Efforts to turn Honiton’s purpose-built youth centre into a building everyone can use could see a grant of £12,000 given to a community interest group.
The grant is one of three proposals Honiton Town Council will consider at a meeting tomorrow (August 12).
Councillors are being asked to think about how the authority should financially help Honiton Community Spaces establish itself and run the building for the benefit of the whole town.
They will be asked to choose from three proposals to move the project forward.
A grant of £12,000 ‘or other proposed figure’ could be agreed towards work to make the building fit for purpose. Alternatively, councillors may decide to offer a grant or £6,000 ‘or other proposed figure’ on the condition that Honiton Community Spaces can demonstrate it has raised matched funding from other sources.
The third option on the table is is to give the group a loan for a period of three to five years.
No money will be given until the group meets financial and legal requirements for a community interest group.
Honiton Town Council turned down an opportunity to buy the building. However, it is keen to support Honiton Community Spaces in its efforts to open up the centre to a wide range of local groups.
Before that can happen, financial support is required to ensure the building, adjacent to Honiton Community College in School Lane, is up to scratch. This could be Honiton’s last chance to keep the building for community use.
The group has asked for a financial contribution of £12,000 .
Honiton Community Spaces trustees represent a wide range of organisations in the town, including Honiton Community Complex, Honiton Health Matters, Honiton Parent and Toddler Group, and Honiton 729 Club.
Representatives will attend tomorrow night’s meeting to answer any questions councillors may have.
The meeting is scheduled to take place in the council chamber at The Beehive at 7pm.
