‘Unfair and unjust’: Charity hits out at council over eviction threat

Worried: Gulnur Salih and her husband Halil outside the TCCA. Photograph: Max Eckersley

A decades-long dispute between a Dalston charity and Hackney Council over the ownership of a property looks set to end in court.

The feud dates back over 30 years, when the Turkish Cypriot Cultural Association (TCCA) was awarded a £60,000 grant to fund the purchase of a building as part of the then Environment Secretary’s urban development programme.

In line with regulations at the time, the money had to go through Hackney Council, who bought 14a Graham Road in Dalston on behalf of the TCCA.

Correspondence between the two sides’ lawyers from the late 1980s, seen by the Citizen, suggests an agreement was in place for the council to then transfer ownership of the property to the charity.

But in 1987, before any transfer had taken place, the Town Hall revised its policy regarding voluntary groups in council premises. It told the TCCA the change meant it would only be offered a lease, rather than the freehold.

The council says it was entitled to do this and has allowed the TCCA to stay in the property ever since.

Diane Abbott joined the charity’s 40th anniversary celebration this year. Photograph: Polly Hancock

The charity, whose volunteers provide services such as music and dance lessons, legal advice and IT courses for Hackney’s Turks and Cypriots, has now been based at 14a Graham Road for 31 years.

But the conflict appears to be nearing a conclusion after the council recently served the TCCA with a notice telling it to end its occupation of the building by Tuesday 1 August if it is not willing to pay rent.

Hackney’s mayor Philip Glanville said that after six years of trying to reach an “amicable” solution, the Town Hall has “no alternative but to pursue possession through court proceedings”.

TCCA co-ordinator Gulnur Salih, who described the past five years spent wading through legal documents as “exhausting”, says the organisation will be forced to close if the council gets its way.

She said: “It is unfair and unjust to act in a manner like this and make a charity organisation suffer by backdating a policy change.

“Backdating should be enforced only to correct mistakes and rectify negative situations. The laws and policies should protect people and communities, not make them worse off.

“We would welcome support from the whole community – including businesses, professionals, lecturers and barristers – to finalise this matter and help us gain back our right.”

The charity celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, with local MP Diane Abbott and Hackney Speaker Soraya Adejare, who is also a Dalston ward councillor, joining TCCA regulars for a birthday bash.

Concerns: Senay Talatzade says the TCCA lets her socialise. Photograph: Gulnur Salih

Şenay Talatzade, who has used the TCCA’s services for 15 years, said losing the charity would leave her “hopeless”.

She told the Citizen: “With the friends I met here, I started enjoying my life and my views have improved towards the difficulties and negativities of life.

“Trips to the seaside or to castles and other places helped us learn about the culture, and they’re a great opportunity to socialise with friends.”

Talatzade said her life would not be the same if the TCCA had not taught her how to use a computer, adding: “The charity also helps us communicate with the council and make appointments with doctors, hospitals and other official places – verbally as well as translating letters.

“Having a place like TCCA gives us an assurance that our cultural values are respected by authorities.

“If this centre closes one day I am sure I would feel so let down, become lonely, unhappy and go into depression. It even makes me upset thinking about it. The idea of losing this support will make me feel weak and hopeless.”

Talatzade’s views were echoed by several long-time TCCA patrons, many of whom are worried that they will be lonely and isolated if the charity shuts down.

Supported: Goksel Tosun fears she will be lonely if the charity closes. Photograph: Gulnur Salih

Göksel Tosun said: “I’ve been coming here for 17 years and have been using different services from Welfare Advice to Luncheon Club. I’ve also been to many celebrations and on trips, as well as attending the computer courses, which have really helped me.

“I am now a pensioner and this is the only place where I come weekly for Tea Club, meet friends and feel supported.”

Albert Windsor, who teaches ballet at the TCCA, said: “I have been coming to the centre in the last 12 years. Our work supports children physically, mentally and academically achieve better.

“If this place is forced to close, it will negatively affect children as they will lose a valuable community centre where they can come together to learn, and families will lose valuable support.”

Mayor Glanville said: “The council has tried to resolve the issue of the TCCA’s basis of occupation at 14a Graham Road in an amicable way.

“The organisation claims that they own the property, but the council is the registered freeholder and the TCCA has not substantiated their claim.

“The council has suggested that the TCCA could apply for a Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) lease and that, if they were eligible for this, they would be able to remain in the property on very favourable lease terms, including a heavily discounted rent, with the council being responsible for most of the maintenance responsibility.

“Regrettably, after trying for six years to find a solution that would keep the TCCA in the property, the council is now left with no alternative but to pursue possession through court proceedings.”

Gulnur, who has helped run the charity since 2009 with her husband Halil, said the TCCA is determined to fight its corner and has already hired lawyers. She claims the council’s bid to evict them from the property is to do with money, adding: “In the last 30 years, the TCCA has tried to function despite the constant fear of losing our premises. Twice the council has tried to sell it at auction, and it has often threatened to send bailiffs round if the charity does not pay rent.

“Nobody should be allowed to make money with a grant handed out by authorities and charities. Why is the council trying to make money by selling or renting the property? Everyone should oppose this.”