Darwen's Access Point faces budget cut threat (From This Is Lancashire)

Darwen's Access Point faces budget cut threat

10:00pm Thursday 31st January 2013 in News By Dan Clough, Reporter

DARWEN Access Point could be sold or closed under budget cuts by the borough council.

The facility is owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council and rented to organisations such as Connexions. Until recently, the Job Centre also used the building.

But borough leader Kate Hollern said it could be closed or sold to claw back some of the deficit the council’s budget faces.

Coun Hollern said: “We are currently looking at every facility in Darwen. There is an organisation interested in buying the centre, which would be a double win.

“If we can sell the Access Point then we could get back some money and those facilities may still be offered. We are looking at using our buildings efficiently, so if it worked out cheaper to move the facilities there to somewhere else then we may do that.”

Last week, Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs announced they were required to make £30million of savings over two years.

Coun Trevor Maxfield said the Access Point was under-used and the council had no choice but to protect the main buildings in the town.

He said: “Every council building is under review because of the 20 per cent cuts we face. No-one wants to see buildings shut, but if it guarantees the future of other well- used buildings like the town hall, then we have to find the money from somewhere.

“At the moment it is only under review.”

Groups which meet at the Access Point include the job club, Connexions, a private nursery, computer drop-in sessions, an apprenticeship programme, youth offending team and job advice service.