Organisations urged to submit ideas for community buildings

Derby City Council is calling on not-for-profit organisations to formally register their interest in running a variety of services from council-owned buildings.

The city council has been exploring ways to develop greater partnerships and meet the changing needs of the city’s communities.

In July last year, Community Action Derby reviewed the operation of 10 community libraries and explored models that could co-locate services in a “community hub model” within buildings currently used to host community-managed libraries.

As part of the budget consultation with Derby residents in December, organisations were asked to put forward ideas for running services from these community buildings.

A variety of ideas were submitted and now a formal Expression of Interest process to identify viable proposals is open.

All not-for-profit organisations – including community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises – are eligible.

As part of their application, organisations need to show that they have the knowledge, experience, and resources or support to manage one or more buildings or spaces to deliver a range of services.

Proposals will be evaluated, and organisations that are successful in the initial application round will be invited to apply to stage two later this year.

Claire Davenport, director of leisure, culture and tourism, said: “Often a good way of enabling community facilities to serve local needs is by providing opportunities for communities themselves to run and manage them.

“We very much look forward to hearing from groups interested in this significant opportunity to create community hubs in existing library buildings, where there is the potential for a wide array of services to be co-located.

“The response to our call for ideas for using our library buildings as part of the budget consultations was very positive, with some innovative suggestions put forward.

“We’re now urging organisations and groups to formally submit those proposals.

“Each building is different, and this is a chance for the city’s voluntary groups and organisations to show off their creative ideas and talents.”

The 10 community library buildings are Allestree, Allenton, Blagreaves, Chaddesden Park, Chellaston, Derwent Community Library, Mackworth, Sinfin, Spondon and Springwood (Oakwood).

Organisations have until 9 May to submit an Expression of Interest form, which can be found here.