Hunstanton councillors create group to discuss future of community centre

The future of Hunstanton’s Community Centre is set to be discussed by councillors, who have created a new group to assess the possibilities.

Cllr Wendy Croucher proposed that a task and finish group be created to look at the potential options for the premises on Avenue Road.

Last Wednesday, Cllr Croucher told Hunstanton Town Council’s full council meeting that she felt the authority could be “missing an opportunity to apply” for funding to “do something to the community centre or put something in its place”.

She said this was due to the council not having a plan or vision of what it wants the community centre to be.

“The suggestion is to start a community centre discussion and finish group that looks at this,” Cllr Croucher added.

“Is it worth knocking it down, or leaving it? In other words, we form a plan to move forward.

“We own it and we have the chance, that is my proposal.”

Cllr Tony Bishopp said he felt that there was “a hell of a lot of work to be done”.

“Before we go down the vision route, there’s a lot of undertaking that needs to be done,” he said.

“For example, getting an idea of costs and would we get planning permission? Also getting all the information together.

“There’s a hell of a lot of work to be done.

“You have got to do a lot of work to rebuild a community centre and it’s going to cost a lot of money.”

The community centre currently hosts a number of groups every week, which hold their meetings there.

Councillors agreed to create a Community Centre Project task and finish group – with five councillors, including Cllr Croucher, on it.

Meanwhile, Cllr Maureen Howard proposed creating a task and finish group to mark this year’s 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings during the Second World War.

She said: “I just think it’s the anniversary this year, so it would be remiss of us to not mark it.

“I think it’s important that we recognise that day – it’s going to be celebrated nationally.”

This was agreed, with three councillors – including Cllr Howard – stating they would join the group.