A SHOCK decision by Devon Council Council has forced the imminent closure of the popular Ockment Centre in Okehampton ? after 13 years of providing vital services to the community. The move also throws local jobs into jeopardy. West Devon and Torridge MP Geoffrey Cox said this week he was ?furious? at the council?s decision not to site a new children?s centre at the Ockment Centre, which would have given it viability for the future. He said: ?I see it as a betrayal of the Ockment Centre and it represents a breach of the numerous promises given to staff and to me that it would become the base for the children?s centre. ?We had been led to believe that the centre had a bright future ahead and I am simply flabbergasted by this turn of events.? The county council now intends to build the new facility for 0-5 year-olds at the proposed new primary school, which will be constructed in three years? time. It is a big financial setback for the Okement Centre ? which already lost vital revenue when it closed in August and September because of repairs by its landlords Devon County Council ? work that was never carried out, say staff. Trustees reluctantly decided to close the centre on December 21, which will result in 12 redundancies. They say they are unable to afford the capital costs and maintenance to keep it going, including £120,000 for a new roof. More than 225 groups use the centre, which provides computer training, internet access, creche facilities and a low-cost meeting place. It is also the base for Okehampton Citizens? Advice Bureau and Community Transport. Centre manager Lindsey Svensson told the Times the CAB and community transport would continue to operate in the Ockment Centre for the foreseeable future, but it would be closed to everything else until further notice. ?Early in 2006, Devon County Council identified the Ockment Centre as the site for the Okehampton Children?s Centre and since then we have been in negotiations with DCC to achieve the necessary building and repair work,? she said. ?Without this work the Ockment Centre cannot continue to deliver the community services it has been so proud to provide over the last 13 years.? Chairman of trustees Judy Pride said ongoing costs for the rent and power at the premises were extremely high and it was difficult to pass them on to groups who were trying to establish themselves and make a difference to the community. She said plans to repair the roof and upgrade the heating system in preparation for the new children?s centre would have reduced the overheads for the future and made the place more viable. ?This decision by Devon Council Council at the last minute has put the final nail in the coffin,? she said. County councillor for Okehampton Christine Marsh said there was no doubt that the Ockment Centre was the right place for the children centre but the county council could not justify spending money for the children centre on the maintenance of the building. She said what was frustrating was the time it had taken to make the decision: ?My allegiance is with the Ockment Centre and I will fight to keep it going. ?The county council is trying to resolve the matter because it is aware of what the centre does for the area.? Mayor of Okehampton Tony Leech said he was ?absolutely appalled that the county council had completely overruled the wishes and needs of the people of Okehampton?. Devon County Council?s executive member for children and young people?s services, John Smith, said a substantial financial contribution had been offered to the trustees to enable them to continue running the centre and accommodate their needs. ?However, as the responsible legal body for the commercial and managerial operation of the centre, we accept any decision they take,? he said. ?Sometimes, unforeseen circumstances mean that plans can change course, and the proposal to build a new primary school in Okehampton will mean that we have a tremendous opportunity to incorporate a new children?s centre into the school. ?The new primary school will enable local children and their families to have access to brand new, purpose-built facilities, providing them with 21st century technology and a wide range of opportunities to secure the best outcomes for the whole community.?
