In the continuing saga of the proposed massive cuts to funding for vulnerable people on the Island, a stakeholder meeting has been organised at The Riverside Centre for the end of the month.
The meeting follows one that will take place between Steve Beynon, Chief Executive of the Isle of Wight Council (IWC) and the Trustees of the Centre.
We understand that an invitation to the meeting has also been extended to Senior Officers and Isle of Wight Councillors.
Shirley Smart, Riverside Chairman, and someone involved since the inception of the Charity said “Service users continue to be very anxious about the future, and have expressed concerns about the future of the Riverside Centre and what might be planned for the site.
“The Centre has received correspondence outlining the planned reduction in funding, and the meeting with the Chief Executive will cover the funding issue, the future of the Riverside Centre, and comments made in the media, by the IW Council, in respect of the Centre and employees of the Centre.
“The Riverside Centre is committed to continue working with partner agencies, including the Local Authority, to ensure services meet the needs of vulnerable people, personalisation was at the heart of why the community fundraised to build the Centre, and, whilst we welcome the proposed meeting with the Chief Executive, we need to ensure we are doing all that we can to maintain the range of much needed services provided at and from the Centre.”
The stakeholders meeting takes place at The Riverside Centre at 10.30am on Saturday 29th May 2010.
