Community Centres safe from cuts - for how long?

9.41.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Jul 2005

Cllr. Alan Taylor - keeping a keen eye on our Community Centres.

Leader of the Opposition on Rochdale Council has welcomed the Council's dramatic last minute u-turn on cutting Community Centre Budgets. Cllr. Taylor attended the meeting of the Council's Cabinet as an observer and was satisfied that the Labour - Conservative led Council have climbed down after originally proposing a £100,000 cut in grants from the Learners & Young People's Service.

Cllr. Taylor said, "Although I welcome this decision, I believe it is a sticking plaster for this financial year. The Council have only made a short-term decision - the £100,000 cut has only been deferred until next year. In the mean time 16 Community Centres still face uncertainty about the services they offer. Rochdale Borough Council should show commitment to the fantastic work that our Community Centres do. They do a brilliant job and provide vital services that save this Council a fortune - to leave this cut hanging over their heads is a travesty to the hundreds of volunteers and Centre users that make them so vital."