Norfolk council accused over Norwich Wensum Lodge courses

Norfolk County Council took the controversial decision to close the King Street adult education venue last summer, but said it would try to find alternative venues for courses.

Courses at the centre stopped at the end of last year and most are now run at other venues.

But Conservative-controlled County Hall admitted it has not been able to find anywhere else to host courses such as silversmithing and pottery courses, which need specialist equipment.

The Wensum Lodge site in Norwich (Image: Brown&Co)

That has angered the critics who opposed the decision to shut the centre, which had provided courses since the 1960s.

Labour county councillor Mike Sands (Image: Archant)

Labour county councillor Mike Sands accused Margaret Dewsbury, the council's cabinet member for communities and environment, of having "known full well no alternatives were viable" to the silversmithing and pottery courses.

In asking a question at a meeting of the council's cabinet, Mr Sands said she had "knowingly misled council and residents".

Margaret Dewsbury (Image: Archant)

But Mrs Dewsbury hit back at the accusation. She said: "I do not believe that I have misled anyone.

"We highlighted from the start that some leisure courses need specialist equipment and/or non-standard locations to deliver, notably silversmithing and pottery courses, and that it would be more challenging to identify potential alternative locations that are viable because of this.

"We have carried out a lot of work to identify potential alternative locations, including viewing many potential venues and drafting up plans for a small number which appeared promising.

"However, when looking in detail, it has become apparent that the specialist needs could not be met without incurring significant costs.

"We are continuing to evaluate options, but need to balance any development against the investment needed and the viability of the courses we offer."

A protest over the closure of Wensum Lodge (Image: Dan Grimmer)

The council said Wensum Lodge was no longer "fit for purpose" and that it would have needed "significant capital investment" to keep it running.

Labour activist June Overhill, who led a bid to get Wensum Lodge declared as an Asset of Community Value before it was put up for sale, said: "People are upset and angry they have had these courses taken away from them.

"It was clear to everyone, at the very start of this sorry situation that not all adult learning courses could be transferred elsewhere."