Islington Tribune - News: Nursery could be forced to close if charges plan goes ahead

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 18 May 2007

Janet Gilbert, fourth from left, with parents and children at Bandstand nursery

Nursery could be forced to close if charges plan goes ahead

FOR more than 30 years the popular Bandstand Nursery at Highbury Fields has provided an affordable and safe environment for toddlers and their parents and guardians.
Now all that is under threat with a plan by the Lib Dem-controlled Islington council to charge the charity a market rent for the centre it has always occupied for free.
The Bandstand is one of dozens of subsidised charities – including the affordable Aberdeen Park nursery – using council-owned property which could be forced to close down due to their inability to meet the new enormous proposed charges.
The nursery, which accommodates about 1,000 children a month in the summer, is holding an Open Day on Tuesday from 1-2pm with food and entertainments in an effort to rally support.
Chairwoman of the voluntary management committee Janet Gilbert said: “We receive a grant from Islington council for £17,000 to pay for two workers. But we have never paid rent because we are not a business.
“If the council decides we have to pay rent then that is it – we’ll have to close. If that happens it will make life very difficult for local parents and carers in the borough.”
Labour opposition leader Councillor Catherine West said her party would be watching the results of a consultation into the plan to charge market rents.
She said: “It appears aimed at hitting parents who earn under £30,000 who will bear the brunt.”
Deputy leader Lib Dem Cllr Terry Stacy said the supported the voluntary sector but wanted to develop a fairer system for the managing of properties.
He said: “The council owns more than 60 buildings and has an obligation to get the best return for taxpayers. But we also want to make the best use of the accommodation so that each organisation uses a property that matches their needs.”