Community group on Grimsby's Nunsthorpe estate faces closure over unpaid rent
A GOVERNMENT-lauded community group on Grimsby's Nunsthorpe Estate is facing closure – a revelation that comes just two days after an ITV documentary "did not show the estate in a good light".
It is claimed the Nunsthorpe Together community group owes £140,000 in unpaid rent and maintenance costs to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) for the use of St Martin's Church Hall, which it uses as its base.
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Support: Billy-Jo Vinson, Molly Hutton, Conrad Adams, Holly Hill and Tony Avis are hoping to keep their "key" voluntary organisation going.
And although negotiations with the PCC to secure a deal to retain the use of the building are underway, the PCC says unless a satisfactory arrangement to pay back the money and a formal lease for any future use is agreed, the group will have to leave.
The group, which took occupancy of the hall in 2004, holds community activities such as bingo, dance classes and go-karting, and is credited with helping many of the estate's residents turn their lives around.
MAYFAIR ESTATE AGENTS
IF WE CANNOT FIND YOU A TENANT WITHIN ONE MONTH WE WILL FIND YOU ONE FOR FREE, YES FREE, YOU WILL PAY NO FEES.
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Contact: 01472 355 553
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Its predecessor, the St Martin's Community Action Group – which was behind the hugely successful, but now defunct, Funhouse project – received Government praise in 2005 for its work. Antisocial behaviour tsar Louise Casey described those involved as national examples.
The whole issue will be at the forefront of a Grimsby Telegraph debate at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk today between 12.30pm and 2pm.
Community champion Steve Hill, who has campaigned to improve the lot of residents on Nunsthorpe for nine years, will answer questions, along with representatives of Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council.
Meanwhile, Nunsthorpe Together says it has no means of paying the unpaid rent bill – but that they will fight to keep their home, claiming the service they provide is "vital". They have launched a petition.
Committee member Tom Elliott, 33, says the service helped to steer him away from drugs and get his life on track.
He said: "I was a heroin addict and lived on the streets until I was welcomed into this community group.
"The leaders gave me the support and guidance to change my life. I can not thank them enough.
"If the group no longer existed here, children will soon go back to old ways and cause trouble."
Billy-Jo Vinson, also of the group, said: "Where does the church expect us to find £140,000?
"We are a voluntary organisation which is key to the community. We will fight to stay here and urge everyone to sign our petition."
Molly Hutton, 16, takes part in activities and helps run the cafe – but claims to be frightened of reverting back to her old self without any of it.
Molly said: "Before I got involved with Nunsthorpe Together, I was out all night drinking and I would end up smashing windows around the estate. Here, I have something to focus on and do.
"The leaders listen to you without judgement. It would be awful if the group was no longer here.
"The estate and community need it, as there is nothing else to do other than be on the streets or bored at home."
The Rev Andrew Dodd, priest in charge of Great Grimsby team ministry, said, as yet, the group had not made a satisfactory offer.
He said: "Nunsthorpe Together has never held a proper lease for the church hall. One was drawn up years ago but never signed.
"There are a lot of background problems and complications, but one of the main issues has been finance.
"As an act of goodwill, we have already asked around and looked for other venues to house the group if the decision was taken to move them out. Unfortunately, no one has come back to us."
The news comes after ITV's Exposure: Driven From Home was broadcast on Wednesday, which has been criticised for a biased portrayal of daily life on the Nunsthorpe.
South ward councillor Jane Bramley said: "The programme did not show Nunsthorpe in a good light.
"We have problems with drugs, violence and unemployment, but personally I would have shown a lot more of the good things and the nice families that have been here for years."
Replay today's debate about Nunsthorpe's appearance on ITV show Exposure
Above: A video taken as the editor's debate took place earlier today
Comments
by shella27
Friday, October 19 2012, 10:13PM
“@ david mantle aparently mr and mrs hill live on the edge of the estate not actually in the estate as such!!”
by Beagleyes
Friday, October 19 2012, 8:12PM
“What did those who took park in the documentary really expect from the production company
Was anyone really surprised at the finished result
Time for all to work together ......again”
by davidmantle
Friday, October 19 2012, 7:06PM
“They didn`t pay rent? How strange - and they live on Nunsthorpe!”
by calypso
Friday, October 19 2012, 7:01PM
“Wof13 wrote: "i cant understand why anyone would want to knock the fact that kids have somewhere to go! would you want your kids hanging around the streets?"
Er .. no (doh)
But if they *were* hanging around the streets at night causing trouble, I wouldn't let them out, it's as simple as that. Especially on a school night! Who's in charge here, the parents or the kids?
I'm getting a tad fed up of kids and parents whingeing that the kids 'have nothing to do'.
Or should I say parent (singular) because you can bet your sweet bippy that the majority of those kids causing mayhem hail from one-parent families where fathers are absent.
The mothers obviously can't control them.
And THAT I'm afraid, is at the root of all societies problems these days.. the destruction of the traditional family unit.”
by MatQuinn
Friday, October 19 2012, 4:53PM
“If every able bodied member of the Nunsthorpe all came out at dusk, and battered each of these mindless little wasters, DAILY... the issue would be flattened in days.
If the police were able to turn up, round up these little chavs and give them a daily battering... the issue would be flattened in days.
If the Mothers and Fathers of these little wasters found some guts and handed out proper discipline to their under parented / educated offspring... the issue would be solved in weeks.
If the Army turned up and grabbed each of these pointless wastes of space and gave each a job to do abroad, for the Country... the issue would be nulled.
If prisons WERE prisons, justice WAS proportionate and honest / hard working citizens who PAY to keep the country running allowed to hand out correct justice and actions - this country would climb out of the gutter again.
I actually face-palmed at the documentary when that "Donna" woman tried to make out it's about respecting the kids for them to respect you! Eradicate senseless, moronic ideas like hers and it's a start.
I think society is not far off the point where police are going to be seen as inadequate - it'll be time to start taking matters into our own hands and scaring these oxygen thieves straight.”
by Chixxey
Friday, October 19 2012, 4:09PM
“Personally I would have liked to have heard from the leaders at (apparently?) "Safer and Stronger Communities" Spencer Hunt and Colin Lomas. I would have liked to hear some level of accountability from both of these high salaried people. How in all the years they have sat back and received salaries, have they made the Nunny a "safe and strong community"? Crime figures show a different story. If ASB and crime figures show any decrease, that would be because people have no faith in the police or the procedure and fear reprisals, not because there is a genuine reduction in ASB or crime.
Quite clearly, via the programme elderly women leaving the estate in fear after having their windows, fences etc broken (one of them even driven home by Ms Hill), both the Hills are not "champions" at teaching the community youths "respect". There is none. They have failed. How then can they be portrayed as "champions"?? They have failed the same as Mr Hunt and Mr Lomas.
If these individuals have no secrets and practice transparency, why are none keen to show any accountability for their failings????”
by Chixxey
Friday, October 19 2012, 4:01PM
“In regard to the comments about kids returning to crime and ASB if the place is closed down = blackmail, what more do you expect from kids who have been supposedly taught "respect" by an armed robber????”
by Bizarre57
Friday, October 19 2012, 3:57PM
“There are absolutely no community facilities on the estate where I live, nor were there any on the previous estate where I lived. Neither did any of my three children go around smashing windows and nor did any of their friends. What they did have was a whole lot of love from their parents and the instilling of respect for others. They didn't need thousands of pounds of lottery funding to learn those things.”
by Deafman
Friday, October 19 2012, 3:04PM
“Totally agree "01GrimReaper" I feel embarrassed that I have been accused being a Stockton follower? Who is another person that is full of his own self importance. I have not joined the debate to support any organisation because I am not attached to any. I am an individual with some knowledge expressing my views!
You to have a wonderful day "w01f13", but I will have my say in a democratic world?
Just a little advice there is no doubt that you are attached to the funhouse so while you are still there why not start by practicing what you say to start working together with other on the estate.”
by 01GrimReaper
Friday, October 19 2012, 1:47PM
“Contrary to popular belief, Stockton doesn't have a following. Just look at the election results.
Year after year after year. Same result, different party - unelectable Stockton.”