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Advice centre axed to cut costs in spite of protests

Vanessa Cornall
30/ 7/2008

AN ASIAN advice centre is facing closure as councillors grow concerned about community cohesion.

The Community Advice Centre, formerly the Asian Advice Centre in Charter Street, Accrington, currently runs from premium rate offices in Accrington Town Hall paid for by Hyndburn Council.

The council has now decided to close the centre at the end of August after more than 20 years amid fears it is causing racial segregation as well as increasing costs.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I realise there has been a lot of public concern regarding the closure of this centre but the council is in a very difficult position. The Government has cut our revenue regardless of what anyone might say and this is an expensive resource.

"If representatives from the Polish community approached us today for an information office we would have to say no and refer them to other service providers in the borough because to set up an exclusive Polish service would create division."

Monday’s Cabinet meeting was attended by 22 service users who gave views as to why the centre should remain open.

One said: "The whole Asian community feels very strongly about the need for the community centre to remain open. I understand your points about cost and cohesion but we really rely on this service. Could we not move it somewhere cheaper?"

Central ward councillor Mohammad Ayub said: "Many other people benefit from this advice centre apart from the Asian community and in my view we should be putting people first, rather than money."

During the meeting it was made clear that the centre, which had previously offered advice on immigration issues, was no longer able to do so because it is not a registered body.

Cabinet member for leisure, arts and parks, Councillor Lynn Wilson, said: "In the 20 years this advice centre has been running the number of external bodies offering this type of service has multiplied. I think we need to take this into account because we are obviously paying for an overlap of services."

Councillor Britcliffe said: "The current advice centre will cease to operate from 31 August, which is 31 days longer than previously stated. I will then get the council’s managing director to consult with a small working group led by Councillor Allah Dad to explore the feasibility of a possible relocation of a streamlined service.

"I understand that this may not be exactly what the Asian community wanted to hear but I think it is a fair compromise."