by Robert Perry
Kingston Green Party is supporting a Surbiton mental health charity that’s been evicted from the premises it has leased from the council for over 40 years.
The Fircroft Trust was informed by Kingston Council without notice or consultation that its Mental Health Resource Centre on Ditton Road is too structurally unsafe to be used.
Green councillor Sharron Sumner has written to the councillor responsible for adult social care, Fiona Boult, asking to see the evidence behind the decision. Sharron said:
“At a time when mental health services should be the cornerstone of our society, the council is treating The Fircroft Trust as an inconvenience.”
Sharron has requested sight of the structural surveys undertaken, maintenance schedules completed by the council and the building control report that declared the building unsafe.
The charity was aware of some structural problems in the building and offered to contribute towards renovation costs last summer. Despite this, the council just decided to block access to the premises. Sharron said:
“The property can’t just have become unsafe overnight and we want the council to explain its actions. Fircroft provides vital services to people with mental health difficulties in our community, so this issue needs to be resolved quickly.”
The council has offered alternative accommodation but the charity has found their suggestions to be ‘totally unsuitable’.
The incident follows recent confirmation that Kingfisher Leisure Centre will not reopen after the council closed it in 2019, stating that urgent repairs needed to be made.
It has now been announced that private property developers will build a new leisure centre and residential tower blocks on the existing site.
Sharron will keep challenging council decisions over Fircroft and Kingfisher Leisure Centre. If you want to join the fight to get the Kingfisher repaired and keep it publicly owned, please sign our petition. (petition now closed).