Let's save the Greek Cypriot Women's Centre

For over 30 years the Greek Cypriot Women's Centre in Denmark Road has devoted itself to helping women from the Greek Cypriot Community to adapt to life in this country and to celebrate Greek cultural heritage. The many services which it has provided include keep fit and the teaching of the use of computers. The Centre is unique in its concentration on the well-being of women.

Unfortunately, the lease which the Centre held from the Council became the subject of a notice of surrender under Section 27 of the Landlord Act 1954. It is uncertain whether the notice was legally valid. Furthermore, even if it is legally valid, contentions have been made that those who gave the notice only did so because they came under improper pressure.

What is, however, certain is that whatever the legal position may be, the Council, does not have to stand on its strict legal rights. As landlord, it can arrange for the Centre to continue, especially given the doubts which exist as to the validity of the Section 27 notice in the first place.

With this in mind, Cllr Adamou and I have approached Claire Kober, the Leader of the Council, with a request for a meeting. No clear offer of a meeting, however, has thusfar been made by her.

At the recent meeting of the Council on 18th November the Centre made a Deputation which contained an eloquent plea for its continuance. In response Cllr Goldberg offered to meet with its representatives, but indicated (if I understood him correctly) that the Centre was to be treated as having been surrendered and that no concession would be made to the organisation if it wanted to get it back, despite the length of its time there and the value of its services to the community.

I hope that everyone in the HoL area will support the Centre. It can be reached at greekcypriotwomensorg@gmail.com. In addition, there is an on-line petition http://www.petitions24.com/gcwo

David Schmitz

Liberal Democrat Councillor for Harringay Ward