I have published an open letter nominating Leigh Community Centre to become an “Asset of Community Value”.
This comes at a time of concern for the future of the Community Centre with many residents seemingly believing it is set to be closed, despite Leigh Town Councillors regularly confirming that is not the case and a practical impossibility due to the terms of the contract with Southend City Council.
I'm issuing a plea for as many residents as possible to join me in signing the letter before it is formally submitted to Southend City Council for consideration, before the next Full Council meeting.
If you wish to join others in signing the open letter, this can be done at: https://www.annafirth.org.uk/Leigh-Community-Centre
Here is the letter in full:
I am writing to you today to recommend that Southend City Council recognises Leigh Community Centre as an Asset of Community Value. There is considerable concern about the future of Leigh Community Centre and I would like to put this beyond peradventure.
To recognize the Leigh Community Centre as an Asset of Community Value, one must consider its longevity and impact within Southend. The building itself is well over 100 years old and was the original home of Conservatives in Southend. The building was the first headquarters for the old Parliamentary seat of Southend and its incumbent who was Southend’s first ever elected representative in the House of Commons, Rupert Guinness MP, 2nd Earl of Iveagh.
Since the building was taken over by Leigh Town Council and opened as a Community Centre in September 2012, it has gone from strength to strength and has established itself a much-loved asset at the heart of the community.
The Community Centre is open to absolutely everyone and serves those of all age groups, from regular toddler classes to a wonderful over 60’s club. The Centre also allows people to come together whatever the weather, making it especially important to the most vulnerable in our society.
The incredible work being done by Leigh Town Council staff and volunteers is also of the utmost importance to this nomination. They provide such excellent service and make the Centre the success it is.
I hope Southend City Council will look upon my nomination favourably and that you can see the strength of feeling and support for this by the quantity of residents who share my opinion and have co-signed this letter.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
ANNA FIRTH MP
