SALTASH Town Council has deferred a decision on whether to provide financial support to Community Enterprises PL12 after councillors said they needed more information about the organisation’s future plans.

The decision was made after directors of the community interest company asked the council to consider providing financial support “in principle” if required, as well as appointing two councillors to attend its board meetings.

Peter Ryland, a director of Community Enterprises PL12, attended the council meeting and spoke to members about the report submitted for consideration.

Community Enterprises PL12 volunteers regularly participate in community events to raise funds for their vital work.
Community Enterprises PL12 volunteers regularly participate in community events to raise funds for their vital work. (CEPL12)

Community Enterprises PL12, formerly known as Saltash Gateway CIC, was established around 20 years ago to provide services considered beneficial to the town which were either outside the council’s remit or couldn’t be directly funded by it.

Its activities have included helping bring vacant premises back into use, establishing Lovingly Local and Scrapstore, and taking on 18 Belle Vue Road to ensure Citizens Advice could remain in Saltash.

The building is now also home to the Foodbank and Story Book Dads.

The organisation also operates the Community Kitchen at 8 Fore Street, providing hot meals and fresh food to people in need. During the winters of the early 2020s, the premises were also used as a warm space.

Another Fore Street property provides a shop for local crafters, while Community Enterprises PL12 has supported organisations including the local Veterans Association and Dementia Voice, now known as Memory Box.

The report told councillors the organisation was now at a “pivotal stage” because the lease on the Community Kitchen premises at No. 8 Fore Street is due to expire.

It said the kitchen had been heavily subsidised by the organisation’s other activities, grants and donations, but that grants were becoming increasingly difficult to secure.

Directors said the organisation’s reserves would not cover its running costs for another three years and that they needed to ensure it remained financially sustainable and solvent.

They were not seeking an immediate grant from the council, but asked whether the council would be prepared to provide financial support if necessary while a new business plan was developed and implemented. They also sought council support with plans to realign the organisation and make it self-sustaining in the longer term.

The report highlighted the range of people benefiting from the organisation’s work, including people with dementia and cognitive impairment, those on limited incomes, local crafters, Duke of Edinburgh students and people seeking social interaction.

It also provides space for other charities and helps reduce food waste by redistributing food and providing meals for the community.

However, councillors said they could not determine a position on the request for financial support because supporting financial information and a business plan had not been provided.

Following a vote, with nine councillors in favour, none against and one abstention, members agreed to defer further consideration of the proposed development and financial support until the requested information is submitted.

Councillors did agree to provide representation on Community Enterprises PL12’s board. Mayor, Cllr Brian Stoyel, and deputy mayor, Cllr Brenda Samuels, were appointed as the representatives, with Cllr Jane Suter named as a substitute.