If city council cut funds, we'll have to shut
COMMUNITY groups claim they will be forced to close if the city council withdraws funding for the building they use.
Six groups, which work with black, minority and ethnic communities, rely on Radford Unity Complex.
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Fears: Volunteer Joginda Singh with users of the Complex. POSTPHOTO C230210ML4-4
The organisations operate rent free under a long-standing agreement with the council.
However, Nottingham City Council has proposed closing the building in order to save £140,000 a year.
The community groups are furious at the decision and claim there has been no consultation. They are accusing the council of giving them just 90 days to find alternative accommodation and funding.
They are now organising petitions and a rally, expected to be held on Saturday, March 13, to force the council to reconsider.
"We are at serious risk of shutting down," said Balvinder Kaur, of the Sikh Community and Youth Service.
"It has not been a consultation, it has been a decision.
"We are asking the council for some funds to support us to move and for enough time to apply for funds from elsewhere."
The service supports about 75 young people and 50 women from local communities.
"We have not been successful at finding a place or core funding," said Ms Kaur. "We have had no contact from senior managers or councillors."
The Karamyog Nottingham Teaching College has been operating in the centre since 1976. It also fears closure if the council presses ahead with plans.
The college says it offers courses to about 1,000 people a year.
"[If the council closes the building] we will close," said Joginda Singh, who runs the college.
"We are a charity. We have no money at all. We have been told by the council it is very happy with the services we provide."
Rowena Holland, the Conservative parliamentary candidate in Nottingham has been campaigning on behalf of the community groups.
Leader of the city council Coun Jon Collins said: "The city council has been talking to the organisations about the closure of Radford Unity Complex since September and we have found alternative accommodation and offered financial support in the immediate future to help them through their move. Support has also been offered by Nottingham Council Voluntary Service to help them obtain alternative funding.
"We have looked at the possibility of an asset transfer but because the groups have not paid any rent at Radford Unity Complex, they do not meet the transfer criteria."
The council said Radford Unity Complex would be closing in March in preparation for the council's move to a single site and new community hubs.
charles.walker@nottingham eveningpost.co.uk
26 Comments
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by cyril, lenton
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 10:42PM
“cant the tory candidate go across the city boundary and help to campaighn against the tory cuts, closures and sell offs being excercised by her fellows in the county council or are they a differebt brand of tory- dont think so”
by Andy, Bulwell
Tuesday, March 02 2010, 10:35PM
“I used to go to this school in 1976 and cant remember a kramyog college should check the facts theyve not been there that long I moved out of radford in 87 and it was still a school anyway never known these people to benefit the locals who the place should be for”
by The Equaliser, Sherwood
Sunday, February 28 2010, 8:22PM
“Dear me.
Pete, Jackie , Marcus. Although it is fair that these groups should be expected to make a contribution to their upkeep, you are really way off beam with your facts.
Return to their own countries? Many would love to were they not at risk of rape, murder or torture. Others come here to study and to learn English so that they can return to their own communities in their own countries to improve their lives.
What do they teach? English, Pete. My friend's son volunteers there and can vouch for the sincerity of the participants. Volunteers, Pete, Jackie, Marcus et al who sit back and criticise without getting off your backsides and helping others yourselves (of course you may well do - as long as they are whote Anglo-Saxons it would appear).
Trace your own family trees and see where you came from - Ireland? France? Germany? etc
I despair more about closet racism than I do about the city council and that is saying something with Collins, Todd and their cronies running the show.”
by Pete, notts
Friday, February 26 2010, 8:07PM
“David, I'd sooner take this budget over the County's one any day.
But O.S, there's simply no way all that's going to be funded by developers; it will be by the taxpayer.
Scrap it! Mr.
Sensible, The Real World
captain , there's hope for you yet
we just need to get you some medication and you will be completely normal in no time .
alas , sadbadger , there is no hope.”
by Pete, notts
Friday, February 26 2010, 8:04PM
“The Karamyog Nottingham Teaching College has been operating in the centre since 1976. It also fears closure if the council presses ahead with plans.
what wonders do they teach?”