High hopes long-awaited community centre in Chichester will be in place by autumn
An exciting project to help people access information about community services of all kinds has moved a step closer.
Plans for a community information centre have been approved by Chichester District Council and organisers are hoping to have the centre in place after summer.
The CIC is an important part of the New Park Community and Arts Association's redevelopment of the much-loved New Park Centre and was considered such an important aspect of the development that plans for the one-stop shop were brought forward.
The centre will now be housed in a temporary building close to the New Park Centre and eventually move into the main building once the development is completed.
Consultation will now take place with voluntary and community groups across the district, which will be using the centre.
Consultation coordinator Janet de Bathe said: "I am a true believer in the strength of communities to get things done and with a background in the development of community buildings can see how this proposal will provide key services to the community as well as being mindful of sustainability for the future.
"I'm delighted to be able to play a part in this exciting and forward-looking development."
One of the aims for the centre is that once open, organisations which currently do not have an accessible base in the city centre will be able to hold drop-in sessions where representatives from specific groups will be on hand for help and advice.
Although the centre will provide information on a wealth of different organisations, it will focus on health and wellbeing issues.
Run in partnership between the NPCAA and the Chichester and District Council for Voluntary Service, the centre will also house a well-stocked library of leaflets and publications.
There will also be computers and internet access plus a central community facilities booking service.
Members of the public can find out more about the CIC at a special exhibition at the New Park Centre.
Visitors to the exhibition are being invited to give their comments and views about the CIC and will be able to fill in comment and suggestion forms.
Vice-chairman of the NPCAA, Bill Jutton said: "We are thrilled to have made so much progress. With the continued support of Chichester District Council and Chichester and District Council for Voluntary Service, the development and establishment of a Community Information Centre at New Park is really taking shape.
"Now we have the go-ahead from the planning department it is all systems go.
"We're very pleased with how things are going. Now that we've got all the elements coming together there is no reason why it shouldn't be up and running in a couple of months.
"We've got the money, we've got the people and got the cabin so there is no reason for it not to be up and running by then."
* Any community groups and voluntary organisations interested in having a presence at the Community Information Centre or anyone interested in volunteering should contact Janet de Bathe on 01243 572163 or email info@firebrick.org.uk
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Weather for Chichester
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: North west
