LAST month the Gazette announced Harefield would be getting a new youth centre after more than 10 years of asking for improved youth services.
Today, councillor Henry Higgins (Con) has hit back at suggestions that Harefield's youth is only being taken seriously now it is election time.
In a letter published in today's Gazette, a resident (name and address supplied) said: "Why has it taken so long?
"How long has the administration been in power?
"How long have you had an opportunity to get things done for the youth while being a councillor in Harefield?
"Why is it that all other areas have purpose built facilities but not Harefield?
"I think I can answer that last question; Harefield has been left out of funding and the case for our youth has not been taken seriously by the administration until very recently.
"Any why's that? It will soon be local election time."
But Mr Higgins insists the delay was simply a case of waiting for the funds to become available.
“There’s nothing sinister about it,” he said.
“We should be rejoicing - it’s a great thing for the village.
“We’ve been developing youth centre across the borough and these things take their time.
“A lot of investment has gone into Harefield, with the Children’s Centre, library, high street and school.
“We just had to wait our turn for the youth centre.”
He confirmed three new centres across the borough had been agreed.
“It just happens I shouted the loudest to get one in Harefield,” he said.
St Mary’s Church Hall, in High Street, has been earmarked as a temporary venue, and the group is likely to start meet there until in the interim until the new base is built.
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