By John Baron
Bosses at an organisation which supports older people in Armley have confirmed they are not closing despite council proposals to shut the community centre where they’re based.
Lifeline organisation Armley Helping Hands has said its services will continue, even if the council decides to close its current home Strawberry Lane Community Centre in a bid to save money.
WLD understands the building needs more than £1 million investment to stay open.
In a social media post, Helping Hands CEO Dawn Newsome said: “We want to address recent speculation and confirm that we are not closing our services or our doors.
“We remain committed to serving our older people and community and look forward to continuing to deliver vital services, activities, intervention and meeting our goals, to our older people, families and people living in the Armley and Wortley district of Leeds 12.”
Leeds City Council’s asset management department is proposing to close Strawberry Lane Community Centre and for it to be sold via the Capital Receipts Programme.
Ms Newsome’s statement added: “This proposal has been made due to the building current running costs [being] very high and the building require substantial maintenance and upgrading which in the present local government financial climate is not viable.
“The Board of Trustees are in ongoing consultation with Leeds City Council … we can assure you we have not received any formal notification of the termination of our tenancy.
“If the decision is made to close Strawberry Lane Community Centre the Board of Trustees will commence dialogue with Leeds City Council’s Community Asset Team, our commissioners’ officers and local ward councillors to look at alternative accommodation within our community that will meet our present and future needs.
“We appreciate your continued support and trust in our team to deliver vital responsive services and activities to our older people and community.”
Councillor Andy Parnham (Lab, Armley) is also a trustee as Armley Helping Hands, which supports some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
He said: “I am lobbying for services to remain in Armley and in a building which is large enough to accommodate their needs. I understand there are some issues with the building’s sustainability.”
WLD understands parts of the community centre are currently unused.
And Cllr Lou Cunningham (Green, Armley) added: “As a member of the Board of Trustees and local councillor, I am supporting Armley Helping Hands with the current situation surrounding premises requirements.
“Our local Neighbourhood Network provides invaluable support and care within our community and it is crucial that the service remains within our ward.”
Leeds City Council is aiming to reduce its spending by almost £104 million by the end of the next financial year. Job losses and the sale of buildings are among the proposed savings.
The council faces rising costs in services such as adult social care, while central Government has underfunded local authorities across the country over the past 15 years.
Lats month WLD reported on a council u-turn to reverse plans to cut 10% of their funding of neighbourhood networks across Leeds, including Armley Helping Hands.
And WLD last month featured a protest against the proposed closure of nearby Stocks Hill Hub in Armley, which provides lifeline support to people with mental health issues. Users say they face a lengthy journey by public transport if the council moves services to Horsforth.
Follow WLD’s ongoing Cutswatch series – which chronicles budget cuts in West Leeds by local and national government – here.
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