Councillors at Wednesday (10.10.07) evening’s Cabinet meeting were updated on the community support activity being provided for the Peveril Street Boxing Club, which is owned by Ashfield District Council and leased to the club.

The Cabinet heard that the building is currently in a very poor state and that the club, which provides boxing and exercise activities to in excess of 60 young people, is struggling to fund repairs and meet operating costs.

However, the Coalfield Regeneration Trust (CRT) has notified the Council that there is potentially grant funding available to fully fund the upgrade of this facility and Council officers have been providing support to the group to survey the building, prepare improvement plans and develop a business plan which is an essential part of the funding bid.

Andrew Smith, Head of Community and Economic Promotions explained that the funding criteria also require a lease of at least a twenty year period.

“It is expected that the CRT Board will determine the funding application in November and if successful the grant will need to be spent by March 2008,” he said.

He added that in order to ensure that the group and their activities are financially sustainable the rental level of the facility will need to be reviewed in light of the new business plan.

“This will be considered as part of the renegotiation of the lease between the Council and the club. The new lease will reflect what the club can reasonably sustain to continue delivering this valuable community service”.

Mr Smith commented that,

“the Council is committed to assisting important community groups such as the boxing club at Peveril Street which delivers an extremely important service to the local community and to young people in particular.”