Closure plan for community centre draws cross-party opposition

Alec Doyle, Local Democracy Reporter

A special meeting to discuss the future of a community centre has been called after local councillors united to oppose plans to turn it into a care facility.

All five Wrexham County Borough Councillors representing the community across Plaid Cymru, Labour, Conservative and Independents have united to challenge council plans to close Acton Community Resource Centre and turn it into an adult daycare facility.

That facility would replace the Cunliffe Centre, which currently offers adult daycare for residents over 18 with additional needs but which is no longer fit for purpose. Under the plans the Cunliffe Centre would be replaced with social housing.

The cross-party coalition has agreed to attend a special meeting of Wrexham Council’s Corporate Land and Buildings Group on April 16 to debate the proposals – which they say have been sprung on the community without any consultation.

“The community and councillors have been an afterthought in the council’s planning for this,” said Plaid Cymru’s Cllr Becca Martin. “I welcome the news that the Cunliffe Centre, which provides vital daycare services, is being updated at this new site but that shouldn’t be at the expense of local community groups for the elderly and young.

“This is robbing Peter to pay Paul and it’s ignoring the needs of residents. We want to see the site remain accessible to local community groups after the Cunliffe Centre moves there.”

Fellow Plaid Cymru member Cllr Andy Gallanders welcomed the special meeting but said it should have take place before the scheme was announced to the public.

“This should have happened before users were given three months to leave,” he said.

“The council has failed to carry out any impact assessment on the community. They’ve agreed behind closed doors on a decision without consultation or debate.

“It’s only after we went public that they’ve agreed to hold a special meeting of the Corporate Land and Buildings group and all five Acton councillors have asked to join that meeting.

“We are a united front of Plaid Cymru, independent, Conservative and Labour councillors because we feel strongly that the council needs to listen to local community voices.”

Petition

Labour’s Cllr Corin Jarvis has launched a petition at change.org for opponents of the scheme to sign titled ‘ Save Acton Community Resource Centre – pause closure and let the community decide’.

“I am in disbelief that the council is proposing to close our local community centre without considering of the voices of the people who rely on it most,” she said.

“Our community deserves a say when it comes to council decisions that directly impact our lives.

“I know many users of the centre are shocked and upset by the sudden announcement and by the fact they have not been consulted on the proposed closure.

“I have raised these concerns within the council. Considering the strength of feeling about this issue however I have also set up an online petition calling for an immediately pause of any decisions to close Acton Community Resource Centre to allow for full and transparent public consultation.

“Our community deserves to be heard. We are not saying “no” to change — we are saying decisions must be fair, open, and informed by the people they affect.”

Conservative Party member Cllr Debbie Wallice added: “Acton Community Centre has been at the heart of our community for decades.

“Removing this resource would be a huge detriment to the area – that’s why these decisions should be made with the local community, not behind closed doors.”

‘Frustrated’

The councillors’ stance was backed by Wrexham’s Labour MP Andrew Ranger.

“I have been contacted by a number of residents since this news broke earlier this week,” he said.

“Many are frustrated at the lack of consultation. The Cunliffe Centre is no longer fit for purpose and service users need better facilities.

“However, these proposals will remove an asset from the community of Acton leaving youth provision, Citizens Advice and many other organisations needing to find an alternative location.

“I will be contacting the council regarding this and would urge local residents to do the same.”