Legal Action over Clissold

Legal Action over Clissold

On 3.3.04 Richard Caborn MP, Minister of Sport and Tourism, wrote to Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North & Stoke Newington, home of the jinxed Clissold Centre.

Dear Diane,

Thank you for your letter of 8^th March regarding the closure of Clissold Leisure centre, which I read with great interest. I can appreciate the difficulty you have found obtaining information on an issue that is of immediate interest to you and your constituents. If an MP finds it difficult what hope for the rest of us? PB

As you may be aware this is the situation as it stands: the London Borough of Hackney is currently considering issuing legal proceedings against Leisure Connection plc (the management agents for the leisure centre) and the construction company Gleesons because of the systematic design faults that have forced the closure of the leisure centre much to the disappointment of your constituents. Hackney Borough Council has estimated that it will take between three and six months to work out the cost of the remedial repair." Was there a reason for citing LC before the construction company? How might LC have been suspected of contributing to design faults?

To further complicate matters the Chief Executive of Leisure Connection plc has himself expressed dissatisfaction with Hackney council and is considering suing for loss of earnings. It appears to be the case that Hackney have breached terms and conditions of the contract on two counts - they have not fully delivered the project , and they have not succeeded in keeping the centre open. Yes, it is annoying when an organisation doesn't deliver and fails to open!

The proposed court action is not currently a definite prospect. Sport England, for example, are very keen to avoid a legal scenario, and are trying to facilitate reconciliatory talks between Leisure Connections plc and Hackney Council." Is anyone trying to reconcile the ratepayers who will end up paying even more for the leisure centre or those locked out of it?

With regards to a meeting to discuss the issues of policy that are raised by this concern, I am unable to accept your invitation, as my diary is very heavily committed at the present time. I do hope that the present situation can be resolved in a way that suits all parties.

Your sincerely