|
That is the question facing Arts Council England
over our Jacksons Lane Community Centre.
Just over a couple of years ago I went to the thirtieth anniversary
celebrations of the centre - an evening thick with reminiscences about the
excellent community campaigning that went into bring about the creation of
the centre in the first place. The event included a production called
'Motions in Time' by Daryl Beeton - an actor with a disability - and highly
appropriate given how Jacksons Lane led the way in its work making disabled
actors a parity in the profession. That is but one example of the benefits
Jacksons Lane has brought the community.
Its courses and events have brought so much enjoyment and knowledge to the
community - and, like any great community resource, has enriched and
strengthened our community too. Whenever I've visited - whether on official
business or to sample its offerings myself - I've been struck by the breadth
of events and range of people involved.
Sadly, though, this much loved community centre now faces losing key funding
(a £125,000 a year grant) because the Arts Council have questioned Haringey
Council's commitment to the centre. And if Haringey Council isn't committed
to the centre, why then - goes their logic - should they also put money in?
Wouldn't their money be better spent on, and get more value from, projects
in other communities which do have full local backing?
The problem is that Haringey Council is the landlord at Jacksons Lane - and
for years and years did nothing much on the maintenance of the building. The
Centre itself is in an invidious position as I guess it has always been
difficult for it to criticise the hand that feeds it - and so it has always
tried to get help without making a big fuss and been reluctant to attack the
Council publicly. The need for some major renovations work built up - a
situation made worse by a storm causing roof damage in early 2006 that was
so severe the centre had to close.
Haringey dragged its feet for a long time on sorting this, though in the
run-up to the last council elections suddenly found the money the repairs
after all - handy thing, elections! But this reluctance to fund repairs -
combined with Haringey Council's refusal to give the centre a 25 years
lease - have made the Arts Council doubt Haringey's commitment. If the Arts
Council cuts its grant, things will be very grim for the Jacksons Lane.
Already the refusal of the 25-year lease means Jacksons Lane missed out on
applying for a £1 million grant from the Community Asset Fund (one of the
lottery funds) and now with the Arts Council grant under threat too things
are not looking great. So I've been busy lobbying the Arts Council and also
working with the area's councillors (Bob Hare, Justin Portess and Neil
Williams) to mobilise the community to make sure that our voice is heard.
I think Neil Williams (Liberal Democrat Council Leader) got it spot on when
he said, "Jacksons Lane is a wonderful community asset for Highgate,
providing classes and a space for meetings that is really valued by local
people - but it has been badly neglected by the Labour Council."
The Arts Council may have good reasons to doubt Haringey Council's
commitment - but we must make sure they hear loud and clear the message that
the rest of the community is committed to the centre. As well as collecting
signatures door-to-door on a petition, we have also been running an online
petition - which I hope Ham and High readers will sign to. It's at
www.ourcampaign.org.uk/jacksons - please do sign it!
In the meantime, for me it's back to lobbying, lobbying, lobbying -
otherwise know as nagging which, as I've commented on before, is right up my
street as a middle-aged woman's life skill!
(c) Lynne Featherstone, 2007
Getting these columns in future
Or, you can subscribe to my columns feed:
|
Haringey dragged its feet for a long time on sorting this, though in the run-up to the last council elections suddenly found the money the repairs after all - handy thing, elections!
