Issue - meetings

That Cabinet:

a)      agree to refocus Chatham Court Hub to continue providing a base for the community but increase strategic partnership working in and around Newark Town Centre, specifically on high ASB hot spot housing and communal areas;

b)      agree to rename the facility “Newark Partnership Hub”;

c)       approve funding for 24 months as a pilot under its new remit and allow an application to the Pride of Place scheme; and

d)      note the continuation of HRA financial support of £11,000 per annum from existing budgets.

The District Housing Manager presented a report which provided a review of the Chatham Court facility with a proposal to refocus the hub providing a base for partners and the community. It was recommended that the facility be renamed the ‘Newark Partnership Hub’ which would see a transformation into a wider strategic base for dealing with anti-social behaviour and criminality as well as still allowing a community base to flourish in the area. The objectives were to encourage joint working with the police to identify joint initiatives to tackle issues across the town centre and, in particular, at key housing sites.

AGREED     (unanimously) that Cabinet:

a)           agree to refocus Chatham Court Hub to continue providing a base for the community but increase strategic partnership working in and around Newark Town Centre, specifically on high ASB hot spot housing and communal areas;

b)          agree to rename the facility “Newark Partnership Hub”;

c)           approve funding for 24 months as a pilot under its new remit and allow an application to the Pride of Place scheme; and

d)          note the continuation of HRA financial support of £11,000 per annum from existing budgets.

Reasons for Decision:

To provide a wider focus for the community and strategic partnership working in and around Newark Town Centre.

Options Considered:

Continuing use of the facilities at Chatham Court Hub on the same basis for a further 12 months, post March 2026.

Wind-up and decommission the Hub and return to residential accommodation using capital budget of circa £40,000 from within the Investment Programme resources.