Purpose

This report follows the decision approved on 5th November 2025, “CIL Award for Abbey Community Centre”, which allocated £60,000 to Abbey Community Centre for the financial year 2025/2026. That funding provided short-term financial stability while further work was undertaken to understand and address the operating cost pressures associated with the new building.

Abbey Community Centre continues to experience significant financial pressures as a result of higher operating costs associated with the community building delivered through the Community Investment Programme. These pressures are structural and reflect the nature of operating modern community facilities.

This report seeks approval for a time-limited period of transitional funding to support the operating costs of Abbey Community Centre for 2026/27 and 2027/28, building on the support provided in 2025/26. The decision falls within the Executive Director Corporate Services delegated authority under the Council’s Constitution, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resilience.

Decision

THAT, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Resilience, the allocation of £60,000 per annum to Abbey Community Centre for financial years 2026/27 and 2027/28, with a review between January 2027 and March 2027, be approved to provide time-limited transitional support towards the operating costs of the building.