A REPORT recommending the closure of Baneswell Community Centre will go before a Newport council cabinet member on Wednesday.

The report recommends the cabinet member for human resources and assets, Councillor Gail Giles, should officially declare the building in Stow Hill, Newport, as surplus to Newport council requirements and to dispose of the property.

Earlier this year, the Argus reported that Newport City Council warned residents that the community centre needed over £170,000 of essential repairs if it were to remain open. But despite a fight from locals, the community centre management committee have now expressed a desire to close the centre after Christmas 2014.

There is currently no internal demand for the property, therefore the report proposes to give a notice period to the management committee, in which time existing users of the building are supported to find alternative accommodation.

The community centre is adjacent to Baneswell Community Centre and Nursery, which is situated at the end of Bailey Street and St Mary Street, and was declared surplus to education in 1999. It is now vacant and in a state of disrepair and has also been confirmed as surplus to requirements.

In February this year, the Council held a public meeting about the centre, where the council’s property services manager Don Waters gave a presentation outlining why the centre was at risk. He said: “The large old building set on many floors did not comply with disability regulations” he also said there were “serious risks with mechanics and electrics”. However, the updated report states that the general voice of the community is that the centre is wanted.

Member of Newport City Council, Cllr Kate Thomas' report on the community centre, updated in March 2014, which features in the report to be put before the cabinet member said: “The future of the centre has created a great deal of concern and was discussed at the Stow Hill Meeting in February 2014 at which 28 people were present, most of whom expressed an active interest in supporting the continuation of the community centre.

“At this meeting intent was expressed in supporting new user groups, organisations and individuals to expand the use and occupancy of the centre.”

If declared closed, the property will be disposed in order to release a capital receipt or rental income.