STUDLEY Leisure Centre could be in line for a £600,000 grant from Stratford District Council.
The authority’s Cabinet approved the plan, plus £500,000 to set up a ‘Venture House’ business centre and also earmarked £250,000 for Alcester’s Greig Centre over two years.
It’s recommendations will now go forward to full council on Tuesday, April 24, for final approval.
If given the go-ahead the cash for the leisure centre would see the creation of an on-site gym on the Pool Road site.
Half a million pounds has also been earmarked to set up a business centre for start-ups or workshops in one of village’s former county council buildings .
Meanwhile Alcester’s Greig Centre is in line for £250,000 in two £125,000 chunks for investment in the ‘Lifestyles’ side of the building to speed the transference of the site into council hands.
Councillor Hazel Wright (Lib Dem, Studley & Sambourne) admitted to be ‘slightly dazed’ at the news, but pointed out that Stratford, with millions of pounds in reserve, was under pressure to use the money rather than stockpile it.
“We have got extensive reserves and we’ve got to spend it and if that’s the case, I’m prepared to take the money,” she said.
Other schemes put forward by Cabinet include £500,000 for extending rural broadband, £25,000 for culture and tourism, £50,000 to develop policies to help the homeless, £80,000 to promote community safety, and £465,000 to upgrade CCTV coverage and install digital CCTV in Henley,
Coun Chris Saint, Leader of Stratford District Council said: “The corporate projects that have been proposed including Studley Leisure Centre and a new business centre in Studley have been proposed by the District Council’s Cabinet.
“However these recommendations now need to be referred to Full Council for approval.
“Given the District Council’s strong financial position, we have the funding available for these projects and I’m confident that Full Council will approve all the proposals put forward on the list.”
