Latest news with #YCYS
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Charity to take on ownership of community centre in Paisley after sale given green light
Your Community Your Space had its community asset transfer for the facility in Shortroods Road approved on Wednesday. A charitable organisation is set to take on the ownership of Beechwood Community Centre in Paisley after its sale was given the green light. Your Community Your Space (YCYS) had its community asset transfer (CAT) request for the facility in Shortroods Road approved by councillors on Wednesday. The decision on the £5,000 bid was confirmed at Renfrewshire Council's CAT sub-committee, having been continued previously to secure advice on conditions that could be included to protect public interest in the building. Among the stipulations agreed is that the asset may only be used as a community centre for the benefit of the immediate Shortroods community and wider Paisley area. The applicant must offer or facilitate delivery of activities which meet the learning, social or wellbeing needs of the community or as are requested from time to time; permit others to hire or use space in the centre for the delivery of activities which meet those same needs; and allow members of the community to hire the space for community events and social use. Councillor Iain McMillan, a Labour representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie, said at the meeting: "Obviously we had this on the agenda before and there were some concerns over it. "I'm still not 100 per cent convinced, to be perfectly honest with you, but I think the proposed conditions do give me a bit of comfort. "Shortroods needs and deserves a community space. There might not be anybody particularly interested in using it right now but that's not to say tomorrow somebody might start a group and be looking for somewhere to go. "I certainly need to know that the Beechwood [Community] Centre is available to other groups." Councillor Michelle Campbell, convener of the sub-committee and an SNP representative for Erskine and Inchinnan, said she was of the "same view". She added: "I think, as ever with these sort of things, you're never going to feel 100 per cent comfortable with it for all the reasons that you've expressed at the previous meeting and today as well but I am looking to agree the recommendations." In its application, YCYS said it wants to use the community centre to drive its mission of "empowering and connecting" with the community through support services aimed at addressing physical, mental and other social needs. Councillors on the sub-committee agreed to authorise the council's head of economy and development, as well as the head of corporate governance, to conclude the sale in accordance with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. A report, which was considered at the meeting, said Beechwood Community Centre has been valued at £100,000 by the local authority and, therefore, the offer of £5,000 represented a discount of 95 per cent. The paper added: "This is offset against a range of community benefits, most significantly, of keeping the asset operating as a community centre for the benefit of the local community. "In addition, asset transfer of the asset will generate revenue savings to the council of over £33,000 per annum and estimated short and long-term repair costs in excess of £750,000."
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Asset transfer sale on the cards for Paisley community centre
Your Community Your Space is set to find out if its community asset transfer request for the facility has been successful. A charitable organisation could take on the ownership of Beechwood Community Centre in Paisley – if a sale is given the green light by elected members next week. Your Community Your Space (YCYS) is set to find out if its community asset transfer (CAT) request for the facility in Shortroods Road has been successful on Wednesday. A final decision is expected to be made on the £5,000 bid at the CAT sub-committee, having been continued from a previous meeting to secure advice on conditions that could be included to protect public interest in the 54-year-old building. In its application, YCYS has said it wants to use the community centre to drive its mission of "empowering and connecting" with the community through support services aimed at addressing physical, mental and other social needs. It added: "The transfer of the Beechwood Community Centre to Your Community Your Space is aimed at also securing the long-term sustainability of the centre which has successfully been managed and has remained one of the core attractions to the community since its incorporation in 1971. "YCYS aim to build on the existing legacy as an inclusive and adaptable community hub." Councillors on the sub-committee have been recommended to agree to the sale of the community centre via asset transfer to YCYS but to do so subject to a series of conditions. They have also been asked to authorise Renfrewshire Council's head of economy and development, as well as the head of corporate governance, to conclude the sale in accordance with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. A report, which will be considered at Wednesday's meeting, said Beechwood Community Centre has been valued at £100,000 by the local authority and, therefore, the offer of £5,000 represents a discount of 95 per cent. The paper added: "This is offset against a range of community benefits, most significantly, of keeping the asset operating as a community centre for the benefit of the local community. "In addition, asset transfer of the asset will generate revenue savings to the council of over £33,000 per annum and estimated short and long-term repair costs in excess of £750,000."
