuss the operational implications of this.
In order to ensure full compliance with any agreement regarding the Centre and its use, I will be recommending that a Centre Management Committee is established as soon as possible.
In his supplementary question Councillor Williams asked if the family centre would be put into the unused part of the building leaving the scouts as the sole users of the rest of the building to honour the original commitment to provide a purpose built scout hall for Llandrindod in return for vacating the Drill Hall. The Portfolio Holder committed to meeting Councillor Williams and all the other parties involved.
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