Page 28 - link magazine

28 The Link Magazine • July 1999
PAUL DRAPER GOGGLEBOX Link Centre price rises justified

by Councillor Derique Montaut,
uPVC Fascia, Chair, Community & Leisure Services Committee
Guttering TV & VIDEO Over the last two months I have In October of this year they are

& Cladding REPAIR read with concern, the distress opening a new fitness centre in the
old Arts Studio now that arts serv-
caused to some groups by the price
CLADDING FASCIAS increases in the Link Centre Com- ices are focused in the Arts Centre,
SERVICE
munity Suite. Devizes Road. This will have a
Can I thank The Link for allow- positive effect upon Link Centre's
No call out charge ing me to respond to those con- income which we hope will enable
GUTTERING cerns, and hopefully express the lower prices to be maintained for
Free Home Estimates council's continued commitment services in the future, if priorities
FREE ESTIMATES * All repairs guaranteed to the West Swindon community. remain as they are today.
Before putting pen to paper I There has been a suggestion in
Tel: (01793) 825965
Tel: (0 1793) 731019 reflected upon how we came to previous Link articles that the coun-
3 Overton Gardens, Stratton St Margaret, Swindon this position. I remembered last cil's commitment to facilities in
summer's public consultation West Swindon was weakening.
process over council spending. This is not the case. But when
ATIp Indeed one meeting was held at money is limited - Swindon has
Hillside Building Services the Link Centre. The Swindon the second lowest council tax of
3
r a J public told us that their priorities any unitary authority in the UK -
s Extensions, loft conversion, 4y.^^•s'
for spending were education and the debate for us all is to prioritise
specialists in all types of building & plastering services to the elderly and that which community services in West
All work full insured while the town's recreation cen- Swindon get the largest cut of the
tres were well regarded, spending cake.
Contact Dave on 01793 488470 in that area should remain flat. (The views expressed are personal and may
During the winter months these not reflect thoseofSwindon Borough Coun-
priorities were tussled with and as cil, unless explicitly stated otherwise.)
GA V.- a result sports and community fa-
K cilities were asked to increase their
Car s and Pai g charges by 10%, thus reducing the Playworkers certified
4: airs ng council subsidy needed to run Fifteen local playworkers have
them. been awarded certificates follow-
es While the new prices were be- ing a Swindon Council run train-
Unit 12 Brindley Q flrManoror Industrial Estate Swindon ing worked out, I was made aware ing course called Take 10 for Play.
01793 421 1 0860 808061 that the review had highlighted an
unfairness across the town. Com-
munity groups using similar fa-
cilities were being charged less in
West Swindon than in the north
CHINESE MEAL_] and east and it was recommended
that this anomaly should be ad-
dressed.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Prices in the Link Centre Commu-
nity Suite were increased to reflect
Take Away and Home Delivery charges elsewhere, and for those
AUTHENTIC PEKING, SZECHUAN, CANTONESE, groups hit hard we have attempted Coun Derique Mountaut with some
VEGETARIAN AND ORIENTAL CUISINE to phase in the increase, although of the play workers who took the Take
I recognise that a number of groups 10 course, from left Allyson Cardis,
had to stop using the service. Project Worker at West Swindon Fam-
On reflection it would seem that ily Project, Mary Poole from Tooth ill
those groups most affected are Junior Club, Caroline Wall, ESA at
those in most need of council sup- Salt Way School
port. The provision of a blanket Aimed at those working with
'community rate' is perhaps not over 5s, particularly in after school
appropriate now that funds are clubs and holiday playschemes, the
tight and subsidies need to be more course offered an opportunity to
finely targeted. The challenge for learn more about running success-
the council is to clearly determine ful practical playschemes, includ-
the criteria for further council sup- ing organising activities, and child
port, and then to confirm with safety and protection.
groups if they can claim such help. Participants had to collect a port-
I have asked officers to put to- folio of their work. They were also
gether options for councillors to observed and assessed running a
Telephone 01793 849388 consider, and to recommend how play session they had planned.
"It was an impressive course,"
these may apply to community
116 High Street, Wootton Bassett groups. I would hope to have these said Allyson Cardis, Project
new arrangements in place for next Worker at West Swindon Family
Open 6 days a week: 5.00pm - 11.30pm
year. & Community Project, who took
Closed on Mondays • Open Bank Holiday Mondays To conclude can I defend the part. "I felt it was important to
Link Centre team who are obvi- have a play qualification to back
ously responding to political deci- up the work we do with children
sions and I know have attempted in the project. The course was very
to balance everyone's needs. well put together."