A team providing free mental health services to a County Durham community have spoken of their shock and outrage after being evicted from their premises.
One Step at a Time in Jubilee Park, Spennymoor have been ordered to leave their premises by Spennymoor Town Council.
Last night, the director of the group Emma Troup said the eviction had come "out of the blue" as she said she would be appealing against the decision.
However, the town council have responded and cited health and safety concerns that had led to their decision.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Emma Troup, who is a town councillor herself, said she had rejected the reasons given by the council.
Explaining she would be making a formal complaint about the matter, Cllr Troup claimed the eviction had stemmed from a previous disagreement.
She said: "We have been at the premises for 18 months and the council has always supported us."
However, there has reportedly been a number of recent disagreements including on one occasion how Cllr Troup accesses the site via the park.
She said: "We have a fridge and run food to the community and I drive my car into the park to drop off food. It's never been a problem."
On another occasion, two balls had landed on the bowling green and words had been exchanged, she added.
Cllr Troup said: "The first I learned the problem is when I got papers for a meeting discuss whether One Step at a Time should be evicted on health and safety grounds.
"I was absolutely flabbergasted."
She said: "I am outraged that such a vital service that we are providing should be evicted over small incidents that have been blown out of proportion."
In response, the town council defended its decision and said: "The council was approached 18 months ago by two directors of Step to the Occasion (now One Step and a Time), who wished to set up a pilot project in a building in Jubilee Park.
"As a not-for-profit community interest company offering free mental health services to residents, the council approved the trial, with no fees for rent or utilities.
"The council also funded repairs, maintenance and inspections of the building, registering it so it could receive mail. Step to the Occasion was also awarded grants to undertake activities for the benefit of the community.
The spokesperson added: "Recently, several concerns surrounding health and safety protocols required the council to seek legal advice in relation to the tenure of the organisation in the building, as part of the council’s civil and criminal responsibilities outlined in a variety of legislation.
"A report recorded several breaches to health and safety protocols, including blocked fire exits, activities unbefitting for the use of council property and actions that risked the safety of Spennymoor Town Council staff members.
"As such, the report was presented to councillors on Tuesday 28th June, and, with deep regret, the Council decided to instigate the eviction process.
"As discussions on this matter involved Council employees, discussions were held in private, as per national guidance and Council policy."
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