Broken promises

FRUSTRATED . . . wheelchair user Sylvia Barrass with club chairman Fred Hembrough and members John Attree, Frank Evans, Roy Barrass and Jack Rushworth

Anger as council plans for disabled toilets at popular over-60s club go down the pan

MEMBERS of an over-60s club have hit out after the council ditched proposals to install disabled toilets.

They were first told around two years ago that money had been found for the work.

Builders then visited the Chadderton centre at St George’s Square sheltered housing complex. Surveys were completed and tenders received.

But the council has now said that the cash is no longer available for the centre which has whist drives twice a week, snooker, bowling and social evenings.

John Attree (62) is also a member of the Oldham branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. He said: “It is very difficult to bring people who are in a wheelchair down here because there are no facilities. As a result they are excluded from the social side of things here.

“A lot of events are organised by the committee, they go to a lot of trouble.

“I think it’s dreadful. They are not really making it clear enough as to why it can’t be done.”

Chairman Fred Hembrough was told by a council officer that the money was available from a pot to improve disability access.

He said: “We had high hopes but it went on an awfully long time — we actually lost two of our members who use wheelchairs.

“It began to improve this year. Some builders came to the centre, drawings were made, a surveyor came in and everything was in place. We expected something to happen.”

By this time, the original council officer had left so Mr Hembrough got in touch with his replacement in a bid to find out what was happening.

“She told me the work had been put on hold. I couldn’t understand why,” he added.

“We are frustrated. The money was available, the tenders had gone in, it was just a case of the council giving the go-ahead.

The club contacted Chadderton South councillor David Jones for help. He has also been unable to get answers.

Councillor Jones said: “Until before Christmas I was informed the money was available and it would be done before the end of the financial year.

“There are a lot of people who would like to go to the club but don’t, for the simple reason that they can’t physically get into the toilets there.

“I have been trying to track someone down who can give me answers. Perhaps it has been done as part of a spending freeze but I would think disabled facilities should not be frozen.”

A council statement failed to clear up why the funding had initially been promised.

Elaine McLean, executive director for the economy, places and skills, said: “As part of the overall corporate property review, the council has a duty to ensure that it offers value for money.

“It is important that all investment by the council is properly scrutinised. As this property is included in this review, it would be premature to reach a decision and possibly spend money unnecessarily prior to the review being completed.”