Haringey community buildings under threat

Under threat: Hornsey Vale Community Centre         Photo: Rachella via And it feels like home

Haringey Council is considering all options to protect key community centres including selling off some of its stock

Buildings under threat of sale include the the Hornsey Vale Community Centre, the headquarters of Hornsey Historical Society and the Jacksons Lane Arts Centre.

The move is revealed in a draft  'Community Buildings Strategy' which revealed that 50 per cent of Haringey’s community buildings are in a “poor” or “very poor” condition.

Council figures show just four in 24 of the council-owned community centres are listed as being in a good condition and £14.5million is needed to maintain them.

But finding the cash has caused problems. Technically many of the tenants in the 31 centres are meant to do their own repairs and 20 per cent of the tenants pay peppercorn rent, while 52 per cent have rent paid through council grants. This means the portfolio, which would earn more than £700,000 on the open market in rent, brings in just more than £200,000 a year.

Council officers have put a number of proposals forward in order to meet the bill – including raising rents and selling off stock to “positively contribute to borough regeneration and priorities”. 

The Council is currently will now consult with community centre tenants and submit a final report in May.