Having received correspondence from many concerned residents in Leigh, I am fully aware of the strength of feeling surrounding the Leigh Community Centre. This is why I have decided to write an open letter to the Leader of Southend City Council to recommend that they designate Leigh Community Centre an Asset of Community Value. For the letter to have the most impact, I am asking for residents and politicians from across the political divide to co-sign it with me, before I formally present the letter before the next Full Council meeting.
Please see my letter to the Leader of Southend City Council below:
I am writing to you today to recommend that Southend City Council recognises Leigh Community Centre as an Asset of Community Value. There is considerable concern about the future of Leigh Community Centre and I would like to put this beyond peradventure.
To recognize the Leigh Community Centre as an Asset of Community Value, one must consider its longevity and impact within Southend. The building itself is well over 100 years old and was the original home of Conservatives in Southend. The building was the first headquarters for the old Parliamentary seat of Southend and it’s incumbent who was Southend’s first ever elected representative in the House of Commons, Rupert Guinness MP, 2nd Earl of Iveagh.
Since the building was taken over by Leigh Town Council and opened as a Community Centre in September 2012, it has gone from strength to strength and has established itself a much loved asset at the heart of the community.
The Community Centre is open to absolutely everyone and serves those of all age groups, from regular toddler classes to a wonderful over 60’s club. The Centre also allows people to come together whatever the weather, making it especially important to the most vulnerable in our society.
The incredible work being done by Leigh Town Council staff and volunteers is also of the utmost importance to this nomination. They provide such excellent service and make the Centre the success it is.
I hope Southend City Council will look upon my nomination favourably and that you can see the strength of feeling and support for this by the quantity of residents who share my opinion and have co-signed this letter.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Yours sincerely,
Anna Firth MP
Please provide your name and postcode below to add your name to the letter to the Council.
