THE start of the New Year was still an uncertain time for the Ockment Centre, as staff continued to walk a financial tightrope. They have been waiting for a £25,000 rescue lifeline, which was agreed by Devon County Council at a meeting held at the centre last November to outline the best way forward and to ensure its viable and sustainable future. The money still had not been received early this week, causing increasing concern — but as the Times went to press, there were assurances from the county that the cheque was on its way. At November's meeting Devon County Council leader, Cllr Brian Greenslade, put forward the proposal of a cash commitment from the county council which would provide a boost to the funding package needed to enable the centre to remain open. The council agreed to provide £250,000 towards the capital costs of repairing the roof and the central heating system at the centre, along with the further one-off payment of £25,000. The money was meant to be an immediate cash flow boost to the centre to help see it through to the end of the financial year. With the money not yet arriving at the centre, Lindsey Svensson, manager at the Ockment Centre, said she was concerned that the centre would not be able to meet its financial responsibilities. She said that unless the money came in soon, the centre will be in a position where they will not be able to meet their financial requirements. But a Devon County Council spokesman this week told the Times: 'Final arrangements are being made for the one-off £25,000 payment to the centre agreed by the council on November 20, which will be processed very shortly. 'We are continuing to advise and support the centre on its short and long-term plans, and have had regular meetings with the manager and trustees to ensure satisfactory progress is being made.' And plans for the capital work to the roof and heating system appear to be progressing with surveyors having visited the centre. The uncertain future of the Ockment Centre arose from the county council's decision last year not to site a proposed new children's centre at the site, which would have given it viability into the next decade. The situation will continue to be monitored in the coming weeks and the public will be updated accordingly.
