Janine GriffithsThe future of two community centres in Leeds has been secured after their management was transferred to local charities.
Leeds City Council has approved Community Asset Transfers for the Mandela Centre in Chapeltown and Ebor Gardens Community Centre.
Cultural organisation RJC Dance will take over the Mandela Centre on Chapeltown Road on a lease of up to 50 years.
The organisation is already based at the centre and is part of Leeds West Indian Carnival.
RJC Dance has operated from the building for around 10 years and has already invested in improvements.
A council report said the transfer is expected to strengthen the centre’s role as a hub for arts, culture, sport and community activity.
It will also support continued access for existing users and community organisations.
Project Hope Leeds will take over Ebor Gardens Community Centre on Haslewood Drive on a 25-year term.
The organisation works with disadvantaged communities to tackle poverty and has operated in the area for around 15 years.
The transfer is expected to address declining use of the centre and the deterioration of the building.
Plans include making greater use of the building through meeting space, community activities and services designed around local needs.
Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Labour councillor Asghar Khan said Project Hope was trusted within the community.
He told the meeting: “We trust them. Their plan is to work with local groups to make Ebor Gardens Community Centre a thriving centre once again.”
Labour councillor Mohammed Rafique, who represents Chapel Allerton, also welcomed the Mandela Centre transfer.
He said: “They have already assumed significant responsibility for the building. As councillors we support the community transfer.”
The transfers were agreed by the council’s executive board after both organisations submitted bids to take charge of the centres.
The council said the arrangements would create savings and reduce future maintenance costs for the authority.
Both transfers were agreed at a meeting at Leeds Civic Hall on Wednesday.
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