Volunteers at Mornington Hall in North Chingford have mobilised a campaign against the council’s attempt to radically change the terms of the community centre’s lease, reports Marco Marcelline

A campaign has been launched to “save” a community centre in Chingford amid an attempt by Waltham Forest Council to either reduce the length of its lease or increase the rent by 254%.

Mornington Hall has been managed by the Chingford Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (CADOS) since 2005, but it now faces an “uncertain” future thanks to a, volunteers say.

The hall currently has a footfall of 500 people per week and is used by a total of 14 community groups.

CADOS was given a 50-year lease two decades ago by the council, with the rent subject to periodic reviews. Last year the rent stood at £25,000 per year.

Following a rent review in 2024, CADOS was told by the council in January this year that they would have to give up their current 50-year lease and accept a new five-year voluntary and community sector (VCS) lease of £17,000, with a three-month break clause.

CADOS say that signing such a lease will be “discouraging” to volunteers’ putting in long-term effort into Mornington Hall given it could be “drastically” changed in five years or even at three months’ notice.

An email seen by the Echo shows a council officer stating that the alternative is to pay a commercial rent of £85,000 per annum, backdated to June 2024. This 254% rent increase would lead to “bankruptcy”, CADOS says.

The email reads: “If you choose to retain your 30-year lease, the rent review must be carried out in accordance with the terms of the lease and as you know our property team has assessed the open market rental value at £85,000 per annum which will be effective from the June 2024 rent review date.”

The Echo understands that the threat of backdated rent has since been removed, while the council has stated it is additionally willing to extend the VCS lease from five to 15 years on the condition that CADOS successfully applies for a £120,000 National Lottery grant.

However, CADOS committee chair Jacqueline Logan described the offer as a “catch-22” because the lottery funding is only awarded to organisations that already have a minimum 15 year lease.

Jacqueline added: “We want to work with the council to find a solution and are prepared to consider other lease options, provided a 254% rent increase is not part of the negotiations. Our volunteers will not be encouraged to carry on volunteering time and money into a community centre that only has a five-year lease, especially with the threat of bankruptcy over their heads.”

In a statement to the Echo, Dr Vicky Ashworth, cabinet member for stronger communities, said: “In October 2023, the council agreed a VCS Rent and Leasing Pilot policy to deliver a fair, transparent, and consistent approach to lease arrangements and rents for VCS tenants including CADOS across the borough.

“There are a few options being considered that seek to recognise CADOS as part of the VCS rather than a commercial organisation, in line with other local groups, and to consider the social value it provides and funding it can access.

“We apologise that our initial message to CADOS was unclear and for the uncertainty and upset it caused. Council officers have already met with members of CADOS to listen to their concerns and provide reassurance that we are keen to continue working with them so the valuable offer for Chingford residents can carry on. We are confident that we can reach a mutually acceptable outcome on the length of a future lease.”

Cllr Ashworth added: “We are very proud of the incredible work that local VCS organisations like CADOS do in Waltham Forest. We are soon going to launch a new sector-led Council for Voluntary Service that will work with VCS organisations to provide support and help them grow their funding.

“To be clear, Mornington Hall is not under threat and there are no alternative plans for the building. CADOS is an amazing organisation that is really valued for the work it does.”

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