by Alex Wellman A multi-million pound health centre, brand new sports hall, one stop shop and a promise to fight for more cash are just four of the pledges from the board of a regeneration scheme as it looks to the future. The Times revea

by Alex Wellman

A multi-million pound health centre, brand new sports hall, one stop shop and a promise to fight for more cash are just four of the pledges from the board of a regeneration scheme as it looks to the future.

The Times revealed last week how South Kilburn New Deal for Communities (SKNDC) will get a new board in October comprised of people with expertise and experience in regeneration.

The old board had their final meeting on July 7 but will remain in place in an advisory position until new members are chosen.

The Times understands that the challenges that will face the new board will be delivering an all-in-one community centre, much like the one about to open in Chalkhill in Wembley, and are currently in negotiations with Augustine's School in Oxford Road, Kilburn, to build a new sports hall.

Mike Wilson, SKNDC chief executive, said: "Currently there are about three surgeries in the area which are really not good enough. GPS are delivering out of inadequate premises.

"We now have a site where we can progress a new health centre down in South Kilburn.

"The new centre would provide space for about 10 GPS as well as allowing health workers to come in and let people know about healthy living.

"We would also want there to be community space so people could use it for meetings or get togethers and it could also provide a one stop shop."

If all goes as planned the board are confident that the builders could be on the site by 2009 with the centre complete by 2010.

Mr Wilson also said the NDC are currently in negotiations with St Augustine's over whether or not there could be a joint sports hall and the board are hopeful an agreement could be reached by October.

Brent Council chiefs have assured the Times that there will still be room for residents on the new board, which will oversee the final two years of the £50 million regeneration.

The new arrangements for delivering the NDC program have yet to be finalised but are likely to involve establishing a Neighbourhood Partnership Board that will include residents and representatives of the main agencies delivering services to the area.

Responding to the Times article last week which suggested the current board had been kicked out, Jackie Sadek, independent chairwoman of SKNDC, defended her team.

Jackie Sadek said: "I would just like to say that far from being 'booted out' on the grounds of failure, the NDC Board has been actively working toward becoming fit for purpose for real delivery in this next, crucial stage of our partnership project.

"The maturity, commitment and positive approach to the task of the entire Board impressed me greatly; I have worked with residents groups over many years and this group of of residents were as good as any I have worked with. Better, in fact.

"I am deeply and unreservedly proud of them. If they had been 'booted out' as incompetent would they have been asked to manage their own demise and develop an alternative delivery arrangement? I think not."

Cllr Paul Lorber, council leader, said: "There are four places for residents on the new board and we want a board where everyone has some expertise that they can contribute.

"At the end of the day there are many thousands of people who want to be representatives but we want people who can do things in the community and can convey what people want.

"We are trying to get extra money from a variety of different sources. We want representation from police, health, housing associations and business.

"As these are partners who can help with a comprehensive regeneration of the area - new homes, new health facilities, new leisure and sports facilities and more lasting work. We are talking about millions that we are trying to get extra.

"There are other pots of money that we can bid for and we intend to do that."

Cecilia John-Charles, resident vice chairwoman, said: "It's not just about the last three years of the NDC but the future.

"All the resident board members have embraced this change and as usual are ever hopeful and looking forward to how we can achieve a better South Kilburn for all residents."

Cllr Anthony Dunn, for Kilburn, said: "I think the issue here is making sure the people with the right skills are on the board.

"If it is considered that a ward councillor can make a positive contribution then I will be very happy to serve on the board.

"We have two-and-a-half years to try and deliver something and one of the principal jobs we have to do is set up what is and is not deliverable in that time frame.

"We have to be very, very honest with people and local people have to be realistic with what they expect."

alex.wellman@archant.co.uk