OAPs unite to save centre (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

OAPs unite to save centre

August 18, 2010 11:32 AM

local Lib Dem Councillor Terry Stacy and local pensioners protesting against Labour's plans to axe the Sotheby Mews Day Centre

OAPs from across Islington have reacted with shock and disbelief at plans announced by the Labour-run council to stop funding the Sotheby Mews Day Centre, in Highbury, N5. Local Liberal Democrat politicians have also condemned the plans.

The centre, which is run by Age Concern Islington on behalf of Islington Council, provides activities and a lunch club for over 70 elderly residents from Highbury and other parts of Islington on a daily basis. The mother of local resident, Baroness Meral Ece, uses the centre regularly and is said to be very upset about the decision to cut funding for the centre.

The Chief Executive of Age Concern broke the news to local pensioners who use the centre, they were horrified to hear the council plans to cut the funding for the centre. The Labour controlled council told Age Concern that they intend to "cut" the money the organisation usually receives from the council to run the Highbury centre. Age Concern had been expecting £160,000 from the council but they have been told they will not be getting a grant from the council this year.

The Sotheby Mews Centre sits in the heart of Highbury on land worth millions, this has led to concerns that there are plans to sell-off the building and that this is behind the Labour council's decision to cut funding for the centre.

Local pensioners who use the centre, whose average age is over 70, pledged to fight the funding cut and save the centre. They were joined by local resident and Highbury East Lib Dem councillor, Terry Stacy, who said:

"Labour claims to protect the vulnerable. But in less than a month in Islington we have seen Labour councillors cut £2.8million from Islington children's services, £3million from Islington tenants and now they are closing pensioners' day centres. So much for Labour being on local people's side!"