Some Updates from LETRA

The former Marcus Garvey youth centre

LETRA recently asked our MP, Andy Slaughter, if he could find out from H&F, if there were any developments in their plans to sell off the youth centre in Marcus Garvey Park and for an update on the future of Barons Court Library. In response to this request, the council wrote to back him, with an outline of their plans. Unfortunately, the news for both facilities is not promising.

The youth centre was broken into by teenagers last year, causing internal damage, so it has been decided by the council, " to dispose of this building, having taken into consideration both the cost of repairs and the number of users.”  A poor decision, in LETRA's opinion and a big loss of a particularly well sited premises, which if it had been run regularly for the youths of our community, could have gone some way to alleviating some of the ASB, that we are blighted with at present.

Barons Court Library

 The council are still pushing ahead with its plan for Barons Court Library, as “officers are working with various organisations to deliver a neighbourhood centre from the Library and to develop it as a community hub, including a library service;” also stating that, “ further information is likely to be available in December.” What this means is still vague, as to how much of a library service will remain and as to what a 'neighbourhood centre' turns out to be. Also, if H&F follow previous form, there will be an announcement just before the Christmas holidays, so stifling any criticism of their proposals, as many people will be away. We will have to wait and see.

Nasty Rumour Update: 4/11/11

 It looks like reports, that the Citizens Advice Bureau is to become part of the 'neighbourhood centre' in the library building, are firming up. Local community website W14, state they have, "very reliable information," in which their source says "CAB have been approached to move from their offices in Mund Street to Barons Court Library."  If this happens, there won't be a lot of space left for a reasonably resourced library at the 'centre', perhaps one or two sections would remain, leaving just a token service. A poor substitute, for the excellent branch library, that serves our local community at present.