Enfield Council has defended its move to close and sell off The Parker Centre in Edmonton following criticism from the boss of Age UK Enfield, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter
The charity running a dementia day care centre facing closure has shown “support” for a new relocation plan, according to Enfield Council.
The Parker Centre in Houndsfield Road, Edmonton, houses an Age UK Enfield dementia service but was included on a list of assets for sale along with eight other council properties, despite recent concern from staff and residents.
Age UK Enfield’s interim chief executive Lesley King-Lewis called the proposed closure of The Parker Centre “disappointing and deeply concerning” in September.
But at an overview and scrutiny committee debate on Monday (7th), Doug Ashworth, the council’s head of development, emphasised that it was “not a service cut” because “we’re looking at a relocation”.
The move being considered is to Rose Taylor Day Centre in Brimsdown, another day care centre closed by the council last year.
Tim Leaver, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, said the concern raised around the closure of The Parker Centre was “well founded” but said officers had been in conversation with Age UK Enfield and the issue would now be considered during the assessment on whether or not the building would be sold.
Cllr Leaver said: “Let’s be very clear, this is a proposal for the disposal of council surplus assets. It’s a list of assets that we have identified to consider for sale as we right-size the council’s assets.
“Like any organisation we want to keep those assets under review and ensure the assets we use are appropriate for the services we provide; they need to perform as an income generator supporting those services.
“There are assets that don’t do this, they don’t support our services, they may not perform well, or are different from our core business, and this is what our surplus assets are for.
“With the list we’ve been very clear, it’s not for this group to decide whether we should sell them or not, it’s for the cabinet to make a decision on behalf of the local residents and that itself needs to be done with the appropriate review and governance.”
Speaking on The Parker Centre’s inclusion on the list, Cllr Leaver said: “It’s a clear issue, and a clear concern, this is one of those issues we’ll be looking at in determining the sale.
“It’s our responsibility as the landlord, but we have a responsibility to ensure that the premises are fit for purpose.”
Regarding the proposed move to Rose Taylor Centre instead, Conservative councillor Michael Rye questioned whether the council’s call-in report, which said Age UK Enfield was “fully supportive” of the move, was accurate.
Nick Denny, the council’s director of property, said: “This to the best of my knowledge is the current position.”
Cllr Leaver said he expected to see more information on the plan, and said despite concerns raised, the council could not speak on whether they would sell or not at this stage.
Following discussion, the committee voted to take no further action.
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