No formal assessments have been carried out into the impact of the forced relocation of a centre for adults with learning disabilities planned as part of the creation of a new secondary school, it has emerged.
The High Path Community Centre (HPCC) is being demolished to make way for a new secondary school in south Wimbledon. Merton Council has insisted a new facility just as good ‘if not better’ will be built nearby, but no details have been released.
A protest against the proposals for a new school
Sue Hubbert, who represents the carers of the 80 adults with learning disabilities who use the centre, told The Wimbledon Guardian: “The only thing we have been able to find out about a new location for a centre is that there’s a building nearby that’s owned by the council we could use, and it has very small rooms.”
Ahead of a full council meeting on September 14, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon, Carl Quilliam, submitted a question to the cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Tobin Byers, asking what impact assessment had been done for HPCC users.
Cllr Byers said: “The social care staff involved with High Path know the people who use the service very well and many have experience of supporting people through other moves when centres have closed or been refurbished.
“We are therefore in a good position to understand the potential impact of a move to another site.
“Other staff from across the service and from the learning disabilities team will be available to support the service users if needed.”
Speaking on September 27, Mr Quilliam said: “I don’t doubt the ability of staff at the centre to support people through what could be a very disruptive period for the users of the service.
September 21: Protests over new Harris Wimbledon secondary school condemned by councillors as based on 'incomplete' and 'inaccurate' leaks
“But it is worrying that the council haven’t conducted a detailed impact assessment before moving the community centre.
“An impact assessment would have at least reassured people the council had done everything it could in advance of making such a big decision, especially when there hasn’t been any consultation with users or local residents in advance of the decision.”
Merton Council has previously argued that consultation will be held in full once details of the plans have been formalised.
Merton Council deputy leader, Councillor Mark Allison said: “So many young families want to live in Merton and there is a need for a new secondary school in Wimbledon.
“The government has agreed that Harris can open a school in the South Wimbledon area, but as we are still in commercially-sensitive negotiations with private land owners to purchase the land, parents would be angry if we put the school at risk by undermining these commercially-sensitive negotiations with careless talk.”
What do you think? Email letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel