A clash between two councils has been aired over the management of community centres in Earley.
Earley Town Council is responsible for running a number of hireable halls and parks in the town.
But in some cases, decisions about the running of community facilities are made by Wokingham Borough Council, which is the freehold owner and corporate landlord of the buildings.
Radstock Lane Community Centre was run by the town council, until the borough council chose to hand over the lease to the Orchard Learning Alliance, which is in charge of Radstock Primary School.
Meanwhile, the Silverdale Centre was closed in March 2023 with plans to replace it with a special school approved that October.
Questions have been raised about the changes to these centres at a full meeting of Wokingham Borough Council last month.
Councillor Pauline Jorgensen, speaking in her capacity as a Conservative town councillor for Radstock ward, said: “Earley Town Councillors are becoming increasingly frustrated that the Borough Council is not communicating professionally with our permanent staff about changes being made to properties, services and facilities in Earley.
“Recent examples have included, but are not limited to, changes to our lease at Radstock Lane community centre, previously, it was the termination of our agreement regarding our use of Silverdale Centre.
“Despite many requests and emails to the Borough council, communications about important changes such as these continue to be haphazard, sometimes being sent to random Borough councillors who happen to be town councillors, or not being sent at all until after the changes have been made.
“Many emails from our proper officer, the town clerk to Wokingham Borough Council departments have just not been responded to.
“Recently, Earley Town Council, at a full council meeting, voted unanimously to ask that this issue be highlighted and to ask the leader and CEO of the borough council to review communications with Earley Town Council and instruct officers to communicate with us through official channels in a timely manner.”
Her question was answered by Stephen Conway, the leader of Wokingham Borough Council.
Cllr Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst) said: “First, let me put on record my appreciation of all the work that Earley Town Council does for its local community.
“I know that the town council devotes considerable energy and resources to making life better for people in the town and I’m grateful for all that it does.
“My ambition is that we work closely and constructively together for the benefit of the people we all represent.
“You know that I’m committed to partnership working with a variety of bodies, including our town and parish councils.
“You know too that our officers and I have devoted a lot of time and energy to creating, building and sustaining partnerships.
“Partnerships, like all relationships, have their ups and downs. But if they’re based on mutual respect and mutual understanding, all the parties involved will try to work their way through difficulties.
“To this end, I would like to invite the leader of Earley Town Council and the town clerk to meet with me and senior borough council officers so we can address your town council’s concerns.”
Cllr David Hare (Liberal Democrats, Hawkedon) is the leader of the town council, and a borough councillor for the ward of the same, and the executive member for adult services, health and wellbeing.
Cllr Jorgensen is the leader of the opposition on the council as well.
