Brentwood Liberal Democrats concern for local community groups from Bishops Hill closure
Brentwood Liberal Democrats fear proposals to end adult education at popular Adult Community Learning Centre will leave community groups homeless.
Essex County Council has closed the Bishops Hill Adult Community Learning Centre in Hutton, sparking concerns among residents and community groups who use the facility, many of whom are elderly, and some of whom are vulnerable.
In April, Councillor Tony Ball, the Cabinet member responsible for that service, wrote to Councillor Barry Aspinell, the leader of the Council, informing him of plans to review the service, as there was no need for a physical building to deliver ACL in.
Ball said adopting “an outreach approach” to ACL would lead to better outcomes for local people, claiming this would lower delivery costs at other nearby venues. He mentioned that “the current Bishops Hill site is being significantly underused and operating at a net loss,” but did not provide evidence for these claims. Residents believe that ACL Bishops Hill has been poorly marketed by ECC in previous years, while staff working at the site have been disappointed by its closure.
He also suggested – but did not guarantee - the service would “expand into other venues, including schools and libraries”, possibly including Brentwood Town Hall, Brentwood Library, St Peter’s Church, Hutton (for digital learning), and Hutton Community Centre, as well as ECL Walter Boyce Centre (for supported learning)
ECC is reviewing the site for use as offices, but nothing has been said about its future community use.
Residents have reacted angrily to the news, setting up an Action Group to preserve access to the site, including its Hall, arguing that closing the site, which is situated on the former Hutton Poplars School, would detrimentally affect many community groups.
Groups, such as the U3A, are furious about it as they hold their meetings at the Hall and nowhere else locally can hold their numbers. A physical petition and online version have been set up for residents to record their views, while an Action Group has been created. Over 3,000 signatures have been collected so far.
Since the site's closure at the end of July, residents have come to realise that many ACL assets, including chairs, are now being reallocated to other sites, leaving the building a shell of its former self. Nor is it clear what measures have been taken to prevent vandalism at the site.
They have urged ECC to reconsider closing the Bishops Hill site and to continue allowing community groups to book it. These groups include Hutton U3A (450+ members), Brentwood Busketeers Choir, Brentwood Philharmonic Orchestra, Essex Chamber Orchestra, and Mid-Essex Model Railway Club.
Councillor Barry Aspinell said: “I am concerned to hear about the potential closure of the ACL site in Hutton, which I know many residents in Shenfield, in my Division, use for various recreational activities, and I will be speaking to my colleagues at Essex County Council as well as fellow Brentwood councillors about this.”
He added: "In the medium term, given local government reorganisation, this is a building which may be coming into our control, as a legacy that needs to be assessed, surveyed and understood.”
“I see that residents are seeking to list the property as an Asset of Community Value, as they did in Shenfield with the new Shenfield Library site, which application I fully supported, as did my Shenfield and Hutton East ward colleagues. We will support this application too”
Councillor David Worsfold said: “This is disappointing news, and I am surprised that the new facilities at Shenfield Library are not included in the community-based venues. I support the petition and look forward to speaking to the Action Group to learn how we can help. The site has given great support for the arts in Brentwood, as well as being a much-loved site for many community groups, including pensioner-led ones. The lack of consultation with these groups over the closure is shocking”
Councillor Ben Rigby, who represents Hutton East, said: “Having used the facilities myself, I am sorry to see ACL Bishops Hill close, particularly after recently hosting our temporary library during the Shenfield Library rebuild.”
He concluded: “I urge residents to complete the petition.”
