Town Council backs Community Centre refurbishment

Stratford Town Council has agreed to stump up £20,000 towards the refurbishment of the Ken Kennett Community Centre in an effort to get the project moving quickly.

The council agreed to underwrite £20,000 of the £40,000 needed to fund the refurbishment at Tuesday’s full council meeting, on the understanding that the money will be repaid once section 106 funds become available.

Stratford District Council are yet to decide whether the match the town council’s funding commitment to the centre but are expected to make a decision soon.

Provided the district council agree to do this, work on the Justins Avenue centre will be able to start immediately.

Cllr Jason Fojtik, town and district councillor for the Clopton ward, said: “I’m absolutely delighted and I welcome the decision the town council have made, it’s really good news. I’m so pleased that they have chosen to support the centre and the residents of Clopton and the surrounding areas.

“This money will allow the work to take place and for Springfield Mind to come in and manage the property and do the work they need to do.

“By providing this funding now it will speed up how quickly we can progress on the refurbishment as otherwise we may have to wait for 12 or 24 months for the section 106 money to become available.”

Speaking after the council’s decision Stratford mayor Cllr Juliet Short said: “This is an excellent outcome to something that I know is very close to this council’s hearts.”

The Ken Kennet Community Centre has been closed since April with the Clopton Community Forum citing management costs and reduced bookings at the centre for its closure.