Decision details

Approval of the Capital budget for the Southside Youth Centre Regeneration Project.

The Cabinet Member agreed to:

Approve the Capital budget allocation of £2,081,000 for the capital redevelopment of Southside Youth Centre as part of the government world class MYPLACE programme. Note the on going good work linked to the MYPLACE funding.

There are very limited other organisations and few buildings in the area for organisations working with the community and young people. The grant funding available will enable the refurbishment of the existing centre so that it becomes a focus for the community and young people promoting a sense of identity. The funding available will enable refurbishment to a very high class standard with its main focus on young people. The project is fully grant funded and the money would need to be returned if it were not to be used for this project.

A total rebuild was considered, but the cost would have been in the region of A34 to A35 million and there is no prospect in the short to medium term of securing the additional funding required To do nothing was considered, but the building would eventually need to be demolished as it would become unsafe. This was deemed unacceptable to young people, the wider community and other stakeholders. In addition Grant Funding has been secured for the project and not proceeding would result in the loss of this funding.