Control of Calderdale college building set to be transferred to community group

Calderdale Council Cabinet members are asked to agree to the transfer of Todmorden Community College in Burnley Road to the Todmorden Learning Centre (TLC) organisation – but it will involve some financial risk.

Officers recommend they approve the transfer, which would see the council providing a maximum £117,500 buffer over the next three years.

The money for this will come from residual funding from the Local Business Growth Initiative, of which £265,000 remains from a £1 million grant awarded 15 years ago, although this would reduce funding available for the Todmorden town centre capital scheme.

Briefing papers say the buffer is needed because the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic brings uncertainty to income which might be realised.

If more income is brought in, the council’s financial commitment would reduce accordingly.

The council will also provide proactive advice and support to TLC, if councillors approve the transfer.

But offficers advise that, on balance, the project meets the council’s aims.

Alongside running “unique” courses on natural building and agro-ecology, TLC would provide affordable retail opportunities for businesses, space for community-based services and a hub for council services.

The building houses a council Children’s Centre and Todmorden Town Council’s office as well as a youth club, although the latter’s future is subject to separate council deliberations.

Calderdale Council will continue to pay rent to TLC for the space it takes, estimated to be around £37,500 a year.

Rejecting the transfer will remove the building’s potential, councillors are told, while the asset transfer will also open up funding streams TLC cannot access until it begins formal operation.

The briefing papers, setting out the risk, warn: “In the event of financial difficulties at TLC, the council would need to consider either more financial support, to a level currently unknown, or seek to terminate the agreement.”

But if the transfer does not progress: “The town will lose an opportunity to establish an innovative educational and community hub with clear benefits for the local community.”

Cabinet meets virtually next Monday, November 9, from 6pm, and the meeting is screened on the council’s YouTube channel.