August 15, 2023 - 1370 views
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has launched an online petition to save Abergele Youth and Community Centre after claiming the local authority took a decision to close the facility without consulting with the public or those who use it.
According to Mr. Millar, Conwy Council has announced that it will not be taking any further bookings from the centre from September 29th citing heating costs and cost cutting as the reason for the decision.
He was informed of the plans by users of the centre on Friday and has now launched a petition in a bid to save the centre, which is used by a number of community groups in the area, including the U3A (University of the Third Age), WI Abergele (Women's Institute), and Autumn Club.
In the meantime Mr. Millar has written to Conwy County Council urging them to review their decision.
He said: “I am very concerned to learn that the local authority appears to have decided to close Abergele Youth and Community Centre without any public consultation or engagement with stakeholders, particularly those which use the building.
“This facility is much loved and has been well used in the town for many years, so understandably the groups who meet there are outraged. I have received a number of emails over the last few days from residents who are desperate for it to remain open.
“This facility is an integral part of the local community and its closure would be a great loss and could force groups to close down, impacting on people’s mental health.
“The fact that the council made the decision without consulting with those who use the centre is wholly unacceptable and I have written to officers urging them to reconsider the decision.“
A spokesperson for the Council said: "The former Abergele Youth Centre situated on Market Street in Abergele is a large, ageing building in need of repair.
"Currently this facility sits within the Youth Service portfolio but is no longer used by the youth service due to the location and internal structure.
"Abergele Youth Club has relocated to the Canolfan Dinorben Family Centre, which provides more modern facilities and is better located for activities at Abergele Leisure Centre.
Cllr Julie Fallon, Cabinet Member for Education, added, “The move has strengthened the youth provision offered in the area, and ensures that our youth service budget is spent on youth activities rather than maintaining an old building that needs significant investment to bring it up to modern standards.”
“Unfortunately, bookings for the building haven’t returned to the same level as before Covid, which has also had a financial impact on the service trying cover the building’s annual running costs.”
A number of community groups are still using the building, but only parts of the building are used and only for about a third of the available time. The groups have been notified and advised of alternative facilities in the area.
The building will close at the end of September.
The building will now go through the Council’s asset disposal process, which will look for alternative uses and/or disposal to secure the future of this Grade II listed building.
