Worksop: North Notts Arena management clash with Bassetlaw Council over funding cuts

Management at North Notts Arena have blasted Bassetlaw Council for taking away funding that whey say will leave them with a £20,000 shortfall.
Arena manager Nigel Turner says the funding cuts will mean the community loses outArena manager Nigel Turner says the funding cuts will mean the community loses out
Arena manager Nigel Turner says the funding cuts will mean the community loses out

Management at North Notts Arena have blasted Bassetlaw Council for taking away funding that will leave them a £20,000 shortfall.

And Arena manager Nigel Turner says the community will suffer as a result.

“We had a Service Level Agreement with the council that gave us £40,000 a year towards our yearly day to day running costs,” he said.

“Now suddenly, that is ending in three months, and while we have had a grant from elsewhere for £20,000, we still now have a £20,000 shortfall.”

“The most disappointing aspect is the council have given us no time, just three months notice.”

“It we’d had a year, then we could have got something in place but now we’ve no choice but to change our opening hours and inform people of the situation.”

“We’ll now be closed on Sundays and opening later in the mornings and closing earlier in the evenings the rest of the time.”

“The council say it’s down to cuts from Government and needing to save in tough times and I appreciate that.”

“But we’re all in tough times and we’ve had to manage and done so without burdening the council for extra help.”

“At the end of the day, it’s the community that suffers because services we were able to offer before, we won’t be able to now.”

Replying to the claims, Council leader Coun Simon Greaves said: “Tough decisions about funding for local organisations are another example of the harsh reality of spending cuts by central Government.”

“North Notts Community Arena is a great asset to the district and as such, the council have proudly supported them with funding amounting to £40,000 per year over the last four years to assist with running costs and the provision of services.”

“In addition the Arena benefitted from a Community Loan of £15,000 being converted into a grant and a further £23,000 in grant funding in 2013 to help with the refurbishment of the centre’s facilities.”

“When the funding agreement was originally set up in 2010, at the request of NNCA, it was made clear that the agreement would not extend beyond March 2014.”

“They were also reminded of this when I met with the Arena’s management in December last year who were understanding of the financial difficulties the council has faced in making around £8million worth of savings since 2008.”

“They were also encouraged to submit an application to BCVS and the local Independent Grants Panel who, since April 2014, now administer and allocate the Bassetlaw Community Grant Programme.”