OXFORD is being run, it seems, by a corporate society. Civil society is passing away.

I have just listened carefully to agents of Oxford City Council selling the merits of their new contracts to voluntary sector tenants at East Oxford Community Centre (EOCC).

One thing is clear; Oxford’s voluntary sector is being forced to accept a contract that is commercial in every way.

The aim of the commercial contract is to extract as much money from the voluntary sector as possible, and force them to accept more responsibilities for the upkeep of the buildings.

This is in complete contrast to EOCC which has always had a policy of having rents that were lower or similar to the lowest in the district.

I fear that the new policy will result in people who cannot pay more having to leave without having public space to rent.

Listening to the legal team at Oxford City Council, it seems to me it is clear that their aim is not to support Oxford’s fragile voluntary groups; but to extract as much money for the council as possible.

It is clear that what is happening is a large change for the voluntary groups who rent space in the buildings. Under the new contracts, if a tenant’s payments are late, Oxford City Council can charge the tenant for loss of interest.

In a week when Oxford City Council has announced the closure of two more community facilities in East Oxford, the city council’s planned take over of the management of East Oxford Community Centre will increase the financial burden on essential voluntary-led community activities.

CHAKA ARTWELL
Campaigner to save East Oxford Community Centre
Cranley Road, Barton, Oxford.