A VILLAGE community centre’s future has been secured after a parish council took on sole ownership - but there will be a slight tax increase to support it.
Feering Parish Council unanimously agreed to take on the Feering Community Centre, in Coggeshall Road.
After the centre opened in 1987, it has been home to many community groups, including a baby and toddler group, and groups that help elderly residents socialise like the Community Living Room, and the Good Companions.
It has been managed by volunteer trustees who have kept it running since it opened 37 years ago.
However, some of trustees decided to step down, leaving the future of the community centre unknown.
Feering Parish Council has now agreed to take over the charity as the sole trustee to safeguard the communal hub, after being asked by other trustees.
Chairman Paul Lees said: “The community centre lies at the core of Feering, hosting numerous groups and activities.
“We recognise the importance of the community centre to local residents, which is why we have stepped in to take over running the centre.
“The team of volunteer trustees have done a great job over the past 37 years.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of the whole village when I say thank you to them for their service during this time.”
To ensure the building’s future, the council will continue to invest in the centre.
To pay for it, the parish will implement a weekly 77p increase for average band D households in forthcoming council tax bills.
Mr Lees believes it is a necessary increase as the council plans to install solar panels, double-glazed windows, loft insultation and more to ensure it remains open for “many years to come”.
He said: “Unfortunately, the parish council, like all organisations and individuals, including the Feering Community Centre Charity have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis and we have seen the overall costs of caring for the village increase.
“We have tried to keep costs to an absolute minimum to support our residents, while remaining committed to investing in the long term future of our village and its assets."
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