A former mental health centre is set to be sold to a neighbouring mosque after being shut down by the council.
The Vales Circles support hub in Beeston was deemed surplus to requirements after a shake-up of community services by Leeds City Council. It was closed following a decision last April to reduce the number of centres offering the city’s Day Opportunities service from six to three.
A council report said talks over a sale of the Tunstall Road site had been held with the Al Madina Jam-E-Masjid Mosque and terms were provisionally agreed. It said:
“Disposal of the property will result in a capital receipt for the council as well as absolving the council of any retention and maintenance costs.
“The disposal of the property to a neighbour provides a clear and practical use for the property, benefiting the local community and maintaining its stewardship in the local area.”
Services provided at Vales Circles, on Tunstall Road, were moved to Laurel Bank Complex Needs Centre in Middleton as part of plans to save £500,000.
It was also announced that the former Stocks Hill hub in Armley would be auctioned. The Armley service was set to move to Calverlands Complex Needs Centre in Horsforth. A third centre in Lovell Park was moved to Wykebeck Complex Needs Centre in Gipton.
The report said ward councillors and Hilary Benn MP were consulted on the future of the Beeston hub. It said: “It is proposed that Vale Circles will be disposed of on a one-to-one basis in financial year 2024/25.”
This post was written by Don Mort, Local Democracy Reporter
Photo: Google
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