COUNCIL chiefs at Warrington are to be urged to support proposals to establish a centre for children with special education needs or disabilities (SEND) at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre.
The recommendation will be considered at the council’s cabinet meeting on Monday, June 13.
Cost of the proposal is estimated at £5.4 million – but this compares with the alternative option of a new-build centre at an estimated cost of between £6.9 million and £9.4 million, plus £1 million external work and site acquisition costs.
A risk assessment for the scheme notes that the council would be investing in a building that is more than 20 years old that they would not own.
The Peace Centre is owned by a Trust of the Peace Foundation (The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust) and the NSPCC.
But a report to be considered by the cabinet, states that the building is currently at “critical risk” due to changes in the services which have historically been carried out there which had impacted on the financial position of the Peace Foundation.
The NSPCC and Warrington Youth Club have vacated the building. The loss of the Peace Centre would be to the detriment of the residents of Warrington while developing the site for council purposes would benefit young people with SEND and also be beneficial to the wider community.
The report states: “The Peace Centre has huge potential therefore the council are proposing to re-purpose the building, invest in it and enhance services for young people with SEND to secure a meaningful future for the building.”
There is an increasing demand for services for young people with SEND in Warrington meaning the council has had to seek places for them outside the borough. The council’s increasing reliance on out-of-area provision puts considerable financial pressure on budgets and impacts efforts to support young people with strong, local opportunities for learning and development.
