Day Centres Saved

3.46.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Oct 2003

Councillor Serge Lourie, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition on Richmond upon Thames Council has welcomed the decision by the Tory administration not to close any day centres.

"We were very concerned that there would have to be a closure because of the budgetary requirement to save £100,000; the day centres review and the fact that a closure was referred to in the first and second versions of the Council's Asset Management Plan."

I am certain that it was pressure from the Liberal Democrats at the Mortlake and Barnes Common by-election and the subsequent outcry from local residents that has saved our day centres."

At the Council Meeting on 30 September, Lib Dem Councillor Eleanor Stanier asked what progress had been made to involve the voluntary sector at Barnes Green Day centre, in the light of its importance to the Barnes and Mortlake community.

After being told by the appropriate Cabinet Member that "until the consultation is completed, it would be premature to begin any formal arrangements with the voluntary sector," Lib Dem Councillor Denise Carr then asked " which day centre would be closed in order to make savings of £100,000 to the budget"

To which she received the reply "We are closing no day centres."