A SECOND look is to be taken at Ealing Council's plan to close the Albert Dane Day Centre in Southall.
Following a fiery debate at Tuesday night's council meeting, it emerged that Ealing's overview and scrutiny committee will examine the proposal next week.
Opposition Conservatives called in the decision over fears that not all of the centre's users had been properly assessed before the site is shut down for good.
But Labour councillors accused Tories of using the issue as a means of point-scoring.
Council leader Julian Bell said: "The Labour administration recognises that this is a sensitive issue. At all times we have tried to engage with the users at the Albert Dane centre appropriately, by listening to their concerns and presenting our arguments as clearly as possible.
"I was disappointed that the opposition parties on the council have used this issue as an opportunity to score political points, rather than engaging constructively with the proposals."
Gregory Stafford, shadow member for health and adult services at Ealing, said: "It's really rich for Julian Bell to say that this is point-scoring. It seems procedures haven't been properly followed and we think the decision to call this in is the right one. The previous administration spent four years keeping the centre open and we believe it should still be open."
Also speaking on Tuesday night was Val Garrard, chair of the Albert Dane Users Committee, who handed over a petition with 1,600 signatures opposing the closure.
She said: "All we want is a centre that we can use. We're not asking for the moon. Many people depend on this centre and would be devastated if it closes."
Mrs Garrard added that the committee intends to continue fighting the proposed closure.
The centre, in Western Road, provides services and activities for people aged 18 to 64 who suffer from a disability or physical impairment.
