A vital community centre looks to have had its future secured thanks to a slice of nearly £12M worth of funding. The John Holt Community Centre at Washacre has been a lifeline for hundreds of families across the town thanks to the work of the Westhoughton Assist Service. The group warned the future of the centre could be at risk without improvements to the walls and windows, but Bolton Council has now said it is committed to the facility’s future.
Council cabinet member for property Cllr Sue Haworth said: “At the John Holt Centre the current tenant, on a long lease from the council, is WAVE CIC. “There were grounds to severe the lease last year. Bolton Council has approved nearly £12M for building maintenance across the borough (Image: Newsquest) “But another community group in Westhoughton, Westhoughton Community Assist WCA were running their service from a car park in the rain, wind and snow and were knocking on the council property services door asking for rescue.
“We found some space for them at the John Holt Centre. “Believe me finding space in the council’s community buildings is not easy as there are a limited number and they are well leased. “Shortly after WCA moved into the centre, senior property officers were able to support WAVE CIC with the lease, as members of WCA joined the board of WAVE.
” The Westhoughton Assist Service has run out of the John Holt Centre for the last six months. The organisation was started in 2020 by Janet Colley who alongside volunteers like coordinator Lesley Monks provides a range of essential services. This has included a social shop which lets families stock up for a small sum every week.
Cllr Haworth says that the council will aim to guarantee the centre’s future thanks to part of £11.59M of funding for building maintenance all over Bolton. She approved this last October and says that it will be used on condition surveys and security improvements for more than 100 buildings across the borough.
Cllr Haworth said: “The council has had enquiries of late asking who owns the John Holt Centre and what rights users of the building have in terms of the building structures, fixtures and fittings. “Tenancy with the council comes with legal agreements including heads of terms. “If some of these arrangements today are of old, groups or Community Interest Companies can contact the property services to better understand the terms they have with the council .
ALSO READ: Centre at the heart of the community at risk unless it raises thousands towards work ALSO READ: New banking hub 'will make huge difference' to town left with no bank branches ALSO READ: John Holt Community Centre needs £3,500 to achieve its dream “In terms of window replacement or other notable building changes inside and out, this would need full council approval and the council is continuing with its ownership obligations of the centre going forward.” She added: “I was in Westhoughton last week with local Cllr John McHugh updating about the upkeep of the councils buildings in the town. “Condition surveys can take place as required and we know that some buildings can look bad in terms of paint and wear and tear but can be structurally quite solid and secure.
“Many tenant groups fundraise for running costs such as rent, equipment and provision for families and individuals and I commend Westhoughton Community Assist for all their commitment to the community and Westhoughton since 2020.”.
