At this weeks Abbey ward meeting, a resident-led motion was presented calling on Leicester City Council to keep the Tudor Centre under direct council control. The motion, submitted by local service users, was supported by Conservative councillor Charleigh Barnes. However, no formal decision could be made by the ward councillors present.
Despite repeated requests from residents, Independent councillor Cllr Agath who acknowledged that he attends Labour Group meetings, chose not to support the motion. Cllr Byrne was absent from the meeting.
The motion rejects closure or asset transfer and proposes a Community Efficiency Plan, a joint effort between residents, councillors and the Council to improve how the centre runs, without shutting it down or selling it off.
Cllr Charleigh Barnes, Conservative councillor for Abbey ward, said: “This Labour-led City Council are sleepwalking into the destruction of our local services, shutting doors and dodging responsibility.
Abbey residents have spoken loud and clear. They want the Tudor Centre kept public and delivering for the community. They’re not asking for miracles, just a seat at the table to help fix what’s broken.
I back this motion fully. I’ll fight alongside residents to keep the centre open, council-run and protected from Labour’s cuts and sell-offs.”
Local resident and author of the motion, James Ellis added: “The Tudor Centre is where local people meet, learn and support each other. We know it can run better, but not by kicking the community out or flogging it off. We want to work with the Council, not fight them, to keep this place alive for the long term.”
The motion sets out a clear alternative to Labour’s chaos: local cooperation, not asset dumping. Residents and Cllr Barnes now expect Leicester City Council to listen and act.