Great Harwood: Have your say on the future of Churchfield House - 27th November 2014

Hyndburn Borough Council proposes to lease Churchfield House, located on Church Street, Great Harwood, to Churchfield House Ltd for a period of 25 years.  Churchfield House Ltd is a not for profit company made up solely of people living in Great Harwood.  Essentially the aim of the company is to ensure that the building, which has been largely unused for a number of years, becomes a focal point of community activity, and is managed on behalf of local residents by local residents.

Hyndburn Borough Council acts as the Charity Trustee for Churchfield House, which was originally bequeathed by Milton Haydock to the Council for use as ‘Public Open Library’.  The Council will need the Charity Commission’s permission to grant the proposed lease and is required to consult with the local community in respect of the proposed changes to the use and management of the building. The Council and the Charity Commission will  consider the comments received from the public as a result of the consultation exercise before reaching a final decision about whether to grant a lease of Churchfield House to Churchfield House Ltd.

All members of the public are invited to attend a public meeting to discuss the proposals which will be held on the 27th November 2014, at 6pm at Churchfield House.

The meeting will provide details of the proposal, explain the public consultation and the Charity Commission process, allow representatives of Churchfield House Ltd to have their say on how they aim to manage the building, and allow local people to ask questions and have their say. Notices giving details of the proposal and consultation process are also being displayed in Great Harwood.

If you are not able to attend the event or would like further information prior to the meeting then please call Ian Marfleet on 01254 388111, an information pack will be sent to you.  The final date for responses to the consultation is Friday 14th November 2014.