Four Birmingham day centers are being sold, a crushing blow to campaigners fighting their closure due to funding cuts.
The council needs to sell assets due to financial issues. The Labor administration approved these closures. Harborne Day Centre is a large, valuable location. Heartlands is the next largest site. Fairway is slightly smaller.
Three sites are for sale via an “informal tender.” Beeches GOLDD will be sold at auction. These sales could end efforts to save the day centers. Campaigners are still pursuing possible legal action.
James Cross has complained about the impact on his uncle. His uncle Robert uses the Harborne center. Robert has attended for 43 years. James Cross says he finds the sales disappointing.
He says it seems insensitive while residents still use the centers. He thinks restrictions might prevent loss to the community. The council says it will find alternatives for everyone. They are helping families transition to new centers.
The council says the closures are due to high costs. Fewer younger adults are using the day centers. Campaigners plan a final rally next Wednesday. They will meet outside Harborne Day Centre. They want to protest the decision.
Council papers list the venues for disposal. They do not include prices. The papers include comments from local councilors. Lee Marsham wants local groups to get the first offer to buy.
Jayne Francis did not object to the Harborne plan. Martin Brooks did not respond to requests for comment. Carmel Corrigan wants Fairway to become a community asset. Jon Hunt worries about losing the Beeches GOLDD building.
Four city community centers are also targeted for sales. Negotiations are underway for Summerfield, Oddingley Hall, Sheldon, and Stanhope. These sites, also, remain restricted to “community use”. Part of Bournbrook Recreation Ground is being sold, too.