Ulverston residents urged to have their say over town assets

READ MORE:   Ulverston venue will be in the 'hands of the community'

Last year it was announced that Ulverston Community Enterprises will be running the Coronation Hall and the town's markets.

Their aim is to secure the future for generations to come.

The board is still in the process of ironing out the details of financial arrangements with South Lakeland District Council as both sides are trying to reach a deal that is fair to tax payers.

Chairwoman of UCE, Judy Pickthall said: “The board members are all committed to getting the job done but we can’t do it alone.

“We hope people will be patient while we put in place the groundwork for Ulverston Community Enterprises to get up and running as a business.

“Right now we also need to harness the enthusiasm, intelligence and determination of the people of Ulverston to help shape the future of the town. 

"The surveys carried out last year gave us a certain amount of guidance about what people expect from Ulverston Community Enterprises."

Mrs Pickthall explained that over the next few months the board will be organising public consultations to explain their plans to everyone.

She said: "We also want them to bring along their own ideas of what they want for Ulverston over the next five, 10 or 50 years."

Both the Coro and the markets are owned by SLDC but the cabinet agreed to transfer the assets over to UCE.

The negotiations between UCE and SLDC took more than a year and the group was originally set up "to reclaim Ulverston’s assets for the common good".

The people involved want the Coro to act as Ulverston’s "community hub" and the board will be in charge of running all services from April.

This move will save SLDC £117,000 over a five-year period.

UCE is a not-for-profit community enterprise with charitable status.

For more information visit  www.ulverstonenterprises.uk and to have your say complete the website survey or email info@ulverstonenterprises.uk .