CONTROL over a community centre which had eight volunteers suspended after a bullying row will come under closer scrutiny in the autumn, it has emerged.

The city council cabinet is preparing to receive expert advice on how Warndon Community Centre has been managed over the past seven months before making any firm decisions on what to do with it.

In January the Worcester News exclusively revealed how eight members of the centre were suspended after allegations that a youth worker at the centre was bullied.

The three councillors sitting on an 11-strong board, Jo Hodges, Pam Clayton and John Buckley, have since resigned and handed control of the Shap Drive centre back to the city council, saying that it would be best for the community. Since then visitor numbers have increased and the centre has been meeting all its financial targets.

The centre is now fully managed by council staff who operate under an 'advisory group' of people with an interest in the centre.

Head of developmental services Alan Stuttard said: "At some stage we will have to decide what happens with it, and I am planning on drafting a report to cabinet in the autumn so they can get up to speed on it. All I'm keen to do is have a long term, sustainable centre that properly serves the people of Warndon.

"Since the problems things have gone very well. Visitor numbers are up and more people are coming in that stopped going before," said Mr Stuttard.

"We have been getting very positive feedback from customers, and I am not keen to fall into the old trap. We will probably want to expand the advisory group to include more people - to have a very broadly based group who take an interest in the centre, managing it."

The bullying allegations centre on claims a youth worker, 36-year-old Julie Sadler, was insulted by volunteers while she was greeting visitors to the centre.

Former chairman and vice chairman Deana and Tony Cook have denied the bullying allegations.