On your bike! - Redditch Borough Council - Worcestershire Hub

Countryside Centre’s
future to be secured
COUNCILLORS have taken a major step
forward in securing the long term future of
Arrow Valley Countryside Centre as one of the
town’s most cherished public assets.
After years of having to make budget
cutbacks and not being in a position to
develop the true educational and leisure
potential of the Centre, councillors have
accepted that they are not necessarily the
best people to manage `this fantastic facility`
for the long term.
At a recent Full Council meeting, a decision
was taken to seek outside management
expertise to run the centre on behalf of the
Council and the people of Redditch, with the
centre continuing to be owned by the Council.
Councillors will be looking for the new
managers-who will lease the facility -to invest
in the building, safeguard popular and existing
events and courses, and generally to enhance
the Centre’s status at the hub of the country park.
Community Centres’
role ‘at the centre of
things’ under review
THE role and purpose of the Council’s six
Community Centres spread throughout the
Borough are being reviewed at the request
of councillors, to ensure they are best able
to meet the needs of current and potential
users, and provide value for money for
residents as a whole.
The Community Centres are based at
Batchley, Matchborough East (Soft Play
Facility), Oakenshaw, Windmill Centre
(Crabbs Cross), Winyates Barn and
Winyates Green.
They offer a varied programme of activities
including pre school sessions, martial arts,
health recovery fitness programmes,
toddler groups and leisure time activities
from line dancing to choir singing.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Carole Gandy said:
“It’s a great facility, but it needs to be much
more than just a loo and a brew stop.
“There is no doubt that the Centre has drifted
away from its original concept and needs
revitalising, by Experts who can develop
outdoor activities and further the excellent
events and courses we provide at the moment.
“And as one of our undoubted `jewels in the
crown`, it needs to be doing much more for
the town if we are to increase the number of
visitors to Redditch and raise our profile.
“This move, which will see a rigorous contract
drawn up between the Council and new
managers, will safeguard the things we cherish,
but also see a much needed refurbishment
inside the Centre.”
Residents (and visitors) should see the new
management take the reins from April 2011.
Countryside Centre staff and our partners are
being consulted about the changes.
Centre staff work in partnership with the
Council’s Action Sport team, the voluntary
sector, other agencies and local communities.
They provide voluntary sector support and a
focal point for community activities
In fact, why not visit your local Community
Centre or call for further information on (01527)
534125. And if you are a community group
and are looking for somewhere to meet up,
staff would especially like to hear from you.
Look out too for our joint working media
project coming to a Community
Centre near you soon,
in partnership
with Kingfisher
FM community
radio for Redditch
and Within Reach
Media `Film
Production, Film
Network and Film
Love`.
Next stop the
Country Park!
VISITORS to Arrow Valley Country
Park can now leave their cars at
home and take the bus to
Redditch’s award-winning park.
As reported in the press, the
Council has installed a new bus
stop in Battens Drive and
created a new footpath from
the road to the Countryside
Centre to help bus passengers
access the park easily.
Visitors will now be able to use
the Hardings Coaches number
60 as well as First’s Service 52 to
get to the park. Both buses will
run hourly from Redditch bus
station and stop in Battens
Drive.
For independent travel advice
and help planning journeys by
bus, call Traveline on 0871 200
22 33.
Photo: All aboard for the Country Park
Fun for
young and
old at your
local
community
centre
6 Redditch matters
Redditch Borough Council