'We feel betrayed' - South Tyneside community centre chiefs demand inquiry after council blow

A community centre’s bosses have told of their betrayal over plans to strip them of their management powers after a near decade-long leasing dispute – and called for an inquiry.

Leaders at Clegwell and Hartleyburn CIO in Hebburn say they are “dismayed” by what they claim are blatant inaccuracies in South Tyneside Council’s reasoning behind the move.

This week, the council revealed it planned to switch the running of the CIO’s two close-together sites to Hebburn Comprehensive School.

It claimed the CIO is incurring significant taxpayer funded costs and had not demonstrated a sustainable business plan.

The council owns most of the land and building assets but day-to-day operations have been run by the CIO under a gentleman’s agreement since lease negotiations began in 2017 but faltered.

CIO chiefs insist they have desperately attempted to negotiate a 40-year lease but now believe they have been deliberately thwarted.

They also rubbished the council's claim that its work was costing taxpayers money, insisting it had received no cash backing for several years.

Chief executive James Trainer, 50, said the bombshell news was given when its trustees met with council officers on Wednesday, November 4 to discuss what they thought was progress around the lease.

He said: “After reviewing the council’s press release, we are dismayed by the inaccuracies within the document.

“We feel very frustrated with this decision. We feel that an independent review needs to take place with an external body.

“Not in our wildest dreams did we anticipate that nearly ten years later, we were still negotiating the lease.

“We have always been pursuing the lease, and delays have been with Hebburn Comprehensive and the council.

“The council has done things to delay – I believe there is a hidden agenda.

“We have always done our best for the community and have battled for year after year for the lease. We feel betrayed.”

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Mr Trainer said initial discussions were complicated by the lease having to take account the school having access to several of the CIO's rooms during term time.

He said this became a sticking point after the school requested longer access in case the government changed the timing of the school day.

By 2023, he insisted all parties had reached an agreement to proceed with the lease, before a further delay put that back to last April.

During this period, the CIO won a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and was given the Freedom of the Borough for its work.

Mr Trainer said the CIO had provided numerous activities, including dancing, rock climbing, squash, pantomimes, sewing groups, basketball, martial arts, an art club, a ladies’ section, and football groups.

Other support has included for adults with disabilities, parents and toddlers, youth work, after school and holiday clubs for working parents, and a nursery.

Mr Trainer added: “Clegwell and Hartleyburn has not had any financial support from the council for a number of years, when the then two cabinet members revoked the funding due to the lack of a lease.

“We have also invested in solar panels for the building as well as upgrading the facilities over the years.

“Other than the backlog of repairs to the council’s building, which was agreed to be completed, outstanding up to date, Clegwell and Hartleyburn have been financially independent from the council for several years.

“In respect of not running the facility responsibly, we have done everything to support the community of Hebburn.

“During COVID we went and bought over £30,000 of food for food banks across South Tyneside.

“We also provided hot meals for the Young People, afternoon teas and Christmas hampers for the vulnerable who were isolating.

“We are currently attempting to get planning permission for a dedicated boxing hut for our boxing club.

“The CIO are also home to Clegwell FC who provide opportunities for all children of all abilities. So, we cannot see how we are not acting responsibly.

“We are asking our community, groups and users of the facilities to support us moving forward.”