Joint Statement

Today, West Sussex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, Jeremy Hunt, gave the go-ahead to start the process to potentially transfer the ownership of the Park Centre in Burgess Hill to a community organisation ( please see Decision details on public web site for the full details.)

As the centre is currently owned by the St John’s Institute Charity, of which the county council is the sole trustee, the next step involves a Charity Commission process and agreement.

Cllr Jeremy Hunt said: “Due to the history of the building and a strong representation from the community, we agreed that this property presented a good opportunity for a Community Asset Transfer. There is some way to go but this is a positive first step and we look forward to working collaboratively with the community organisation so we can achieve a successful transfer.

“When looking to dispose of surplus assets, and where appropriate, we always give due consideration to a range of options, including social, community or environmental use, especially if they can support local, community-delivered activities that better meet local people’s priorities. This dovetails with a priority in Our Council Plan : ‘Making the Best Use of our Resources’.”

Karen Taylor, Chair of Park Centre Burgess Hill Charitable Incorporated Organisation, added: “The local community have shown great support in taking on the Park Centre as a valuable local asset. Many locals have grown up using the building and the aspiration is for this building to continue to support the young people of Burgess Hill in the future.”

Factfile: some key moments in the Park Centre’s history:

• The St John’s Institute, now known as the Park Centre, was built in 1872 and gifted to the town by 19^th Century artist and philanthropist Emily Temple. 
• The Institute was originally used for a range of recreational and leisure activities, including reading rooms, concert parties and major events, such as religious and political meetings. 
• It was vested in the Charity of Emily Temple by a Charity Commission Scheme of 1 November 1912 and then transferred to the St John’s Institute charity in 1929.
• West Sussex County Council became the sole Trustee of the charity in 1974.
• The centre has had various uses since 1974, most recently as a youth centre and home of the Mid Sussex Find It Out Centre and Escape Youth Club.