Row over cash hike

A RENT hike by the Welbeck Estate almost three years ago has only just been passed on to users of the Whitwell Community Centre.

A RENT hike by the Welbeck Estate almost three years ago has only just been passed on to users of the Whitwell Community Centre.

The rise has left users angry and shocked as they faced an annual increase of more than 40 per cent.

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The Guardian can reveal that landowners - the Welbeck Estate - passed on the rise to Derbyshire County Council, who sub-lease the centre to Whitwell Parish Council, in December 1999.

But the increase has only just been levied at community centre users by Whitwell Parish Council.

"We feel disappointed that this issue has gone on for so long," said Ken Astle, chairman of the Whitwell Players.

"The management committee could have implemented the increase in smaller doses in the time they have spent realising the rent needed to go up."

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"Many users feel upset because the rates have gone up so dramatically, all in one go," he said.

The centre has been located on The Square for almost 16 years.

It is regularly used by more than 20 groups including dance schools, OAP groups and Whitwell Brass Band.

Management committee chairman Coun Gary Mills has apologised to user groups for the delay but also said that the increase would help to pay for necessary refurbishment at the centre.

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"I personally apologise on behalf on the management committee for this oversight in passing on the rate increase to user groups," he said.

"The decision to put up the rates was to cover renewals and refurbishment. It was made on 2nd May this year and posters went up to that effect in the centre,"

"User groups asked for additional work to be carried out, which all has to be done at a cost," he said.

Coun Mills said that if any group felt unable to pay the increased rent should, they should approach the committee.

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"If anyone still feels they are unable to pay this amount, we would look at their individual group situation," he added.

But user group representative Coun Viv Mills feels lessons should be learnt from the incident.

"In future we should be a lot clearer on issues, to make sure everybody understands what is going on and this doesn't happen again," she said.

A spokesman from Derbyshire County Council, said: "In December 1999 Derbyshire County Council was informed by Welbeck Estate there had been a price increase on the rates for Whitwell Community Centre, which has risen to 5,000 a year."

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"In June 2000 a report given to the county council was approved by councillors.

"They all agreed that an increase should be passed on to the centre's management committee."

"This increase came into force from 11th July 2000."