COUNCILLORS are calling on Otley residents to support a fight to save their local community centre.

Leeds City Council is considering closing the facility at Weston Lane due to its under-use and £6,000 per year running costs.

The authority presented that option, along with two others – to use the building for a private, pre-school service or keep subsidising it – at a drop-in consultation two weeks ago.

Only about 25 people turned out to give their opinion, but Otley Town Councillor Peter Jackson (Lib Dem, Ashfield) believes the event should have been better publicised.

He said: "Many residents of Ashfield ward, which includes a large population of elderly residents, were unaware of such a consultation.

"And many only found out on July 15, via social media sites, that a drop-in event was taking place the following day.

"Leeds has to take some responsibility for the decline in usage and maintenance of the community centre.

"They failed to advertise enough to make people aware of it and its availability to community groups, and they failed to properly maintain it.

"They now say it is not a centre of community importance and are looking at other options, including selling it for development or private use.

"I am urging all local community groups to contact me or city councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) with proposals for use, which we can present to Leeds.

"I have also requested the city council disclose the revenue they expect from the centre for it to be viable and part of the community."

Coun Lay added: "Historically, the council has neither kept up with maintenance of the centre nor promoted its use, so it’s no surprise it is now underused.

"This is an opportunity for the community to offer up ideas for better use of the place."

Contact Peter Jackson via e-mail at peter.jackson@otleytowncouncil.gov.uk or call 07979 438284.