130 people attended the Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association Public Meeting yesterday evening where the proposed closure of Goldenhill Community Centre was discussed.
Councillor Lee Wanger, Chair of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, which can make recommendation to the council’s cabinet about the centre’s future agreed to come and talk to residents and centre users at the meeting, this was due to Cabinet Member Randy Conteh who represents communities declined to attend after saying he did not have anything further to report due to the centre’s future being referred to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
Councillor Lee Wanger confirmed that the 1,000 plus petition would go to him and his committee, and residents/centre users are welcome to attend the next Overview & Scrutiny Meeting on the 16th March.
Councillor Wanger confirmed that the council has no proposals to close Goldenhill Community Centre, and then went onto to reassure everyone by saying “we have no intention of closing it”.
Councillor Wanger said that the centre can’t go on losing money, but added, we need to find a way forward to make the building more viable.
Residents were further informed that Abi Brown, Deputy Leader of the City Council was to deliver a budget presentation at the meeting, but she cancelled in late December after confirming attendance back in August 2016, reason being a budget presentation was being delivered two day’s previous at Stoke’s Civic Centre, and should residents wish to meet up with her, then they were welcome to do so. It was further said, it is disappointing news that a Council Leader believes it is correct not to honour an agreement to come and talk to a large number of residents in the north of the city, who she represents at such a high level.
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