GIVE US OUR CENTRE BACK SOUTHWARK

6 March 2009

In regard to Nunhead Community Centre (News, February 26):

This purpose built community centre, built by the former G.L.C., has stood empty for over two years because it was neglected by the council for years and fell into such a state of disrepair that it arguably led to the probable illness and death of a much loved and respected community activist.

Local people in Nunhead see the centre as an essential hub of the community and a very large part of the activities that used to be organised there are no longer happening. Vulnerable members of our community are becoming increasingly isolated. This is particularly true for our young people and the elderly.

We have had all sorts of promises, most of them as it turns out, empty.

Nothing seems to be happening and when I have raised it with the Chief Executive Annie Shepperd, and with senior councillors of the majority group, I get denials and bland responses - all this from a council that can find five million pounds a year to rent new offices plus several more millions to refurbish and furnish them.

 It is an absolute scandal that they can find this sort of money to rent offices that cannot even accommodate all the staff who will be working there (News, February 26), but cannot find enough money to refurbish our community centre - a centre that has been at the heart of community activities since it opened over thirty years ago.

I would like to think that this is just another example of a disorganised council that constantly gets its priorities wrong, but I suspect that this is a case of an uncaring council whose most senior officers and senior elected members do not care about what happens to our community.

Senior councillors try to make all the right noises but the truth is that their lack of concern and inactivity leaves us with the kind of problems that, as our elected community leaders, they have a greater responsibility to resolve than we do.

I cannot remember who it was who said ‘Give us the tools and we will finish the job' - no doubt someone will tell me. I am saying give us back our community centre and we will start to address some of the social and anti-social activities in this area. Do it now before it is too late.

Cris Claridge, Secretary, Nunhead Green Community Centre Campaign Committee & Nunhead
Community Forum.

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