Muslim society buy made official

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 1st May 2009

A community centre in Harehills was officially handed over to the Muslim Cultural Society this week thanks to a successful fundraising drive by local residents.

The Pakistani centre, Conway Road, Harehills was previously owned and funded by Leeds City Council. Government guidance which supports the transfer of council assets to voluntary and community groups resulted in the sale of the centre. The transfer was judged to be for the benefit of local people and the community, this is the first sale of its kind in Leeds.

Councillor Alan Taylor (Lib Dem, Gipton and Harehills) said:

"I am delighted that the centre is now in the hands of the community. My ward has a strong and thriving Pakistani community who have been heavily involved with the centre from the beginning.

"Everyone has worked so hard to get the money together and I am impressed with their plans to further develop the centre which will benefit everyone in Harehills.

"I look forward to seeing the centre evolve, as well as continue to deliver it's existing community services such the award winning Harehills Youth in Partnership scheme."