A PLAYGROUP told to quit premises at a Co Donegal community centre is refusing to leave – and plans legal action to stay put!
The Children’s Point Childcare Centre is based at the community centre in Quigley’s Point.
In a statement issued to donegaldaily.com, the playgroup chairperson Nancy McCauley said the group was ignoring the notice to quit after taking legal advice.
It’s understood the committee which runs the community centre had invited a new organisation to provide childcare facilities.
The playgroup responded by changing the locks and staging a sit-in on the premises for the past THREE DAYS!
Said the statement: “Due to the actions of QPCC and in order to secure the future of our facility and the jobs of our staff, on legal advice we are continuing with our tenancy at Quigley’s Point Community Centre using only the rooms designated for the childcare service.
“There is absolutely no reason that the action we have taken will cause the Community Centre to close or curtail any of the activities currently taking place there. Our tenancy will continue, as it has always done, without any interruption to the activities of QPCC, outside our rooms.
“We have conducted our affairs through the proper legal channels, and all the facts will be given in open court.
The statement went on: “In the interest of clarity it is important that the issues are clarified and, clearly and accurately, set out:
- Registered letters were sent to QPCC, and their solicitor, clearly setting out our intention to continue our tenancy and to seek relief for an invalid termination of our lease.
- CPCC is an independent limited liability company with charitable status. Our financial affairs are all in order and audited. We do not owe any monies to QPCC. We have a current tax clearance certificate. We employ three members of staff.
- In April 2011 an invalid Notice to Quit was served on CPCC and QPCC made it clear that they were going to open a “new” childcare facility. This was confirmed in the Parish Newsletter at the beginning of May. No consideration was given to, or going to be given to, the staff employed by CPCC.
- On 5th May 2011 a public meeting was held on the matter. QPCC have not honoured a commitment given at that meeting to revert to CPCC and to reconsider the Notice to Quit.
- While still maintaining our legal entitlement to a new lease in the community centre, CPCC tried to secure alternative premises. QPCC have objected to this process in the most vigorous manner. (See Donegal County Council Planning Enquiries website – Planning Ref: 11/70272).
- On Friday 2nd September, we entered the premises to set up our rooms for the new term. We were refused keys to the rooms or to the main entrance, hence the need to change the locks. A copy of the keys to the new locks would have been given to QPCC.
- On Saturday 3 September 2011, we agreed to nominate a mediator to discuss the current impasse and explore a mutually acceptable resolution. This was without prejudice to the legal position of both parties. This suggestion, made by independent well-intentioned members of the community, was rejected by QPCC.
- We have always been mindful of the welfare of all the children in the community and the community at large, but we were faced with no alternative but to take the action that we have now taken.
No-one from the community centre was available for comment.
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