Council apologises for funding 'misunderstanding'

The Coalville CAN community benefit society says it is still on track to buy its current home

A community group has been told an expected £80,000 council contribution to help buy its current headquarters will no longer be paid.

North West Leicestershire District Council has been working with Coalville CAN since 2022 on a project that initially included support for the purchase of its building in Memorial Square.

A sum of £350,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) was allotted for a scheme to redevelop a former toilet block next door to CAN, into business space, with £80,000 to assist CAN in purchasing its hub.

However, the refurbishment will now take up the whole project budget.

Coalville CAN chief executive Ian Wilson says he hopes its relationship with the council can grow

Coalville CAN's chief executive Ian Wilson said despite the setback his organisation remained happy to work with anyone, adding the group could "build a better place by everyone working together".

"We have a very good relationship with many officers and councillors at the council and we want to have an even better relationship," he said.

"That has to be founded upon mutual respect and the confidence that when a commitment's made, it's kept."

"We're already working with the council on a number of other projects - and we hope that continues.

"We just hope that we can find a way to move beyond this and to find a way to have the relationship that works."

CAN still plans to buy the property it currently occupies in Memorial Square, saying it has had to take a loan out to complete the purchase, which is virtually identical to the sum promised from the council.

The council says it did make it clear to Coalville CAN that any funding would be subject to cabinet approval.

However, it added: "For our part, we've reiterated with our staff that our processes need to be made clear when having early discussions with any organisation about funding that may be available."