Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Community & Environment, heard from petitioners regarding two petitions against the proposed closure of the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC). The petitioners raised concerns about the lack of public consultation, the impact on vulnerable adults, and the potential loss of a valuable community resource. The Cabinet Member listened to the views presented, and the information will be made available at the Cabinet meeting on 26 June 2025.

Rural Activities Garden Centre Petitions

Two petitions were submitted to Hillingdon Council regarding the proposed closure of the Rural Activities Garden Centre on West Drayton Road, Uxbridge. The first petition, hosted on Change.org, had over 5,001 signatures, while the second, hosted on the council's website, had over 387 signatures.

Both petitions expressed concerns about the impact of the closure on vulnerable adults with autism and/or learning disabilities who attend the centre. Petitioners emphasised the centre's role in providing social support, confidence-building activities, and employment pathway opportunities.

Dominic Craddock, a lead petitioner, stated that there was no public consultation prior to the closure announcement, which he argued meant that the council has not fulfilled its statutory and legal obligations. He also said that the council's description of the Civic Centre campus as offering a rich and varied learning and development was misleading in comparison to the RAGC's environment. Mr Craddock requested an 18-month grace period for the centre to create a social enterprise business plan and called for an independent public consultation with an equalities impact assessment¹ and a feasibility assessment. John Scribbins, another lead petitioner, highlighted the RAGC's positive impact on users with learning disabilities and mental health issues, stating that his son, Oliver, gets a great deal of satisfaction from his work there, but of equal importance is the social contact with other volunteers, staff and the wider community that the centre provides. He also noted the centre's long history of support from senior members of the council and its recognition as a hidden gem on the council's website. Mr Scribbins questioned the council's claim that it wants to create a wider and more meaningful range of activities than the centre currently provides, arguing that the work done by volunteers is meaningful to them, their families, and the community. He called for the withdrawal of the closure plan and a proper public consultation.

The report provided to the Cabinet Member for the hearing stated that the petitions met the requirements to be formally considered by the council, as they both had over 100 signatures from borough residents. The report also noted that the Cabinet meeting on 26 June 2025, was scheduled to consider the matter and would receive a full report setting out all relevant information.