WISE Communities, which aims to benefit the communities of Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England, became interested in Ashford and Sunbury youth centres last year, after hearing they were among 18 centres under threat of closure (YPN, 22-28 February 2006, p3). But negotiations reached stalemate after the charity could not agree the council's terms and conditions.
The charity hoped to take advantage of a scheme designed by Surrey County Council to save its threatened youth centres. Outside organisations are invited to take over the running of the venues at a peppercorn rent.
But the sticking point was that the county's Youth Development Service and other services would have first preference on the days and hours of use.
Jeff Barnes, director of operations at WISE Communities, said: "We felt encouraged that the community would support this. But the information that Russell and I have seen seems to indicate that, while the council wants other people to come in and run its centres, it just wants to control everything."
Young People Now understands that a group interested in taking on the running of the centre in Guildford has met with similar problems. Community groups have also expressed interest in running centres in Banstead, Bookham, Epsom, Englefield Green and Frimley Green. The two-year tenancies are due to begin in April.
A Surrey County Council spokeswoman said the council was working to avoid any closures of centres. "We invited WISE to discuss its comments with us and it hasn't taken us up on the offer," she said.
See Letters, p12.
