THURROCK Council’s plan to create a network of “community hubs” across the borough has come a step closer.
Aveley now officially has its Community Hub and portfolio holder for communities, Cllr Richard Speight said: “We have worked incredibly hard to secure the support of local people and local organisations in Aveley to make sure our latest hub gets up and running.
“To start with it will be run from the Aveley Youth and Community Centre and the library while we work on the new building.
“Once the new building is ready the two centres will merge and the library will be moved into the hub so it will be able to offer a much wider range of services over longer hours.”
However, he emphasised that while the new building was being built, “the community hub will still offer its support to other local groups.”
And Alan Field, chair of the Aveley Village Community Forum, said: “We are proud to be a partner in the Aveley Community Hub Partnership and pleased the plan for a new centre is making a real step forward.
“We will continue to work with our partners to bring the centre and the new and improved facilities called for by villagers to a fruitful conclusion as soon as possible
“This is a great example of the council and the voluntary sector working in partnership. Aveley has been waiting a long time for a community building it can be proud of – I’m pleased that that ambition is closer to being realised.”
