MAJOR TOWN ISSUES
Assembly Rooms Civic Hub issue
(December 11, 2010)DO we need the Assembly Hall ? If so what for.....a positive vision
It really is the crucial question we need to ask ourselves and if the answer is yes then we must ask exactly why it is needed.''I was shocked that WCR's hard working community activist Barry Mole, who should know the town a little better than most of our town councillors, should regard the building 'as much a part of Warminster's landscape as the town hall or the Athenaeum','' said Steve Dancey from VFW.
But that is what he said at August's extraordinary meeting of the town council.
That is total rubbish.
The other two buildings form important parts of Warminster's defining characteristic which is its historic town centre and Market Place setting surrounded by outstanding countryside.
The Assembly Rooms is a Jerry-built 1960/70s structure built on the cheap and foisted on our council and situated adjacent to a supermarket car park.
The integrity of the town centre would not be damaged by its removal in any way whatsoever, unlike the loss of the town hall or Athenaeum.
Those two buildings would leave gaping holes if they were removed while the loss of the Assembly Rooms and the end of its 65,000 pound annual running costs would result in a round of applause and release that money for other more beneficial things.
But is there a use for the building?
As a major hall activity area - dance lessons etc?
''Councillor
Andrew Davis says he remembers when the hall was being built - well I'm
a little older and can remember what people did before it came into
being,'' said Steve Dancey. During the 1960s Kingdown School was in far greater use by the community and its facilities were used by many groups similar to those that have that need today.
One or two groups still use the Assembly Rooms for this purpose but they could move to Kingdown.
The school has pretended to be a community school for many years so it is about time it was used more by the community.
The school is our property, we paid for it and continue to fund it through
taxation so we
should be able to use it after 6pm. Warminster area board has already used the Kingdown hall without problem. But has it used the Assembly Rooms?
To prove our point here is a previously unpublished 1966 photo of Warminster Keep Fit Club making use of Kingdown's main hall.
As an exhibition centre?
Again
there is an alternative along Woodcock where the sports hall could be
and has been put to use for this purpose. The model railway people are
switching to this venue next year - and at a lower cost than using
the Assembly Rooms.As a meeting Place for important decisions
The hall has been put to good use for meetings but it is not the only show in town.The Athenaeum could be used for public meetings. Before people start raising objections to such an idea we'll give an example of how others support their community.
Two years ago when Test Valley Borough Council was debating granting planning permission for the biggest building in western Europe (the megashed now under construction adjacent to the A303) the meetings were held in the theatre in Andover without problems.
More than 200 attended these meetings. Andover has an historic guildhall but no sad 1960s hall building like the Assembly Rooms.
Churches also provide an alternative venue for meetings- in Warminster the general election hustings took place at Christchurch and not the Assembly Rooms.
Wedding receptions?
The
Assembly Rooms used to provide a popular venue for wedding receptions
but this has tailed off to almost nothing .It has sometimes even had
live music.Tastes have changed and legislative changes mean that commercial providers are able to provide an all in one event at more prestigious locations and the Assembly Rooms just can't complete. It has lost this market - and the closure of the town's register office has compounded this change.
However a rejuvenated Town Hall building and the nearby St Laurence chapel could bring a few more weddings back to the town if they were correctly marketed.
Fewer weddings are taking place in any case.
As a community hub for older persons' services?
This is the role that the Assembly Rooms could take on if it is approached correctly.
But why should the town council take on the whole burden of this alone?
Other agencies including the state and the many charities that survive on the goodwill of townsfolk could help out. Even organisations like the British Legion could help.
There's no denying that there is a significant number of people in our town eligible for their help - but have they been approached?
The town council can be the lead body in this venture but it needs to find significant financial input from at least half a dozen other as it cannot take on a bottomless liability.
This role was set out in our Vision for Warminster section on older people published in December 2008.
As a home for the town council?
This
is an outrageous idea. The council is housed at Dewey House and if real
attempts were made the main hall could easily be used as a council
chamber when necessary. Some may like extra space and if it is really essential we should look at other underused public buildings in the town and under the county council's influence eg the police/social service/ambulance buildings in Station Road. Or perhaps use the Athenaeum's empty shop as a pop-in for the public.
As for having a mayor's parlour!!!!
Former deputy mayor Paul Macdonald summed up the position. He said ''We have a
vision of life being breathed into the the town centre, the Town Hall,
the Athenaeum and the town having a community centre at the Assembly
Hall that is vibrant during the day on behalf of the elderly and
vulnerable (named in respect of Joan Main) and a less subsidised
community facilty at the weekends and evenings.
''After all
is said and done no one expects the town park to break even. So we
believe this approach could reduce the current annual cost to the town
council and make the Assembly Hall a real asset.''
Hear mayor Tony Nicklin agree to accept the parish poll decision click here
The plans almost exactly mirrors those we outlined in section six of the Vision for Warminster document published by us in December 2008 - the section is reproduced below for your convenience.
We even used the phrase 'hub for the community'.
''I'm very pleased that someone with the power to effect change has raised this issue as Warminster's demographic transition is a time bomb waiting to explode and clock is ticking more rapidly as each year passes,'' said Steve Dancey, who attended the meeting.
''The incredible thing is though, that by throwing the localism agenda into the mix cllr Humphries has injected a further uncertainty into the council's crazy loans plan.
''This new factor means that it will not be able to come up with any meaningful profit and loss account type figures for the Assemble Rooms budget as councillors simply don't know who will be in the building and paying rent. Such figures will only be available after long discussions and service agreements are signed and only then can a meaningful business plan be put.
''The idea that all the figures will become clear in July is ridiculous - maybe the capital budget for the construction work but not the revenue budget - the facility is currently losing 70,000 pounds a year.
''Without more detailed information councillors certainly will be unable to come to an informed choice and should pay heed to people's views as expressed in the parish poll.''
At the meeting Steve Dancey suggested that all organisations that might have an input and need to use the hub facility, and could perhaps contribute financially, should be invited to attend a 'brokerage table meeting' to see what could be offered - perhaps our local MP, who is at least regarded as competent and trustworthy, could chair the event.
''I'm also pretty sure that the council offices and the hub must be kept separate as many local people would shy away from using the facility if they thought they might bump into councillors.
''Warminster Town Council is only a parish council and it must not put the town in hock for years to come without exploring to the nth degree the possibility of attracting funding from other sources.
''This it hasn't done.
''The town council has an enabling role in all this, it can't be expected to provide the service on its own.''
THE FOLLOWING BLUEPRINT WAS PUBLISHED BY VISIONFORWARMINSTER IN DECEMBER 2008
IN the Nineteenth Century Britain underwent a demographic
transition which resulted in a vast expansion of the working age
population.
That
change took place over a period of 100 years but another even more
fundamental shift is about to happen in less than 30 years – and we in
Warminster are in a poor position to cope.
That change involves the explosion in the number of people aged over 85 who will be in need of sustained and expensive help.
The transition is already taking place as there are now more over 65s than under 16s in the population.
According to the Office for National Statistics life expectancy at birth for those born in 2006 in England is projected to be 88.1 years for males and 91.5 years for females.
Even today a man who reaches age 65 can expect to live until 85.6 years – the figures also show that in parts of Warminster, such as the BA12 8 postcode sector, life expectancy is two years higher than the national average.
In a few short years we in Warminster will have an army of very old people, many of them still healthy, but others unable to cope without considerable assistance.
This change will put ever greater pressure on care providers and increase demand on health funding.
And although caring for older people will always be a core public service, we need to make sure we can provide people with the choice of high quality care that they need.
We need to ensure there is:
Effective healthcare, sooner
Frontline service, not more bureaucrats.
Dignity
Community support and activities to provide older people with ‘a life’.
That change involves the explosion in the number of people aged over 85 who will be in need of sustained and expensive help.
The transition is already taking place as there are now more over 65s than under 16s in the population.
According to the Office for National Statistics life expectancy at birth for those born in 2006 in England is projected to be 88.1 years for males and 91.5 years for females.
Even today a man who reaches age 65 can expect to live until 85.6 years – the figures also show that in parts of Warminster, such as the BA12 8 postcode sector, life expectancy is two years higher than the national average.
In a few short years we in Warminster will have an army of very old people, many of them still healthy, but others unable to cope without considerable assistance.
This change will put ever greater pressure on care providers and increase demand on health funding.
And although caring for older people will always be a core public service, we need to make sure we can provide people with the choice of high quality care that they need.
We need to ensure there is:
Effective healthcare, sooner
Frontline service, not more bureaucrats.
Dignity
Community support and activities to provide older people with ‘a life’.
A lonely old age
According to Help the Aged one million elderly people say they are often or always lonely and tragically it seems to be those who face the greatest financial struggle who are also the most lonely.
Amy Swan, policy manager for social inclusion at Help the Aged said: “It’s such a tragic state of affairs when older people tell us that that the only person they see from week to week is the postman.
“Isolation and loneliness are not inevitable side-effects of the ageing process, but the life events associated with older age can leave people vulnerable.
“Poverty, bereavement, far-flung families and failing health can all play a part, and while living alone is for some a preferred life choice, for others it can be one of the key risk factors leading to someone becoming isolated and also lonely.”
While her comments are perhaps most applicable to larger cities, in Warminster we need to be aware and devise ways now to help our current older generation and cater for the strains on the system that will increase as time goes by.
A new community centre
We feel there is a lack of meeting facilities in the town where older people can get together chat in a social situation and mix with other members of the community.
One of the tragedies of British society is that, unlike on the continent, the various age groups do not seem to mix socially – perhaps this is a function of our greater geographical mobility, smaller families and the decline of extended families.
To remedy this we need a full blown community centre in the heart of the town where people can meet, come for a meal, teach each other new skills and be comfortable.
Not
only need it be comfortable in a physical sense but socially a place
were everyone feels comfortable and that they have a stake and a right
to use.
Such a place could be the Assembly Hall which is underused and a waste of space at present. (pictured)
It needs to be in use seven days a week and be one of the hubs of the community.
It needs a new role, a new interior, a new focus and probably a new name - few would argue if we were to rename it the Joan Main Centre as a fitting recognition of Mrs Main's decades of service to the community.
Such a place could be the Assembly Hall which is underused and a waste of space at present. (pictured)
It needs to be in use seven days a week and be one of the hubs of the community.
It needs a new role, a new interior, a new focus and probably a new name - few would argue if we were to rename it the Joan Main Centre as a fitting recognition of Mrs Main's decades of service to the community.
It
could also be a base for the community stewards recommended in our
policing section and provide a valuable link between these workers and
vulnerable sections of the community.
By
extending a helping hand of friendship they could even take on the
reassuring role of ensuring the safety of those who previously felt too
frightened or isolated to venture out and travel.
There
are also huge numbers of people in their 60s left kicking their heels
who would be only too happy to help out in such a community centre.
We forsee this group forming a vibrant older persons' association springing up with a name for them to choose.
Grey power is a force which we should harness for good and not fear.
Exactly what you would include inside this centre can be thrashed out in detail over time but we are sure it is necessary.
Exactly what you would include inside this centre can be thrashed out in detail over time but we are sure it is necessary.
Perhaps
a town councillor could be made a portfolio holder with responsibility
for the new centre and room be made available for social services staff
on site as well as other caring agencies.
Accommodation needs are special
The population explosion in the very old will inevitably mean more demand for the sort of accommodation required by the super old.
We must meet this demand as otherwise we will fail the old.
They need homes with wider doors, stairs that accommodate a stairlift, level walkways with good lighting, many aids and adaptations so that hoists can be used.
Warminster's
public buildings, not just homes, will also need to adapt so that that
they meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act.
We need to ensure that people retain as much dignity as possible and are able to stay in their own homes for as long as possible before moving into residential care or nursing homes.
In past times every housing scheme for elderly people had a resident warden who had time to chat to their elderly neighbours but those days have largely gone and wardens replaced by mobile wardens in the name of efficiency.
We would seek to reverse this trend by bringing back resident wardens.
If necessary we would also seek to build new council run nursing and residential care homes.
We need to ensure that people retain as much dignity as possible and are able to stay in their own homes for as long as possible before moving into residential care or nursing homes.
In past times every housing scheme for elderly people had a resident warden who had time to chat to their elderly neighbours but those days have largely gone and wardens replaced by mobile wardens in the name of efficiency.
We would seek to reverse this trend by bringing back resident wardens.
If necessary we would also seek to build new council run nursing and residential care homes.
There
should be a clear and continuing distinction between the roles of
nursing and residential care homes as at present this has blurred.
In Wiltshire the council transferred its homes to a not for profit organisation some years ago but in Hampshire they kept them and there they provide the gold standard for care homes.
Their success has been such that Hampshire County Council was able to build and provide an additional 500 bed spaces of its own over the past two years in partnership with the Primary Care Trust.
We should follow Hampshire’s example in Wiltshire.
In Wiltshire the council transferred its homes to a not for profit organisation some years ago but in Hampshire they kept them and there they provide the gold standard for care homes.
Their success has been such that Hampshire County Council was able to build and provide an additional 500 bed spaces of its own over the past two years in partnership with the Primary Care Trust.
We should follow Hampshire’s example in Wiltshire.
Help urgently required for carers
Old age not only causes problems for the old but also for their carers.
Warminster is not overburdened with places where carers can go for help and advice when they discover a parent or partner is suffering from dementia and needs extra support.
Across the country there is a network of 141 centres operating under the auspices of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
None is within easy reach of Warminster.
These centres provide information, advice and guidance, act as advocates and liaise with statutory bodies and sort out opportunities for respite care.
They also act as a carers’ support group and provide counselling.
A Warminster carer centre is badly needed as help and advice in this town is lamentable.
In
some enlightened towns there are also young carers' centres for the
many children that have to take on a caring role - often in support of
an ailing parent.
Finally Warminster hospital needs to be brought back into full use as at the present time many of the most vulnerable face isolation in Bath or Salisbury hospitals when they need support.
Finally Warminster hospital needs to be brought back into full use as at the present time many of the most vulnerable face isolation in Bath or Salisbury hospitals when they need support.
This
falls into the chapter of health care but consider this one
unacceptable fact - elderly emergency patients, without close
relatives, have been admitted to hospital in their pyjamas 20 miles
from home and are then left to organise a taxi to get themselves home
upon discharge.
That is happening now and it shouldn't.
Our vision is a town where people can enjoy their extended old age not suffer it in lonely impoverished silence.
Our vision is a town where people can enjoy their extended old age not suffer it in lonely impoverished silence.
(For Information) ACCORDING
to the most up to date statistics there are around 1,500 carers in
Warminster and nearly half of them provide more than 20 hours’ care a
week. About a fifth of carers provide more than 50 hours’ care a week.
The
demand for care will rise very quickly in the next decade as the number
of people aged over 85, who are most in need of care, will rise by 50
per cent.
It
is estimated that £225,000 worth of carers’ benefits are not claimed in
Warminster each year and ‘Making the most of your money’ is the theme
of Carers’ Rights Day on 5 December. (2008)
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers recommends visiting the website fundingcaring.co.uk for more help and information.
'Our vision is a town where people can enjoy their extended old age not suffer it in lonely impoverished silence.'
Promoted and published by Steve Dancey of 21 Newport, Warminster, and Paul Macdonald, of 144 Boreham Field, Warminster.