1:10pm Thursday 5th August 2010
By John Geoghegan
PLANS to build a community and health centre in a disadvantaged area have been dealt a huge blow after the Government pulled its funding.
The £900,000 of funding from the Department of Education towards the St Luke’s Healthy Living Centre, in Southend, is being withdrawn.
Previous plans for a £4million centre with community facilities and children’s services plus a GPs’ surgery, dentist and district nurse services, looked in jeopardy earlier in the year because of health spending cuts.
But in June, the council decided to go ahead and build the centre with community and children’s services, using the expected Government cash, while the health trust would add services at a later date.
The council plans to offer community and children’s services, including family support and training for youngsters.
But, as a result of the Government introducing stringent measures to reduce the budget deficit, this has been thrown into jeopardy.
Nigel Holdcroft, Southend Council’s Tory leader, said: “The council and its partners are extremely disappointed at the withdrawal of this significant grant, as without this money we will be unable to deliver our original plans for the healthy living centre.
“It’s frustrating to get all the way to this point and then the funding is pulled.
“I’m not prepared to give up on it until I’m absolutely convinced the project is not deliverable.
“It’s something we are still trying to achieve at the moment, whether in whole or in part.
“We remain firmly committed to addressing the health inequalities in the area and will explore all options available to see what sort of service can be developed in this part of the town.”
Mr Holdcroft said it was unlikely the council could afford to pay for the project from its own budget so would continue to look for external funding.
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