One Place for the Community, everything in one place.
Tarvin Community Centre, Meadow Close, Tarvin, Chester, Cheshire. CH3 8LY
If you would like to read the Charity Governing Document – our Constitution, please Click Here to download the PDF document.
The current facilities in the building exist in part because of investment by the local community when the building was constructed in the 1970s. This investment came primarily from the proceeds of sale of the previous Public Hall, which had been acquired in the 1890s, augmented by local fundraising. The total investment by the local community, combined with grants from the then Department of Education and Science and Chester District Council, amounted to £16,515.
The remainder of the building has been used successively as a school, as a professional centre for in-service training, as a children’s centre and as offices.
The Community Centre is managed on a day-to-day basis by a Committee of Management made up of users, interested individuals and a representative of the Parish Council.
The values which underpin the mission and vision of the Committee of Management include:
– listening and learning from all our stakeholders – users, partners and performers. In 2014 the Committee carried out a Community Survey by way of a questionnaire distributed to every household;
– working with others to develop a centre which offers a wide range of stimulating activities
Most of the running costs of the building are incurred initially by CWaC and recharged annually to the Committee according to a formula which is set out in the lease. The Committee is responsible for 46% of day-to-day running costs (including heating, lighting, water, waste collection, building insurance and grounds maintenance) and for an appropriate share of the caretaking costs. This percentage reflects the proportion of the total building area occupied by the Community Centre. The total payment to CWaC is approximately £25,000 a year, and is paid for from lettings, either regular (to village organisations and privately run activities such as ballet classes) or one-off (including social events and private parties). The Committee has agreed a scale of charges which distinguishes between village organisations, outside organisations, commercial businesses and government/local authorities, and individuals. An enhanced fee applies to weekend bookings and an additional charge is made if the hirer wishes to run a bar. Letting rates are reviewed annually and aim to strike a balance between the willingness/ability of users to pay, the desire to see the facilities fully used, and the need to cover costs.
The Community Centre enjoys the support of Tarvin Parish Council, which gives it an annual grant.
The Committee’s policy is to organise a series of cultural and social events during the year, including plays, films, concerts and dances. The main aim is to draw village people from all age groups into the Centre and to enhance the wellbeing of residents, rather than specifically to raise money. Events are also an important source of funds for investment to improve the facilities.
Some of committee and friends at the official lease signing