Oakley Resource Centre, Cheltenham

Since 13 September 2016, when the joint trustees of Oakley Regeneration Partnership and Oakley Neighbourhood Project announced the managed closure of the two organisations, the council has worked hard to put the necessary arrangements in place to protect community use of the building which has an estimated footfall of 7,500 visitors per annum.

These arrangements include allowing the trustees to surrender their lease two months early and the council employing a building supervisor.

Councillor Flo Clucas, cabinet member for healthy lifestyles says: “The trustees’ announcement on 13 September did come as a bit of a shock to many people in the town. Since then we have been working extremely hard to put a plan in place to ensure that the building remains open to the public. We know how valued the resource centre is in the Oakley community and we are determined to do all we can to protect this building.

“Cheltenham Borough Council has a long and proud track record of supporting the Oakley community which dates back to 1997, when we were instrumental in establishing the then Whaddon, Lynworth and Priors (now Oakley) Neighbourhood Project and the Regeneration Partnership (ORP) in 1998.

“Along with Cheltenham Borough Homes, the council has also provided financial support to the Oakley Regeneration Partnership and Oakley Neighbourhood Project, which at the last count was approximately £190k. This is a good measure of just how committed we are to supporting the Oakley area.”

Councillor Steve Jordan, leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, continues: “I would like to reassure residents that we expect the centre to open as usual from 1 November. Apart from small changes to the job club and location of the food bank we expect all the activities currently provided to continue.”

The report goes before Cheltenham Borough Council’s Cabinet at a special meeting on 28 October 2016. Please visit the council’s website for the report and background, which is listed as agenda item four.