Decision Maker: Assistant Director Adult Social Care and Safeguarding.
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Askern Community Hub (ACH) is a registered
charity based in what was Askern Community Library. ACH operates as
a community resource including: library, conversation point and
importantly offers the utilisation of upstairs rooms for a number
of local community groups. The primary aim of the Hub is to offer a
safe community space and an environment that is about enabling and
empowering local people to access the local resource. The Hub
through its community offer addresses social isolation and
loneliness. As a conversation point, people can attend the library
to receive advice and guidance around housing, benefits, local
services, volunteering opportunities, employment advice and support
and a multitude of other support services. The Hub has a friendly
and relaxed environment for local people to meet and socialise,
whether they are part of an established group or not.
The large upstairs room, which groups use for weekly activities and
other events, has a ventilation system that the ACH have been
informed is inadequate, therefore the group activities have had to
cease until such time when a new ventilation system is installed.
This funding will pay for a new ventilation system and fitting.
Once fitted the community will be able to use the space again.
Without this, the ACH cannot provide the space for the community
groups. ACH is a popular space for residents to gather, for example
in the first three months of 2019, ACH had 3,236 visitors.
Additionally, the number of groups and the length of time many of
these groups have been operation is testament to how necessary this
Hub is to the local community. Currently individuals are unable to
benefit from attending activities and this may, if it not
addressed, impact negatively on their wellbeing. Attendees have
stated that since the activities have ceased they have noticed
negative effects on their mental and physical health. It is
therefore imperative that the wok required upstairs in the Hub is
undertaken at the earliest.
To support the purchase and installation of a
ventilation system at Askern Community Hub. The system is required
to enable the continued access of the upstairs rooms at the hub for
local community groups. If the application for funding is not
supported, then for health and safety reasons the upstairs room
cannot be used.
Option 1 – Do nothing.
This is not an option as the top floor of a well utilised community
building will not be accessible due to health and safety
reasons.
Option 2 – Support the application to fund the purchase and
installation of a ventilation system.
This is the preferred option as it will enable the community
building to be utilised to its full potential and
importantly
Publication date: 13/11/2019
Date of decision: 14/10/2019
Accompanying Documents: