Walsall campaign group wins support in bid to run community base
Fresh hope has been given to campaigners fighting to save a popular Black Country community base – as it emerged a bid for them to run the centre themselves is to be prepared.
The future of Dartmouth House in Walsall has been thrown into doubt after Walsall Council agreed proposals to dispose of the freehold and allow it to be demolished.
Services have been moved out of the venue while Ryecroft Neighbourhood Resource Centre has been given a 25-year lease to run community services in New Forest Road. More than 20 people gathered at Walsall Town Hall last night to show their support towards Dartmouth House, which is in the middle of more than 100 elderly people's bungalows.
The Dartmouth Neighbourhood Forum and Community Care Entertainments want to put forward a joint bid to run community services from Dartmouth House.
Last night members of the regeneration scrutiny gave their support. Councillor Kath Phillips said: "Dartmouth House would be an absolute asset in the future for the community."
While councillor Stephen Wade added: "Lets give the community a chance, lets give them a bit of time."
Pam Spinks, chairman of the Dartmouth Neighbourhood Forum, said a series of community buildings such as pubs had closed and the loss of Dartmouth House would be the last straw.
After the meeting she said: "We are quite pleased. There was quite a debate on it. Dartmouth House is central, it is on a bus route and everybody passes it."
A survey of Dartmouth House revealed that £287,000 would have to be spent on repairs and maintenance over five years.
