'A deal is close to being agreed': 200 people turn out for under-threat Dudley library and health centre meeting

About 200 people turned out for the meeting to discuss the future of the Ladies Walk Centre in Sedgley, which was held at the village's All Saints Church.

The future of the building, constructed under a private-deal in 2001, has been in doubt since it was revealed that the 25-year lease on it would expire in March next year.

The meeting was told that Dudley Council, also acting for local health trusts, had now made an offer to the owner to landlord, which was now under consideration.

Dudley Council's director of housing and assets Kathy Jones a valuation of the building was also being carried out.

She said the company had a duty to its shareholders to deliver best value but was very keen to work with the council and trusts. 

They were also looking at the option of buying the building but were currently only negotiating on leasing on a long term basis.

Details of the amount that is being offered for leasing were not revealed at the meeting, but she said the lease could not be continued at the amount that was currently being paid. She described it as "very expensive."

Dudley MP Sonia Kumar said no money from the Government's plans for new neighbourhood health centres would be available. She is pressing for one of these centres to be based in Dudley.

 She stressed that Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum had scotched rumours the Ladies Walk Centre could be used for asylum accommodation.

"There are no plans to use it for asylum accommodation. Any claim to the contrary is wholly incorrect," she said.

Former Sedgley councillor Michael Evans asked what period of time negotiations would take.

Kathy Jones said: "if  we have not moved forward in four weeks time that is the point at which we will actively look at other places."

Sedgley resident Elaine Bouckley asked for a commitment that there would be no interruption in provision of services if the lease was not signed in time. She said she feared loss of services if it was not extended.

Firm commitment

Kathy Jones said there was firm commitment to have no gap in provision of services.

She added that the council was looking at making better use of the building including for a housing advice hub and providing community and voluntary services.

If the efforts to secure the fresh lease prove unsuccessful, there is a back up plan by Sedgley's Ridgeway Surgery and other GP practices in the area to buy Ladies Walk Centre to continue to offer health services from there.

Miss Kumar said she had spoken to the surgery which was keen to consider taking on the facility to get more space.

Councillor Ian Sandall said he was confident that a new lease would happen and library and health services would be kept in Sedgley.

Councillor Damian Corfield added: "I am sure that in the next few months we will have a solid agreement and will carry on with the services that we all use."

Councillor Shaun Keasey said he was frustrated that the matter had not progressed as fast as it should have.

A further meeting to report the outcome of the negotiations is to take place in September.