New deal secures future for two community centres

The future of two community centres has been secured after Leeds City Council agreed to lease the buildings to local charities.

Cultural organisation RJC Dance, part of Leeds West Indian Carnival, will take over the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown, on a lease of up to 50 years.

Meanwhile, Project Hope Leeds, which helps disadvantaged communities tackle poverty, will run the Ebor Gardens centre, on Haslewood Drive, on a 25-year term.

A council report said the transfers would make savings for the authority and relieve it of future maintenance costs.

The report said RJC Dance had operated from the building for "approximately ten years and has already invested in improvements to the centre".

It added: "The proposal is expected to strengthen the Mandela Centre's role as a hub for arts, culture, sport and community activity, while supporting continued access for existing users and community organisations."

The Ebor Gardens transfer was expected to reverse declining use of the centre and a deterioration in the building's condition, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said: "The proposal also includes plans to make greater use of the building through the provision of meeting space, community activities and services designed to address local needs."

Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Labour councillor Asghar Khan said Project Hope had been operating in the community for around 15 years.

He told the meeting: "We trust them. Their plan is to work with local groups to make Ebor Gardens Community Centre a thriving centre once again".

Labour's Mohammed Rafique, who represents Chapel Allerton, welcomed the Mandela Centre transfer.

He said: "They have already assumed significant responsibility for the building. As councillors, we support the community transfer."

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