Liberal Democrat Councillor Wayne Hoban has today called on Haringey Council to explain why a last-minute decision has been taken to withdraw funding for the refurbishment of a Muswell Hill after-school club building.

The Grove building in Alexandra Palace Park was closed two years ago on health and safety grounds and had been earmarked for renovation. However, the Council has now withdrawn funding because, according to them, at £150,000-£200,000 it is “not good value for money”. This is despite the fact that George Meehan, Executive Member for Children & Young People, had given an assurance only six months ago that it would go ahead. Parents had originally been told that the new after-school club would be up and running in the Grove workshop building by early 2005 and this has since been kicked into the long grass.

The Grove Workshop Advisory Group and Cllr Hoban had worked with the Council on this project since June 2004. Encouraged by the Council, architects had been appointed, full and detailed plans had been drawn up, costings presented and approved, and planning permission sought and given. Yet at a meeting with council officers last week, attended by Cllr Hoban and Cllr Gail Engert, Lib Dem Education Spokesperson, shocked and angry parents were informed that the project has been abandoned.

The decision effectively leaves parents back where they started, with inappropriate ‘temporary’ playgroup facilities in the basement of the Baptist Church in Dukes Avenue and no viable solution to their childcare dilemma, and the summer holidays fast approaching.

In view of their concerns over this decision, Cllr Hoban and Cllr Engert have asked the Council to provide a copy of the project feasibility study and costings at the earliest opportunity.

Cllr Hoban comments:

“It beggars belief that the Council has decided to withdraw funding at this late stage due to “lack of funds”, especially given that the Government is pumping £2.5 million into Haringey primary and secondary schools over the next three years to enable the school day to be stretched to ten hours for pupils who want to take part in before and after-school clubs.”

Cllr Engert adds:

“Haringey Council has recently trumpeted that an extra £5 million has become available due to overestimation of the budget to tackle homelessness in Haringey last year. It is therefore frankly not credible that funds could not be found to ensure completion of this vital project.”