Redbridge Conservatives today pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with communities, families and children reeling from the news that the Fairlop Sailing Centre would be closed.
Council leader Jas Athwal was forced to face residents in a meeting set up by the Sea Scouts yesterday evening after nearly 5,500 people signed a petition in just 5 days urging the Council to reverse the closure – after Fairlop Sailing Centre last week confirmed that redundancy letters had been sent out to staff.
Cllr Jas Athwal claimed to have no knowledge that the Centre would be closing, despite a commitment in his Budget, due to be delivered next Thursday, to save £78,000 in 2021/22 and a further £12,000 in 2022/23 by closing the Sailing Centre. The Council Budget also attacks the Centre for not being “efficient” and “commercial” enough, although it is doing a tremendous job of serving the local community.
At yesterday’s meeting, Cllr Athwal pledged to “look into” the budget proposals but he would not give a commitment that the staff would be reinstated and the savings reversed.
Conservative Group Leader Cllr Linda Huggett said:
“Cllr Jas Athwal claims he had no knowledge of his plans but it’s there in black and white – his own budget promises to save £90,000 by keeping Fairlop Sailing Centre closed. We are losing a tremendous community thanks to this Labour Council. We will not standby and allow this vital community asset that has brought so much to the health and wellbeing of the people in this borough. We will fight tooth and nail to save Fairlop Sailing Centre.”
Conservative Health Spokesman Cllr Suzanne Nolan said:
“Redbridge aspires to be a great place for families of all kinds and to improve health in the borough. Yet one of the jewels in the Borough’s crown, the Sailing Centre, which opens up a whole world of sports for children of all backgrounds, have been abandoned by this Council.”
