Dudley MP voices concerns about council's plan to bring in community partner to run play centre

Dudley MP Sonia Kumar voiced concerns after the borough council invited tenders for community management of the Sycamore Adventure Centre in Sycamore Green.

Miss Kumar said only in April this year deputy council leader Councillor Paul Bradley had assured the centre's future for the next five years.

Council leader Councillor Patrick Harley also added: “The budget is set for five years and as far as I am concerned the Sycamore Centre is going nowhere, whether we get a partner or not.” 

But she said the council's recent invitation for expressions of interest from community organisations to take over the day-to-day management of the centre had sparked concern among residents and local leaders, with more than 4,500 signatures gathered on a petition opposing the potential closure or outsourcing of the centre.

Councillor Harley, however, insisted that the council was committed to the future of the centre, and was simply looking for a partner to help with its running and bring new ideas.

Having a community partner would also open up the possibility of extra funding which was not available to the council, he added.

Miss Kumar said: “People were told the centre was safe, and now they’re being asked to accept its uncertain future. It’s unacceptable, and I’ll fight to keep Sycamore Adventure in public hands where it belongs.

"At a time when childhood mental health issues are on the rise and families have limited spaces to take their children, we should be investing in spaces like this, not threatening their future. 

"I am firmly opposed to any closure or sell-off and will fight to keep this centre in public hands.” 

Miss Kumar said the The Sycamore Adventure Centre, which has been on the Old Park Farm estate more than 15 years, offered indoor and outdoor play and support services for children of all ages and abilities. 

Councillor Harley said any deal with a community partner would include strict requirements that it would be run along similar lines to how it is at the moment.

"We remain 100 per cent committed to ensuring Sycamore Adventure Centre remains available to our communities and families," he said.

“Dudley Council is currently looking to find a community partner and we have invited community partners to submit expressions of interest.

“Under this arrangement, the council will retain ownership of the centre, and it will be a requirement that partners follow a similar model to the one already in place through a community lease arrangement. 

“This would give long term security to the centre while allowing the community partner to bring their own ideas to the table and direct the future of the much-loved site. Being community led would also provide opportunities to apply for voluntary and third sector funding streams not available to the local authority, helping to assure the centre’s long-term future.  

“If any submissions are deemed worthy we will work closely with the provider to ensure families continue to benefit from the facility that we all know and love.”