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Old Catton Parish Council
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Dear Resident
Previous public consultation was raised in 2019 regarding Community Infrastructure Levy funds (CIL) and the suggestion of building a new community centre in Old Catton. All residents were asked to complete a survey and have their say on what facilities they would like to have provided. Approximately 240 responses were received and the top results were for a social club, a café and better toilets. The Community Centre Working Group (CCWG) met to discuss all questionnaire results and consider suggestions from local clubs, organisations and general users on what a new community centre should provide. CCWG were conducting feasibility studies when lockdown ‘struck’ in March 2020.
Having considered the pandemic, the loss of usage and the loss of income of our current community buildings the Parish Council now wishes to readdress spending CIL funding for the community and whether a new building is required. Many community groups are choosing to continue using virtual means. Sadly other groups have ceased meeting altogether. Other groups have found alternative ways of meeting without using community buildings. This all highlights the changes of public usage of the existing community buildings once we all come out of lockdown and return to a more normal way of living.
The Parish Council is aware that the past year has been very difficult for many businesses, organisations and community groups and we would not wish to take any business from existing facilities by providing a new community centre. Equally the Parish Council would not want to provide a new, expensive community centre that then remained largely empty and unused.
As you are aware Old Catton currently has x4 community centres – Village Hall, Church Hall, Buxton Lodge and the Pavilion. All vary in capacity size, kitchen facilities and access but already cater for a wide range of community groups. There is also the Scout Hut on Lodge Lane. There are no indoor sports facilities within Old Catton, however good sports facilities are available in nearby Parishes (for example in Sprowston, Hellesdon and Heartsease).
The Parish Council are now proposing the CIL funds be used for the improvement of our existing community centres and not for a new building. This will ensure improvements to existing buildings can be carried out to the benefit of those already using them. This may include increasing the size and updating kitchen, or increasing the size of a meeting room, adding additional toilets, provision for equipment storage for long-term hirers, improving carpark areas, installation of interaction boards/wifi, improvements to drainage/electricity supply/roofing.
Taking into account the results of previous questionnaire the Parish Council are mindful that Old Catton residents want the option of a social club and/or a café within the village. We are considering how this can be incorporated using the existing buildings or provision of a separate smaller building but would highlight that CIL can only be used for infrastructure and the long-term management and costs of a social club or café would have to fall to a business or voluntary group running the facility.
With the above in mind we have prepared the following Questionnaire. It is important to ensure that all residents have an opportunity to voice their opinion on how these funds will be spent for the community benefit.
Please spread the word – it is only through your input that we can ensure the spending of these funds meet the need of all our Old Catton residents.
Old Catton Parish Council are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect and use the data we gather. Please see our website for full details of our Privacy Policy
Previous public consultation was raised in 2019 regarding Community Infrastructure Levy funds (CIL) and the suggestion of building a new community centre in Old Catton. All residents were asked to complete a survey and have their say on what facilities they would like to have provided. Approximately 240 responses were received and the top results were for a social club, a café and better toilets. The Community Centre Working Group (CCWG) met to discuss all questionnaire results and consider suggestions from local clubs, organisations and general users on what a new community centre should provide. CCWG were conducting feasibility studies when lockdown ‘struck’ in March 2020.
Having considered the pandemic, the loss of usage and the loss of income of our current community buildings the Parish Council now wishes to readdress spending CIL funding for the community and whether a new building is required. Many community groups are choosing to continue using virtual means. Sadly other groups have ceased meeting altogether. Other groups have found alternative ways of meeting without using community buildings. This all highlights the changes of public usage of the existing community buildings once we all come out of lockdown and return to a more normal way of living.
The Parish Council is aware that the past year has been very difficult for many businesses, organisations and community groups and we would not wish to take any business from existing facilities by providing a new community centre. Equally the Parish Council would not want to provide a new, expensive community centre that then remained largely empty and unused.
As you are aware Old Catton currently has x4 community centres – Village Hall, Church Hall, Buxton Lodge and the Pavilion. All vary in capacity size, kitchen facilities and access but already cater for a wide range of community groups. There is also the Scout Hut on Lodge Lane. There are no indoor sports facilities within Old Catton, however good sports facilities are available in nearby Parishes (for example in Sprowston, Hellesdon and Heartsease).
The Parish Council are now proposing the CIL funds be used for the improvement of our existing community centres and not for a new building. This will ensure improvements to existing buildings can be carried out to the benefit of those already using them. This may include increasing the size and updating kitchen, or increasing the size of a meeting room, adding additional toilets, provision for equipment storage for long-term hirers, improving carpark areas, installation of interaction boards/wifi, improvements to drainage/electricity supply/roofing.
Taking into account the results of previous questionnaire the Parish Council are mindful that Old Catton residents want the option of a social club and/or a café within the village. We are considering how this can be incorporated using the existing buildings or provision of a separate smaller building but would highlight that CIL can only be used for infrastructure and the long-term management and costs of a social club or café would have to fall to a business or voluntary group running the facility.
With the above in mind we have prepared the following Questionnaire. It is important to ensure that all residents have an opportunity to voice their opinion on how these funds will be spent for the community benefit.
Please spread the word – it is only through your input that we can ensure the spending of these funds meet the need of all our Old Catton residents.
Old Catton Parish Council are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect and use the data we gather. Please see our website for full details of our Privacy Policy