Story: Sarah Greene and Lisa Swift
The transfer of the Vestry Hall, Sorby House and Forum House took place at the end of May, with all responsibility for assets and staff moved from Burngreave New Deal for Communities to Sheffield City Council.
The New Deal organisation will officially close at the end of August. The buildings will continue to operate. The Council has agreed to cover New Deal’s pension liability and any bills for the buildings.
As part of the transfer the Council has agreed to the New Deal Partnership boards list of requirements for the management of the buildings. The Vestry Hall must:
be affordable to the local community,
be committed to education, employment, enterprise and engagement,
have a local management committee,
remain a Learning and Resource Centre
Similarly, Sorby House must:
be kept open,
be affordable to the local community
run in line with the original business plan
be transferred back to the community if viable in the future.
There are still concerns about the management of the buildings, especially the poor state of the Vestry Hall roof and main hall. The Council says it is working with Kier and will have a clear programme and timescale for work by the end of July.
The Council’s Community Buildings Team will meet with previous members of the Friends of Vestry Hall group and the New Deal board to discuss how to include local input to the management of the building. The Council encourages interested local residents to contact Nathan Rodgers on Nathan.rodgers@sheffield.gov.uk.