Save our centres
Protest over closure plans
Campaigners are set to protest at West Lothian Council’s offices tomorrow (Friday) as they continue to fight the proposed closures of support centres.
Save Our Ability Centre - West Lothian will hold the protest at the civic centre in Livingston at 1.30pm and are asking as many people as possible to come out and support them.
The campaigners, who are fighting against the council’s decision to close the Ability Centre in Livingston and Eliburn Support Centre, will also hand over a petition to council members which has been signed by over 6000 people.
Tracey McMahon, a campaigner whose husband Raymond attends the Ability Centre, says she is hoping there is going to be a large crowd for the protest.
Tracey said: “It’s a much-needed centre, it helps hundreds.
“They have no idea the dismay it’s causing to the people it’s helped. It’s absolutely shocking and it’s affecting their health.
“This is to protest to the council and give the petition to them so they take notice and listen.”
Charlie Hogg, group leader of West Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group, plans to attend the protest and has also written a letter to council leader, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, detailing why he believes the Ability Centre should be saved.
In the letter, Mr Hogg highlights a number of concerns including the fact that the centre is the focal point for a number of support groups in West Lothian, including his own.
The letter also states that the centre has, “tailormade programmes of occupational, educational and therapeutic opportunities which have helped so many people to rebuild their lives”.
He also describes the Ability Centre as a “lifeline” for many of the users.
The council have proposed to close the Ability Centre and Eliburn Support Centre as they try to find £73 million over the next five years.
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Whilst the council will always seek to improve services and make them more efficient, implementing cuts to services is not something that we want to do.
“However the council is just like any household in that we can only spend what budget we have. The council must, by law, balance its budget. Under the proposal, people who use the Ability Centre, and who are eligible, will continue to receive a day care service either at Quigley House which is also located in Livingston or an outreach service.
“The move would allow the council to continue to deliver services and make the financial savings necessary.
“We would also emphasise that the consultation is ongoing and no final decisions have been made on the proposals.
“It is very important to remember though, that if some proposals are not taken forward and agreed, other budget measures will have to be put in place to make up the budget shortfall.
“We would encourage local people to not only provide feedback on proposal but also make suggestions on what services the council should consider to be stopped or changed.”
The consultation is available at www.westlothian.gov.uk/transforming. The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/west-lothiancouncil-stop-the-ability-centre-in-livingstonfrom-closing