Calls for resignations as Mexborough Resource Centre row rumbles on

THE directors of Mexborough Community Partnership have faced calls to resign after being branded “not fit for purpose”.

The partnership has come under fire over the controversial sale of Mexborough Resource Centre in late 2018, which is still under investigation, and suggestions the operation of the centre has been handed over wholesale to new owners Mexborough Business Centre.

A business rates review by Doncaster Council late last year found the building on Dolcliffe Road was still being used for the community.

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But Mexborough’s three borough councillors said the partnership itself did not seem to be playing a full part in the life of the town and questioned where financial instalments being paid by the business centre to buy the resource centre were going.

In a statement, the three Mexborough First councillors, Andy Pickering, Sean Gibbons and Bev Chapman, said: “MCP are still claiming to be delivering community services and projects from MRC but we cannot see evidence of these happening for the benefit of Mexborough.

“We feel that the current directors and trustees of MCP are not fit for purpose and should collectively resign and allow more suitable people to manage MCP who have the best interests of the town at heart and who are suitably qualified and knowledgeable to fulfil such a vital role for our town.”

The community partnership organised its annual memory trees service at Christmas but its role, if any, in other activities at the centre is unclear.

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After hitting financial difficulties in 2018, the partnership agreed to sell the resource centre to Mexborough Business Centre - owned by entrepreneur Pete Newman - in a deal that valued the building at £120,000 and allowed MCP to stay on in the premises for ten years of rent and bill-free.

The business centre, which said MCP was involved in coordinating training courses for the community, values the deal at around £300,000.

But the three councillors have repeatedly questioned the sale, pointing out it would eventually leave a community asset in private hands.

They added: “Why are MCP not investing the money they are receiving from Mr Newman each month back into the local community as per their charitable aims and objectives?

“What exactly are MCP spending these monies on?”

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The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT), which previously invested £300,000 in the building, is understood to have placed its own investigation into the sale in the hands of lawyers.

The CRT declined to comment this week.

Doncaster Council said the business rates valuation for the gallery, music academy and beauticians based in MRC was being split from the rest of the centre following its review.

It noted these businesses appeared to be of benefit to the community and said the rest of the resource centre was legitimately being used for the benefit of the community and would retain rates relief.

Mexborough Business Centre said in a statement that since buying the centre it had “worked with Mexborough Community Partnership to transform the centre into a vibrant environment with many communal activities taking place every week”.

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It said as an independent charity, MCP was “not under any obligation to carry out any activities suggested by any other individuals or independent groups”.

The business centre said all training at the resource centre was coordinated by MCP regardless to whether or not Mexborough Business Centre have made the initial contact and regular meetings were held with MCP to discuss activities and courses.

A statement from Mexborough Community Partnership said: “Mexborough Community Partnership work closely with Mexborough Business Centre, we meet regularly to discuss activities and events to take place

at Mexborough Resource Centre.

“We have full use of the community space as well as administration, storage and training rooms if and when required.

“Our work also involves, supporting the unemployed, people

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battling mental health issues, disabled and families struggling

with bereavement. 

“This program is delivered outside the Resource Centre, reaching out to people in and beyond our community.

“We wholly support the statement made by Mexborough Business Centre, but wish to make no further comment at this moment in time.”

 

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