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Ref: 274/08 18 August 2008
Dunham School, An Asset That Re-Opened Its Doors
The former Dunham Hill primary school closed its doors at the end of last term but thanks to a pioneering Government and Cheshire County Council initiative the building is re-opening for local community use.
The school building and its grounds, which had accommodated up to 70 children, has been taken over by the Dunham on the Hill and Hapsford Community Project Limited and will continue to serve the local community with several classrooms let to a privately-run Sarah Bartholomew School and the remainder available for a variety of community centre style activities.
The release of Dunham Hill School is a ‘first’ for Cheshire and possibly one of the first in the UK by a ‘community ownership pathfinder’ local authority.
The County Council agreed to a five year lease as of this month (Aug) with an option of taking a 999 year lease during that period.
County Councillor Eleanor Johnson, one of six local trustees who now ‘own’ the property, is delighted at the outcome having been involved in the project from the outset.
She explained, “In April last year we called a public meeting and asked the local community if they would like to take it on. We formed a small committee and have kept everyone involved through a series of further meetings.
“We’re very, very pleased with progress. As of today the school with its classrooms, hall, kitchen, staff room, fields and play equipment is ours….now we have to raise £250,000 plus future running costs.”
Cllr Johnson paid tribute to local solicitor Chris Darlington and County Council property officers who guided them through negotiations and to fellow trustees, local residents Ruth Hadden, Bob Watson, Jim Wilson, Clive Fielding and Glyn Kelly.
A celebratory Hog Roast is planned for September 6, the first step in the new fund raising programme.
Cheshire was selected by the Government as one of 20 authorities to take part in the Advancing Assets for Communities Initiative stemmed from an earlier Review by Barry Quirk called ‘Making Assets Work’ which looked at community management and ownership of public assets.
Two other Cheshire buildings are currently under consideration for transfer to their local communities. Management responsibility for one of them, Bollington’s former Water Street School, is shortly to transfer to the Bollington Initiative Trust.
ENDS
DH/KM
Note to Editors: Further Information From Cheshire County Council’s Head of Estate Management, David Babbs (01244 972608), and County Councillor Eleanor Johnson, Trustee Of Dunham On The Hill and Hapsford Community Project (01244 300339). |