Dudley MP speaks of 'outrage' over changes to Sycamore Adventure centre in the Commons

Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley, spoke about her fears for the future of the Sycamore Centre in Upper Gornal, after the council invited tenders from community organisations to take over its running.

The centre faced the possibility of closure during a review in December 2024 but council leaders found funding to keep it open for at least five years. 

But Miss Kumar fears that handing over the management to an independent operator could lead to higher charges and reduced opening hours.

The Labour MP said the centre, which offers play activities for children, including those with disabilities, had been a lifeline to youngsters for more than 15 years.

"Despite pledging funding for it for five years in April, in a public question-and-answer session, the Conservative- led council is now forcing it to be privatised with uncapped entry cost, reduced play areas. and hours. and no proper consultation," she told Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell.

"Children face losing this vital access and area. Does the Leader of the House share my outrage, and will she dedicate time for debate on protecting community assets?"

Miss Powell said devolution legislation, soon to be debated in the Commons, would aimed to give communities more power over their vital services.

"We are going to be giving more local communities like hers the power to take over such provision as she describes," she said.

The centre, in Sycamore Green, provides activities including climbing, go-karting and crafts for children from all backgrounds, with special provision for those with disabilities or special needs.

Miss Kumar voiced fears that a community operator would only operate the bare minimum service it was required to do under the terms of the tender. 

“Sycamore Adventure Centre is a lifeline for thousands of children and families across Dudley.," she said.

"If a private company does only what’s required by the tender, we could see a drastic reduction in inclusive activities and accessible play,”

She said the proposed tender stipulated a minimum of two dedicated sessions per week, including one on Saturday, compared to the current five sessions a week.

The tender only required one session per week for children with disabilities, and only one toddler session.

She said it made no requirements for birthday parties, and did not specify any controls on the price of activities, or activities for Sundays and bank holidays.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said the authority was ‘100 percent committed to ensuring the centre is available to communities and families’.

He added: “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.” 

The council said having a community organisation running the centre would help it develop in future years.

Councillor Wayne Little, Dudley cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Sycamore is a much loved and well-used centre with the community at its heart which is why we want it to be community led.

“We’ve taken it as far as we can, we think that a community partner with passion and vision could make it even better.”