Report of the Head of Community and Environmental Services

There will be a presentation from the operator of Orbital Community Centre.

The Leisure and Community Section Head informed the scrutiny committee that this item formed part of the rolling programme of presentations from the organisations operating the community centres. 

Orbital Community Centre – One YMCA

A video was shown highlighting the different groups at the community centre and the activities available. 

Bernie Harewood gave a presentation setting out information about the community centre; covering

·       Operational information about the centre

·       Usage of the community centre, including footfall increases since 2013

·       User groups, including Oxford Study circle, the U3A, Herts NHS Trust

·       Activities – exercise and dance, education, social/meetings, health awareness, cafés and worship

·       User information – ethnic diversity, age, gender and address profile

The Chair noted that there had been no financial information included in the presentation.

Bernie Harewood informed councillors that the organisation received funding from the council and also raised income through the bookings it received.  She advised that she could provide the scrutiny committee with this information. 

Following a further question later in the meeting, the Leisure and Community Section Head advised that the organisation received £70,000 annually through the current commissioning framework.  This was a management fee to the YMCA for running the venue.  The organisation decided on how to use the venue.  He explained that the end of year report would be presented to the scrutiny committee at its November meeting.

Councillor Williams thanked the representatives for their presentation and he had enjoyed the video showing some of the different user groups.  He stated that his daughter attended ballet classes at the venue.  He said that Bernie was excellent she took control and looked after everyone.  There was a great atmosphere at the centre.  He asked how the Butterfly café was settling in and for the biggest challenges she envisaged for the future.

Bernie Harewood explained that the Butterfly café had started in June.  It had moved from Hemel Hempstead.  It was on its way to becoming a successful organisation.  They were planning events for the summer holidays.  The crèche was a wonderful facility for the area.  It was bringing additional footfall, particularly during the quieter summer months at the centre.

Bernie Harewood said that the biggest challenge for Orbital Community Centre would be if the funding was taken away.  The centre would likely struggle.

Following a question about publicity, Bernie Harewood advised that marketing had never been robust at the centre.  The Oxford Study Centre’s arrival had changed the dynamics of the centre.  People often found out about activities by word of mouth.  There were repeat bookings.  More weekend parties would be welcomed.  The centre was located in a tight knit community which was very supportive of the community centre.  She added that a new manager had started who would be developing a marketing strategy.

Bernie Harewood explained that the centre did not offer discounts for local residents, however it did offer a loyalty rate for regular user.  There was also a charity rate for charitable organisations.  The NHS Trust benefitted from this rate.

The representatives were thanked for attending the meeting, giving their presentation and responding to councillors’ questions.