We are petitioning Sheffield city council to allow freehold purchase for community ownership of 4 Maxwell street, for the ongoing purpose of childcare and as a registered charity within the S4 area of sheffield. Ellesmere children's centre has operated within this building for over 20 years and is currently rated OUTSTANDING in all areas by Ofsted. Currently only 35% of the premise is in use as the rest has been boarded up and left in despair by the council who have failed to complete basic maintenance of windows, drainage, guttering, roofing etc.The centre and its services are an amazing asset to the community and one of the only establishments that offer a much needed baby unit within the local area. Sadly the council have retracted their offer of purchase, and are now pushing for leasehold ownership. The centre very much feels that the council want to leave the charity to carry out repairs which should have been completed several years ago by the council themselves at a great cost to us, whilst they maintain ownership! We believe this is unacceptable, immoral and wrong! We would ask that the council allow freehold purchase of the property under community ownership and leave the centre to continue its much needed and valued services,