Groups urged to come forward

Groups interested in taking over the management of Audley Sports & Community Centre are being invited to submit expressions of interest.

Blackburn with Darwen Council that currently operates the Audley Sports & Community Centre is looking for a qualified and experienced group who can manage and develop the facility for the benefit of customers and the local community

The scheme called a Community Asset Transfer, is the result of savings the Council has to make following the reduction in government budgets that mean the Council has to look at new ways of working.

The changes will see the Council retain ownership of the building but a local group or organisation appointed to run it.

Only local groups that can demonstrate they have the experience and ability to manage the centre in the interests of customers and wider community will be considered.

Councillor Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Young People, said:

With the reduction to our budgets we have to look at alternative ways of providing services.

Community Asset Transfers can open up opportunities for local people to have a greater say in the running or managing of community buildings and develop them in the way they would like to see them run.

I would urge anyone who thinks that they are part of a group with the necessary skills and the experience to get in touch or to attend the meeting.

For more information contact rizwana.zaahid@blackburn.gov.uk.  Groups will be invited to complete an Expression of Interest, followed by an Invitation to Tender.

Groups and organisations who are interested should complete an expression of interest form which can be obtained from Rizwana Zaahid via rizwana.zaahid@blackburn.gov.uk

Return to joanne.byrne@blackburn.gov.uk by 5pm Friday, July 29.