Community centre plans 'stalled by council'
BBC/Andy WatsonA charity has claimed a local council has "stalled plans" to transform a forgotten community centre.
Active Families submitted proposals to convert Southwick Community Centre into a soft play and community cafe last year, but despite being awarded the building in April, no work has been allowed to take place.
Kelly Brougham, director of the charity, said: "We've been left waiting, despite securing £500,000 to help transform this building into a space the community can be proud of."
Labour-led Sunderland City Council said it was reviewing its community asset policy, which is why the lease was put on hold.
A council spokesperson said: "Active Families was identified as the highest-scoring bidder at evaluation stage but no lease has been entered into, and no legally binding agreement has been completed."
Active Families, which runs a number of community wellness and fitness groups across the North East, has been based in Washington since 2017.
"We love Sunderland and want what is best for Southwick," Brougham said, adding: "I'm just disappointed that a council, which promotes health and wellbeing, isn't supporting us and this project."
Amy Swan said she hoped the council would allow the charity to "transform" the building in the near future.
"This could be the heart of a community, we've been out on the streets and everyone is for this, it's a rebirth of Southwick."
The charity has begun to petition residents to see if they would support the plans to convert the centre into a soft play space.
Lisa Bailey, who lives in Southwick with her two-year-old son, said: "It would be amazing, you've got nothing like that round here. We always need to get a bus anywhere.
"I've signed the petition and I know more families round here will too."
Active Families said it believed the decision was put on hold due to the feelings of some councillors, who it claimed wanted to revoke the decision and re-tender the building with a stipulation that only Southwick-based organisations could apply.
Sunderland City Council emphasised the "pause" was part of a broader policy review, to ensure its policies relating to community assets were clear, consistent and reflective of community priorities across the city.
"We acknowledge Active Families has invested time and resources into the tender process, and we appreciate the work undertaken by all organisations that expressed an interest in the building," the spokesperson added.
"However, until a formal agreement is completed, the council must retain the ability to review its position in line with emerging policy considerations.
"We will update Active Families once the policy review has concluded."
