Funding for £4m health centre plan is finalised

FINAL funding has been secured giving the green light to a £4 million health and children's centre in Pelsall.

The centre, which will be built in High Street and opened in 2011, is a joint venture between Walsall Council and NHS Walsall.

It will also incorporate the Pelsall library, to bring all three facilities under one roof.

"Walsall Council and NHS Walsall have listened to what residents want and this combined centre will make a real difference to their lives and their future," said Walsall Council Cabinet member for communities and partnerships Councillor Garry Perry.

NHS Walsall published a Health Needs Assessment for the area in 2008 which identified the need to deliver improved health facilities.

Cllr Perry added: "Children's centres play a vital role within communities as they offer such a range of services and support. I'm delighted that this important development is moving forward."

He also added the new library would provide a boost for the Pelsall area, he explained: "We know from past experience that enhanced library facilities result in an increase in the number of people using them so this development is going to have such a positive impact on Pelsall."

Walsall Council has funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families which has earmarked around £600,000 for the children's centre aspect of the development.

The library element has £350,000 of capital funding and earlier this week the Strategic Health Authority confirmed £1.5m funding for 2009/10 for the health centre with a further £1.5m expected for 2010/11.

The centre will be built on the site of the existing GP's surgery and library in Pelsall High Street and will have shared areas – similar to the Park View Centre in Brownhills and Blakenall Village Centre.

Denise McLellan, chief executive of NHS Walsall, said: "It is a great step forward to improving the health needs of the people of Walsall.

"We are already in talks with many Pelsall residents and want to continue to work with them and the other residents of Pelsall to get their ideas about what they want from the new building not just in terms of the services but also the design."