Saturday, August 06, 2011

Church leaders in row with council over community base

CHURCH leaders say Swindon Council is standing in the way of their plans to convert a former day centre into a community hub for Rodbourne

The Liberal Catholic Apostolic Church in Swindon wants to change the empty former Greenbridge Day Centre, in Morris Street, into a place were everyone can worship and hold events.

But church leaders say the council, which owns the building, is demanding £8,500 a year in rent, plus a £5,500 deposit and £600 in legal fees, which the group cannot pay without incurring massive debts.

Now the church is delivering 1,500 leaflets to homes in the area asking for support and feedback on the plans. 

It has also launched an online petition to encourage the council to reduce its offer.

Parish priest the Rev Mark Paris said: “I think it’s extortionate. When we did our figures, because we do have donations coming into the church, we said we could probably afford about £5,000 a year quite comfortably, but the council weren’t interested.

“It was originally £9,000 and they said they will not go any lower than £8,500. And it’s ridiculous for a charity organisation that isn’t even established yet. Where can we get that finance?

“It makes us so angry that people are recognising us but we don’t get support from our own council to allow us to do this for the people of Swindon.”

The church, a voluntary ecumenical organisation which has about 40 regular members, has been meeting on Sundays in the homes of members while it seeks a permanent base.

The plan is to use the former day centre, which has been out of use for 18 months and was only refurbished three years ago, for sociable events as well as for religious services, including weddings, civil partnerships, baptisms and confirmations.

Mr Paris said a bank loan was not an option because, as the organisation is new and does not have a long credit history, the repayment terms were not good.

The church will be asking for financial help from large businesses with a local presence, such as Nationwide building society.

Mr Paris said: “Talking with the residents, the say it would bring back the community meetings they used to have in there. They have also asked us as an independent organisation to offer events for the youth because of damage they are causing down at the local park. They want to see the old folks’ dinners come back, coffee mornings, a place to get together.”

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “The council’s rents are set according to the typical market rate.

“We’re not in a position to give discounts to organisations simply on the basis that they can’t afford to pay the full amount – it wouldn’t be fair to those that are, and we also have a duty to council-tax payers to obtain a realistic income from our assets.”

The leaflet and online petition can be viewed at www.benedictus-fellowship.co.uk. 

To comment, people can also call the church on 01793 329655 or email revdparis@hotmail.com