New scout headquarters to be discussed at council meeting

Organisations working together to create a new scout headquarters on the site of disused changing rooms on a Kidderminster estate will unveil their plans at a Wyre Forest District Council meeting next week.

Proposals to demolish redundant changing rooms on the Heronswood Play Area on Spennells, Kidderminster, and replace them with a new community building, will be discussed by members of WFDC’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 6 September.

Local ward members have been working with the 9th Kidderminster (Spennells) Scout Group and district council officers on the scheme that would bring the buildings – that have not been used for more than 10 years - back into use for scouting and community purposes.

KD9 Scouts hope that if they can secure full funding from external grants they could complete the scheme within two years.

Council Leader Councillor Marcus Hart leads WFDC’s Localism agenda which encourages local community organisations to get more directly involved in running local services and buildings, said: “This is an excellent example of organisations coming together to improve local facilities for local people.

“The changing rooms are redundant and have been so for more than 10 years. I fully support the proposals for a commitment to clear the site and create a new building that would not only be available for the local scout group, but also for the local community.

“This is exactly what our Localism agenda is about. Working with local grass roots organisations to improve facilities on the ground for local people. The plan would be for Wyre Forest District Council to transfer the asset to the KD9 Scout group.”

Group Scout Leader Andrew Rawlinson said: "KD9 are pleased to be in discussion with the district council for a potential site on Spennells that could be used to provide a facility for our group and the wider community.

“We are one of the few scout groups in Kidderminster district without our own base and this has led to scouts meeting at Rhydd Covert rather than Spennells where the majority of our scouts live."

The Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillor Helen Dyke, who represents Aggborough and Spennells, said: “The local ward councillors have long wanted to see the old changing rooms redeveloped for community use.  With this in mind we fully support the scheme which will give the local scout group a local home and create a brand new facility that hopefully can be shared with all the community."

The scheme will be discussed by members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 6 September and their comments and recommendations will then go to the Cabinet for a final decision to dispose of the site on Wednesday 19 September. This will be webcast from 6pm and can be viewed at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/webcast.

If Cabinet approves proposals to dispose of the site the project would then be subject to the normal planning process.

Photo shows Councillor Marcus Hart with leaders Melanie Williams (left) and Sarah Wright (right) and members of KD9 Scout Group.