H&F Council sell-off follows pre-election bribe (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats <info@hflibdems.org.uk>

H&F Council sell-off follows pre-election bribe

July 30, 2010 9:34 PM

Tory boasts about council tax cuts earlier this year have come back to haunt the neediest in the Borough, as funding shortfalls have led the council to propose a massive sell-off of assets.

Among the dozen or so buildings the Council plans to dispose of is Palingswick House at 241 King Street, home to 21 voluntary organisations. H&F Lib Dems have long campaigned against the sale of Palingswick House to private developers and are lobbying the Palingswick House Trust board to ensure that proceeds from any sale will be ring-fenced for charitable purposes, in line with the original legacy.

Other buildings ear-marked for sale include the Irish Cultural Centre at Blacks Road and the Carers Centre at 182 Hammersmith Road.

Commenting on the Council's decision not to renew the lease of the Irish Cultural Centre, Merlene Emerson said: "The fact that this news has come as such a shock and surprise not least to the trustees of the centre shows the Council's lack of consultation.

"Their decision to try to balance their own books after years of Council tax give-aways to the better off have led to the present need to sell off the family silver and key Council assets. Bearing in mind the large Irish population that had settled in the borough and continue to be resident here, it also reflects short-termism and a lack of consideration of the needs of our diverse communities."

Also in the pipeline is the proposed sale of the Princess Royal Trust H&F Carers Centre to raise £1.7m for the Council's coffers. The Tory Council claims that they are more concerned about people and services than they are about buildings. H&F Lib Dems would like to see how our Council will deliver for the 1000 carers who currently use the centre.