Local Councillor, Charlie O’Connor, has called on the Chief Executive of the Council to ensure strong support for Community Centres in our area who are facing challenges with regard to rising insurance costs. He raised the matter at the January meeting of the Council and stressed the concern of many who are contacting him in the matter and who are worried about the future of their Community Centres.
The CEO told Charlie O’Connor that “Community Centres in the County are managed by independent local voluntary management companies and are legal companies in their own right, independent of the Council and established as Companies Limited by Guarantee. The management companies utilise a wide range of funding opportunities and supports on offer from a broad range of sources from the Council and also some central government departments to supplement locally generated funds in order to meet the running costs of the facilities. Boards of Management of Community Centres are also encouraged to take part and apply for funding assistance to help with the delivery of a variety of local community events.” The Council’s Community Services Department is available to advise, assist and support the management companies of all centres in the County as well as recognising the commendable efforts and volunteerism in managing community centres to support delivery of a wide range of community activities and services for local residents.” In his representations to the Council, Charlie O’Connor stressed the importance of Community Centre in the life of communities which they serve and said that local voluntary management groups are being put under enormous pressure because of insurance costs. He said that we must ensure that the future of our Community Centres is not jeopardised and called on the Council to pay particular attention to the challenges faced.
