Agenda item

To consider any questions and comments regarding the campus proposal and consultation.

The Chairman then opened up the meeting for a question and answer session.  The following questions and comments were raised:

• There was a planned facility for young people, can there be assurance that the new facility will include the services requested by the young people e.g. toilets, a quiet area?

Officers would look at the work already undertaken with the young people and the Shadow Community Operations Board would consider this.  It was likely that some form of dedicated space for young people would be available along with use of flexible spaces within the proposed facility.

• In the proposal it appears that activities such as snooker, darts, skittles etc are incorporated into the main hall.  This proposal would be impractical and render the provision for these activities or the use of the main hall useless.  Is this a drafting error or is there a complete lack of understanding of the basic requirements requested during the consultation process?

It has not yet been decided exactly what facilities would be included in the campus.  The proposal is currently only a baseline.  The detail will be discussed at the Shadow Community Operations Board.  There are still choices to be made.

• It was proposed that there would be a facility for a bar, darts, snooker and skittles.  It was important for there to be a social meeting area with a licensed bar.  The current community centre has a bar which makes a profit and the users of the centre would like a similar facility in the new campus.

It was made clear by the Chairman of the Area Board that the Council was not prepared to subsidise a bar although a licensed catering facility was included in the current proposal.

• A consultation has taken place but it was felt that the outcome was not being portrayed accurately.  Patrons of the community centre use the bar for social events and this was very important.

Wiltshire Council could not build a new “pub” facility.  The Chairman explained that the community centre had a membership so was able to subsidise drinks from their fees.  He also stated that the community centre was being replaced because it was in a poor state of repair.

• Why has Rudloe got a club and Corsham has not?  Wasn’t it cheaper and better for the environment to repair the community centre and not to knock it down?  It is the only place to drink in Corsham that has wheelchair access.  The public meeting held by CCAN took place in very bad weather and a number of people had been unable to attend.  Another meeting should have been held.

The new campus facility would be very environmentally friendly and this was easier to maintain in a new building which could be specially designed to save energy.  A number of public meetings and consultations have taken place throughout the process of developing a campus proposal for Corsham ensuring many opportunities for people to have their say.

·         Is the Pound Arts Centre to be considered within the new Community Campus?

No, the Pound Arts Centre is completely separate from the Campus.

• Why is the library being moved?  The project will rip the soul out of the town. 

Part of the rationale behind developing campus facilities is that people will be able to use a number of facilities located in one place.   The Council has carried out a library review across the whole county and the results and delivery of improved library services had been fed into the campus programme.

• There will need to be a link with bus routes, cycle routes and the pedestrian network.  Will this be included in the plan?

A travel plan would have to accompany the planning application for the new campus.  These issues had not yet been looked at in any detail but the Shadow Community Operations Board will be considering this shortly.

• The community centre raises a lot of money for charity.  Without a licensed bar these events would not be supported.  A hall and bar were needed for both events and sports teams who used the facility on a regular basis.  The community centre had been told they would have the same facilities they currently have.

The Shadow Community Operations Board would look at current usage of the facilities concerned.  The campus must be a flexible multi-use facility.

• What would happen to those sites which were left vacant as a result of the campus proposals?

The Council would find alternative uses for these sites or dispose of them.

• Will there be a charge for the community centre car park? 

The Shadow Community Operations Board would consider this as part of any travel planning principles developed and make recommendations to the Area Board.

• The Community Association was extremely concerned about the level of fees required to use the campus.  The current community centre fees were low because the bar provided a subsidy.

The Shadow Community Operations Board would consider fees and charging and make recommendations to the Area Board.

• Will the new campus facility be more accessible to those with disabilities?

The Council has given a commitment to providing disabled access and personal care facilities at the new campuses and ensuring full access for all.

• There was a feeling from some people present that the working proposal for the Campus which was included in the second consultation and circulated with the agenda did not fully reflect the comments fed in.

• What plans are in place for the management of the new building?

The Wiltshire Council Cabinet would make the final decision on this issue based on an evaluation of the Preliminary Management Project and from recommendations from the Shadow Community Operations Board and Area Board. Community-led management would be tested in the 8 pilot areas.

·         CCAN produced the consultation results, who interpreted them to create the working proposal?

Wiltshire Council

• Who had put together the paper circulated with the agenda?

CCAN had forwarded a large report based on the consultation outcome and Wiltshire Council officers had put together the paper circulated with the agenda.