WHITEHILL Town Council has committed to investigate taking on the management of the widely-used Forest Community Centre in the town.

The council could take over the reins from the Whitehill Bordon Community Association, which is looking to hand over responsibility for the building.

At an extraordinary meeting of the town council on March 26, the 13 councillors present voted unanimously to approve an initial feasibility study and will now draw up a full business plan to ensure the management is financially viable.

Before councillors went into exempt session to discuss the proposal, they heard from a member of the art and craft group, which meets at the Forest Community Centre, who explained the importance of the group to its members, including the importance of a local, accessible venue. The member asked for reassurance that their ‘hidden voice’ would be heard.

In a statement, East Hampshire District Council, which owns the building, said that, in the meantime, the centre will continue to be managed by the community association and will remain open for business as usual.

At last year’s annual general meeting of the community association, its chairman, Lawrence Tristram, said that although income from room hire had increased, income from unrestricted grants given by local authorities had fallen.

The centre in Pinehill Road houses offices for the town council, East Hampshire District Council and Citizens Advice as well as rooms for community uses.