Telford community centre operators refuse to attend dispute talks
A dispute over activities at a community centre is no nearer to being resolved after the operators refused to attend mediation talks.
The building run by Telford West Indian Association (TWIA) was closed four years ago for improvement works which have since been completed.
But campaigners from another group the Reclaim Telford West Indian Association claim that the prolonged closure prior to the pandemic resulted in sports clubs and community groups having no home.
Following a protest attended by about 30 residents last autumn Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council offered to host discussions between the two parties, but the TWIA turned down the offer.
Parish clerk Jonathan Brumwell said: "The demonstration held outside the West Indian Association premises - on October 31 was discussed during the public forum before the parish council’s meeting on November 3 and the clerk was instructed to write to the West Indian Association offering the use of Hadley Community Centre for meetings between the association and other stakeholders.
"At its next meeting on December 1 the chairman informed the council that he had received a response from the chairman of Telford West Indian Association declining the parish council’s offer to facilitate contact between the association and other stakeholders.
"There has been no further communication between the parish council and the association."
Donna Yee, of Reclaim Telford West Indian Association, said: "We are currently following legal advice and will be holding a public meeting online soon regarding the situation.
"A meeting was offered and the parish council offered to facilitate between the two groups, however, the TWIA responded and said that they did not want to meet.
"We have tried to contact the TWIA chairman Verley Brisset, but because he refuses to meet with us, we have no choice but to take legal advice. The community continues to suffer because the centre is closed and nothing has been offered by way of outreach support during Covid which is very disappointing."
The Shropshire Star has approached the TWIA for comment about the claims.
Mr Brisset, of the association, previously said the operators hoped to reopen the centre earlier this year depending on the coronavirus pandemic guidance.
“Of course with the current restrictions everything has to be Covid secure before we can open,” he said.
