Community owned social space for Portobello?

[Homer]

Well for what it's worth I think organisations like PEDAL do a lot of good for the community. In the 10 years that I've lived here things have definitely improved. We've had new pavements, relaid cobbles and visible improvements in local hostelries, but best of all, with inestimable improvement to the tone of the area, Porty's moved away from our street

[Bob Jefferson]

Whether you see such a facility as a commercial enterprise or a 'social' enterprise it still has to pay for itself one way or another. How is it staffed? Who pays their wages? Who pays for maintenance of the building?

What we need is a new community centre to replace the existing one. If that is what PEDAL means then I'm in full agreement, in which case we are looking at a Council-run establishment that fits somewhere into the NW Portobello Masterplan along with a replacement library, probably re-built onsite.

If PEDAL envisage something beyond this, then we need to ensure that we are supporting existing community facilities. Are we making best use of the Indoor Bowling Centre for example? Or the Town Hall?

[Epykat]

What we need is a new community centre to replace the existing one. If that is what PEDAL means then I'm in full agreement, in which case we are looking at a Council-run establishment that fits somewhere into the NW Portobello Masterplan along with a replacement library, probably re-built onsite.

If PEDAL envisage something beyond this, then we need to ensure that we are supporting existing community facilities. Are we making best use of the Indoor Bowling Centre for example? Or the Town Hall?

Wow!!! It's not often I agree with you!

[Porty]

Well for what it's worth I think organisations like PEDAL do a lot of good for the community. In the 10 years that I've lived here things have definitely improved. We've had new pavements, relaid cobbles and visible improvements in local hostelries, but best of all, with inestimable improvement to the tone of the area, Porty's moved away from our street

Oi! watch it.

I must admit I didn't realise that PEDAL were a catalyst for the new pavements etc. I have perhaps been unfair, what other good things have they done that I am ignorant of?

And what agent is selling the church in marlborough street?

I also agree about a new community centre.

[Pal of Porty]

.....And what agent is selling the church in marlborough street?

The selling agent us GVA Grimley. The church is so new to the market that the selling details are not even available yet.

[Maria]

Well for what it's worth I think organisations like PEDAL do a lot of good for the community. In the 10 years that I've lived here things have definitely improved. We've had new pavements, relaid cobbles and visible improvements in local hostelries, but best of all, with inestimable improvement to the tone of the area, Porty's moved away from our street

Oi! watch it.

I must admit I didn't realise that PEDAL were a catalyst for the new pavements etc. I have perhaps been unfair, what other good things have they done that I am ignorant of?

Hmmm, suspect the ignorance lies with Homer, Porty. He doesn't exactly have his finger on the pulse of local affairs. When I asked him to help out with setting up for the residents' BBQ, he went off to a completely different park from the rest of us. I could be wrong, but I'm beginning to suspect he doesn't listen to me

[Maria]

From Cllr Child's recent report, some info regarding the community centre:

Portobello Community Centre
The request I made for a proper consideration of the long standing proposals by the management committee - for a self-financing rebuild on the same site with the provision of some affordable housing – is taking an inordinately long time to work through. I originally raised the idea in a Motion to full Council on 13 March, but nothing more came of it - yet. There is now a new person appointed to manage community learning and development in this area. We hoping that it will be taken forward by him and the report I asked for will come back to Councillors sooner rather than later, with a clear Council answer.

[Bob Jefferson]

The Community Council and other local groups have been asked to complete the following questionnaire relating to PEDAL's community space idea:

A community-owned social space for Portobello

Questions to local community groups

Name of Group ______________________________
Respondent _________________________________
Interviewer _________________________________

Do you think a community owned social space is a worthwhile thing to have? Do you agree with the aims of the project?

What activities, meetings or events does your group currently run?

How often do these activities take place?

What space / facilities does your group currently use for these activities?

Are these facilities adequate? If not, how could they be improved? E.g. price of hire, comfort, better heating, availability of refreshments, more accessible, times available?

What would your ideal community space/ facility offer? What would it look and feel like?

What benefit would a local space that also provides hot and cold food and drinks, and has an alcohol license, provide for your group?

What benefit would a local space that enabled you to provide information to the wider community bring for your group?

What benefit would a space that is also used by other groups and community activists bring for your group? (for example, sharing ideas and possibly working together more)?

Would you be more likely to use a space if it was environmentally friendly?

Do you have any other comments on the idea?

Would you like to take part in a discussion with other members of local community groups on 25th September, to explore the idea further? This will take place in Portobello Community Centre, Adelphi Grove, from 7pm - 9pm. Yes  No 
If so, please give your:

E-mail address:
Postal address:

Please return your completed questionnaire to Tom Black, 6 Law Place, Portobello, EH15 1TJ or e-mail it to HYPERLINK "mailto:tommyblack@hotmail.co.uk" tommyblack@hotmail.co.uk

[Porty]

25th September- bit late for the questionnaire is it not?