YOUTH provision charity StreetSpace South Somerset has secured Chard Youth Centre as an Asset of Community Value in an attempt to safeguard future services.

The Essex Close building has been placed on the register of assets at South Somerset District Council but nothing will happen until the owner decides to dispose of the building.

In this case, the owner is the district council itself and, though there are no plans to do so at the moment, StreetSpace would have to be notified about any future changes.

Community groups are then given six weeks to express an interest in the asset and submit a written intention to bid for the property.

Earlier this year, the youth centre was on the brink of closure but was granted a stay of execution by the district council which agreed to commit £14,000 to Chard Area Youth Committee to help pay the rent.

Andrew Gillespie is the district council’s area development manager and he produced a report at this month’s Area West committee meeting on the Community Right to Bid Assessment.

In the report he said: “Yes, the current use of the property furthers the social well-being and interests of the local community.

“Its use in the recent past is as the only dedicated youth and community building in the area.

“It is envisaged that the current usage would continue as a youth provision but there are development discussions on the lands nearby so may be under threat.”

Richard Passmore, from StreetSpace, said the nomination will help the Chard Area Youth Committee become more “on the ball”.

He told The News: “We have been working hard to keep everything going and this is part of that ongoing process of development where we look forward to the future of youth services.

“It will help the committee become more on the ball and ensures that if anything changes we are notified.”

StreetSpace has double cause to celebrate having recently achieved charitable status after nine years of operating as a constituted voluntary group.

Project leader Ryan Doeller said: “By becoming a charity, we create a more positive image of StreetSpace South Somerset and offers tax advantages and greater access to funding.

“In the future, we hope to create collaborative opportunities for young people to better connect with other people from the community, as well as engage and facilitate projects and discussions to help improve the lives of young people.”

The group works with thriving youth clubs in Chard, Ilminster, Tatworth and Crewkerne and is always looking for more people to get involved in the project.

For more information e-mail southsomerset@streetspace.

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