YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN DISS

Introduction

In late 2023, the Diss Youth and Community Centre (‘DYCC’) on Shelfanger Road was closed following the discovery of reinforced aerated autoclave concrete (“RAAC”) in the building.

Diss Town Council is considering the current and potential future use of the DYCC and its other key properties, specifically the Town Council Offices and Diss Sports Ground.

There are various options available. Most require significant investment. Whilst grants would be applied for, it is anticipated that the Council would have to borrow money to make up any shortfall, which would need to be repaid.

The Town Council wants to ensure that the option selected provides facilities and activities that meet the needs of the local community and does not duplicate existing community provision in the town; such as the planned Leisure Hub development by South Norfolk District Council.

The Town Council recognises that it will take some time to consider options and intends to use the next six months to explore those.

As a first step, the Town Council is inviting local residents to complete a brief survey to gain an initial understanding of local opinion and to help inform further work to be carried out.

Hard copies of the survey will be available at the drop-in sessions planned at Morrisons supermarket between 10am and midday on 29th & 30th of November and 13th & 14th of December. We will also be on the Market Place on Friday 20th December 10am – midday.

Copies will also be available from the Town Council Offices. Please contact towncouncil@diss.gov.uk or 01379 643848.

An online version of the survey is available at https://www.diss.gov.uk/diss-youth-community-centre.

We are very grateful for your time and feedback.

Question Title

* 1. Have you or any member of your household been affected by the closure of the DYCC?

Yes

Question Title

* 2. Do you think providing refurbished or new youth and community facilities in Diss is a good and worthwhile idea?

Yes

Don't Know

Question Title

* 3. How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Neither Agree nor Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
Any investment should create facilities which are attractive and relevant to young people	Any investment should create facilities which are attractive and relevant to young people Strongly Disagree	Any investment should create facilities which are attractive and relevant to young people Disagree	Any investment should create facilities which are attractive and relevant to young people Neither Agree nor Disagree	Any investment should create facilities which are attractive and relevant to young people Agree	Any investment should create facilities which are attractive and relevant to young people Strongly Agree
Refurbished or new facilities should be flexible and enable use by a wide range of community groups	Refurbished or new facilities should be flexible and enable use by a wide range of community groups Strongly Disagree	Refurbished or new facilities should be flexible and enable use by a wide range of community groups Disagree	Refurbished or new facilities should be flexible and enable use by a wide range of community groups Neither Agree nor Disagree	Refurbished or new facilities should be flexible and enable use by a wide range of community groups Agree	Refurbished or new facilities should be flexible and enable use by a wide range of community groups Strongly Agree
We should not be providing facilities that already exist or are planned in the town	We should not be providing facilities that already exist or are planned in the town Strongly Disagree	We should not be providing facilities that already exist or are planned in the town Disagree	We should not be providing facilities that already exist or are planned in the town Neither Agree nor Disagree	We should not be providing facilities that already exist or are planned in the town Agree	We should not be providing facilities that already exist or are planned in the town Strongly Agree

Question Title

* 4. How much extra Council tax* would the billpayer be prepared to pay to help pay back any borrowed money required to refurbish or rebuild the DYCC?

*N.B. the current annual Town Council element of the Council Tax bill is £235.43.

None

£1-£10 per household annum

£10-£25 per household per annum

£25-£50 per household per annum

More than £50 per household per annum

Not applicable (for non-Diss residents)

YOUTH AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN DISS

Introduction

Question Title

* 1. Have you or any member of your household been affected by the closure of the DYCC?

Question Title

* 2. Do you think providing refurbished or new youth and community facilities in Diss is a good and worthwhile idea?

Question Title

* 3. How much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

Question Title

* 4. How much extra Council tax* would the billpayer be prepared to pay to help pay back any borrowed money required to refurbish or rebuild the DYCC?*N.B. the current annual Town Council element of the Council Tax bill is £235.43.

* 4. How much extra Council tax* would the billpayer be prepared to pay to help pay back any borrowed money required to refurbish or rebuild the DYCC?

*N.B. the current annual Town Council element of the Council Tax bill is £235.43.