ASSURANCES are being sought over the re-opening of the Oughtrington Luncheon Club at Lymm which controversially closed earlier this year following a fallout between Trustees and volunteer organisers.
Warrington South MP Andy Carter and Lymm Borough Councillor Ian Marks have again met with the Chair of Oughtrington Community Centre Trust Paul Gibson, to seek assurances around the governance of the community facility, which is owned by local people and run for the benefit of the Oughtrington community by a board of volunteer Trustees. The meeting follows the cancellation of the Oughtrington Luncheon Club in January.
Since the closure, more than 130 local people have come forward requesting membership of the Oughtrington Community Centre Trust and an EGM has been called with a view to re-establishing the twice weekly lunchtime event for elderly residents.
Lymm Parish Council recently exercised it’s right to appoint a Trustee. Following concerns raised by local residents about the governances of the Trust, a further meeting has now taken place between the Chair of the Trust, MP and Borough Councillor.
In a joint statement, Andy Carter MP and Cllr Ian Marks said: “We welcome confirmation by the Trust Chair that OCCT will write to confirm membership to all those who have made a request by Friday 14th April. The Trust have also indicated that an EGM will be held before the end of April, with appropriate notice being given to members to attend. We encourage everyone who has an interest in the Community Centre and the organisations which meet there, to attend the meeting once a date is confirmed and we urge residents to put themselves forward as Trustees.
Mr Gibson also told us that he is planning for the Oughtrington Luncheon Club to resume on Tuesday 18th April, he has assured us that local residents will be given more details in the coming week so that they can make arrangements to come along.”
Over more than 30 years Oughtrington Community Centre has been home to a wide range of local groups including a pre-school, scouts and luncheon club for elderly residents. The field at the back of the Centre is owned by Warrington Borough Council and leased by the Community Centre for use by local groups.
Volunteers Derek Ridpath and his sister Phyllis recently decided the best way forward was to both step down from their volunteer positions as joint organisers of Oughtrington Luncheon Club, after the trustees sent an email on February 19, stating they were re-branding luncheon club with new management and team.
At the time Derek said: “We understand that earlier this week the Chairman of the Community Centre has visited various addresses to ‘sign up’ clients for a new luncheon club.
“This suggests that things have at last progressed on this front and we feel our stepping down now will enable this new facility serving the needs of the local community to start without further delay.
“We did point out back in February that whilst we could not provide any personal details of clients, due to data protection, we were happy to forward details of any new arrangements on to them.”
He went on to say: “We trust that wider issues regarding the governance, structure and operation of the Community Centre that have been raised are resolved without further delay ensuring its successful future.”
Mr Gibson has been approached several times for a statement on the current situation but none has been forthcoming.
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