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13.12.04
Liberal Democrat councillors in Crouch End have unanimously condemned a
proposal by Haringey Labour-run Council to close Red Gables Family Centre,
which is located in Crouch Hill N8 and provides vital health and
well-being facilities for children and families. The closure would enable
the Council to cut £260, 000 from its budget.
The announcement made at the Social Services and Health Scrutiny Panel
comes just months after the Council announced the closure of
two day hospitals for people with mental health problems in the area.
Despite Lib Dem Health Spokesperson Cllr Aitken and Crouch End colleague
Cllr Peter Floyd voting against the closure on grounds that new children's
centres promised will not be up and running for at least two years, the
Labour members forced it through.
There is also fear that the centre, located on a prime site in Crouch End
could be sold off to a developer for a large capital sum, depriving the
west of Haringey with a much needed facility and leading to yet another
high density housing project in Crouch End. Fellow Crouch End and Lib Dem
councillor Dave Winskill backed the opposition to the closure of Red
Gables.
Cllr Winskill (Crouch End) comments:
"This is an appalling decision which
is badly managed and has the strong smell of political neglect in the
west. This side of the borough has been crying out for years for decent
educational provision: to create another massive hole for two years in the
already depleted provision is beyond belief.
Cllr Aitken (Crouch End) adds:
"It is yet another closure of vital service
by Labour. It has been a miserable and uncertain year for vulnerable
groups in Haringey who looked to New Labour to protect them, instead jobs
and facilities are to be cut and dedicated staff and carers face
uncertainty. We will continue to fight these closures."
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