Sheffield: Council reviews buildings as part of cost-saving measures

Waterthorpe Tenants and Residents Association said its community centre was thriving

Sheffield Council has confirmed plans to review around 100 community buildings as part of cost-saving measures.

The authority said it can no longer afford to maintain the 4,000 properties it owns across the city.

The review will begin with 22 community centres and will examine the condition of buildings, running costs and potential future use.

The council has said no final decision on any building had been made.

Rachael Brown, chairwoman of an affected community centre, said she would fight for it to remain open.

Ms Brown, who heads Waterthorpe Tenants and Residents Association, said their centre was thriving

"I understand where the council is coming from, there are buildings on that list that are not in use," she said.

"But our community centre is used daily and has had an active residents' association for many years."

Rachael Brown said people rely on her community centre

The Waterthorpe centre hosts weekly coffee mornings and bingo nights, which Ms Brown said was "the only time" some residents got out of the house.

"It would be devastating if that just went because people rely on it," she said.

"We will definitely fight for our building. I believe Waterthorpe deserves it."

The review sparked anger at Sheffield Council's budget meeting, with community councillor Terry Fox branding it a "closure programme".

"This is the biggest community asset stripping project, 22 community buildings are going to be closed," he said.

Liberal Democrat councillor Gail Smith also criticised the review for "upsetting hard-working people".

However, Sheffield Council said the review did not mean buildings would necessarily be closed.

Sheffield City Council said it can no longer afford the 4,000 buildings it owns

Council leader Tom Hunt said: "This review is about making sure we have facilities across the city to be able to provide good quality services."

He said the council would work in partnership with volunteers and community groups.

"This is about assessing which buildings are really able to support the needs of the local community, which need a bit of investment and which sadly, may not be fit for purpose anymore," he said.