The future of the Jigsaw community initiative in Lichfield is set to be reviewed.

Jigsaw

The centre on Dimbles Lane is currently operated by Fusion Credit Union under a grant funding agreement with Lichfield District Council.

But as the local authority looks to find ways to plug a gap in its funding – predicted to be more than £1.5million in 2020/21 – the £9,663 it gives to the facility each year could be under threat.

Proposals for a review will go before a meeting of the council’s community, housing and health overview and scrutiny committee tomorrow (10th January).

A report to the group explains: “The first funding agreement was put in place from January 2014.

“The overall purpose was to ensure that the community premises known as Jigsaw continues to provide meeting space, information, signposting and support to local residents and offers appropriate services.

“A subsequent agreement was agreed in 2016 and this now ends in April 2019, so a review needs to be undertaken.”

Jigsaw originally opened in 2007 as part of the now-defunct North Lichfield Initiative and has operated as a community hub ever since.

However, the report highlights that changes such as an increase in people accessing information online and the introduction of a £7,500 annual rent for the building in 2017 means a review will now need to look closely at the long-term viability of the funding.

The report adds: “This review will feed into the future funding decisions for the Jigsaw project, based on the evidenced impact the Lichfield District Council funding has provided so far.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

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AnnS
5 years ago

Yet another vital community service will be axed, of this I’m in no doubt, as this and many other councils seem intent on destroying and punishing the vulnerable in society. Shame on you. However, I will eat my words if I am wrong.