SUPPORT THE SUDBURY NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

4.09.19pm GMT Fri 3rd Feb 2006

Councillors Bob Wharton & Chandubhai Patel with users of the Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre.

Local Liberal Democrat Councillors for Sudbury have called on Brent Council to support the Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre so that it can continue to provide an invaluable service to Brent's elderly and disabled people.

The Centre, which has been providing to local people for over 25 years is finding times tough as a result of a harsh contracting arrangement from Brent Council.

Whilst Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre provides a service for over 100 people Brent Council only pays for 60 contracted places. As a result the Centre which recently completed a much needed extension at no cost to Brent is facing an annual deficit of around £30,000.

The Liberal Democrats are calling on Brent Council to purchase an extra 20 places from the Centre to help bridge this gap. They claim that there is an unmet need for local services for elderly and disabled people in the area which the centre can provide but only with Brent Council's support.

Brent has already seen the collapse of a well established voluntary organisations - The Triangle - and the Liberal Democrats are demanding early Council support to avoid a repetition.

"The Local community is dependent on The Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre which provides a lifeline to many elderly and disabled people who couldn't continue to live in their own homes without their support. It's time for the council to help before it is to late." Says Liberal Democrat Sudbury Councillor Paul Lorber.

The Centre is organizing its own fund raising events and the Liberal Democrats are supporting their appeal for a new minibus. They are however also urging Brent Council to increase grant funding between £20,000- £30,000 to help pay for the core services.

Anyone wishing to help can send a donation made payable to "Friends of Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre" and sent to Sudbury Neighbourhood Centre, 809 Harrow Road, Sudbury, HA0 2LP