Wilmslow community groups ‘disadvantaged’ by school expansion

All members of the children and families committee were in favour of the Crewe-based Springfield School expanding on to satellite sites in Middlewich and Wilmslow.

But there were concerns not enough had been done to find alternative provision for groups who used the Dean Row Community Centre in Wilmslow – which was now to be used by the school.

Paula Reardon, principal and trustee for the Guild for Lifelong Learning, an adult education centre based in Wilmslow, told Monday’s meeting: “We don't object to the expansion of a special school at Dean Row, it is the re-purposing of the existing community centre that we object to, because we were the primary daytime user until the centre was closed without notice.”

She said before the centre closed suddenly a year ago, the group had used it for older adults to reduce social isolation and for exercise classes.

The Springfield School satellite site at Wilmslow is adjacent to the community centre (Image: Google) “It's that prioritising of one disadvantaged group over another, which I think is morally questionable, but as a charity, we just want to know what you're going to put in place as an alternative provision daytime use for older adults," said Mrs Reardon.

Director of education Claire Williamson said the decision was made by the council's assets team through a transparent process to hand the building over to the education directorate.

She said there had been discussion with community groups and some could run their clubs at nearby Oakenclough Family Hub .

Mrs Williamson added the school would work with community groups who wanted to use the building in the evenings.

Cllr Lata Anderson (Image: Cheshire East Council) Wilmslow councillor Lata Anderson (Ind), speaking as a visiting member, said the town council had put forward a detailed bid to run the community centre.

“Cheshire East officers then made a decision to award the building to this committee and to be turned into a school,” she said.

Cllr Anderson added some groups had wanted to use Oakenclough, but been turned away.

“When this committee makes a decision, please consider not only who you are helping, but also who you are disadvantaging,” she said.

Cllr George Hayes (Image: Cheshire East Council) Congleton councillor George Hayes (Con) said: “I think this lives out and exemplifies the silo working that the Local Government Association have talked about within this council, left hand and right hand aren't quite sure of what's being done.”

He added a further recommendation that the communities and assets team work in liaison with community groups affected by these proposals to find alternative facilities.

The committee approved the expansion of Springfield School on to the Wilmslow site and the former Cledford House site in Middlewich.