EALING groups which have been ‘community hubs since the Second World War’ have slammed the council’s decision to go ahead with £302,000 worth of cuts.

Cabinet approved the measures back in November 2014 and the Community Centre Strategy was formed to attempt to keep the centres operational and self-sufficient.

Community group representatives attended a scrutiny review panel on Tuesday night and voiced their anger over the decision.

Greenford Community Centre is one of the most affected by the cuts and is struggling to find alternative income to replace the £88K per year they currently receive.

Vice chair of the centre Malcolm Ede said: “I am astounded. We will have to double our income once this goes through and that is simply not sustainable.

“This is not even saving £1m but it will do huge damage to the community.”

These cuts are part of plans to deliver savings of £96m by 2018/2019.

The funding will be removed over three years, meaning the centres will receive no financial support by 2017/2018.

Frank Impey, vice chairman of Northolt Grange, condemned the targeting of community centres.

“The money should not be taken from community centres. They have been a hub for the community since the Second World War,” he said.

“The council has to decide whether they want to attack the community or support the community – separation or integration.”

A council spokesperson said: "The decision to remove the council's subsidy was taken at the end of last year to help towards finding £96 million of savings by 2018.

“We plan to work with the community associations affected on a one-to-one basis to help them identify ways to make changes over the next three years in order for them to be self-sustaining and open to the public in the long term." 

The next meeting of the Committee will be held on September 24.

Picture courtesy of Mark Hillary, with thanks