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.

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