Public hall takeover still not a done deal
A not-for-profit consortium bidding to run Isleworth Public Hall says it is still awaiting crucial information from Hounslow Council
Robert Cumber
An event at Isleworth Public Hall
A group bidding to run a popular public hall say they are still awaiting crucial information from Hounslow Council, despite an election leaflet suggesting it is a done deal.
The council agreed in principle earlier this year to hand over management of Isleworth Public Hall to a consortium of not-for-profit groups.
The plan was to hand them a five-year lease beginning in April this year, which the council estimated would save £425,000 over the course of the contract.
An 'Isleworth Matters' leaflet recently published by the ruling Labour group proclaimed the consortium had won a contract.
But members of the consortium say no deal has been signed and they are still awaiting information from the council, including details of running costs, which they claim they need before putting together a final bid.
Christine Diwell, of the Friends of Isleworth Public Hall, one of four groups in the consortium, said: "We haven't won any contract and according to the council the procurement process is still ongoing.
"We're setting up a social enterprise which could run the hall we've asked the council for a lot of information which it has so far been unable to provide."
The hall, in South Street, Isleworth, is currently run by the council's leisure contractor Fusion Lifestyle.
Should the consortium win the contract, it could pave the way for similar voluntary groups to take control of other public halls across the borough.
A council spokesman said: "The council has been working very closely with the Isleworth Public Hall Consortium to help them through the whole process. We are hoping to enable them to finalise their application very shortly."
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