Still no decision on kids' club grant

A GRANT for Pevensey Activity Group which provides a range of events for around 60 children in the village is yet to be agreed by the parish council.
Club organisers Shaun and Heidi Putland approached the council for funds at the beginning of May as they said the youth club was in danger of closing if it did not receive financial assistance.

The Putland couple started the group in 2003 and, with the help of other parents, have arranged canoeing trips, Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties, cycle rides, football matches, dry slope skiing and many more activities.

The council said it would like to support the club and agreed to pay for the hire of Ethel Wood Hall for two months.

Councillors explained they had some concerns and asked for confirmation of CRB checks, insurance and accounts before considering a grant.

All documents were in order and presented to the parish clerk ready for discussion at a meeting on Tuesday (June 3).

However, councillors on Tuesday's finance and general purposes committee said they were still unable to make a decision and referred the matter to July's full council meeting.

Cllr Christine Pollard said, "I don't feel I know enough at the moment and I would like to take a copy of the paperwork, including the programme of events, and read through the literature.

"We can then discuss the matter at the next month's meeting."

Cllr Lin McKeever agreed and said, "If they did activities which were on the beach and in the recreational grounds the cost would not be so high.

"We have heard they go to the ski slopes which is very expensive.

"I feel I still need to know more before I can decide if and how much we can help."

Speaking after the meeting, Shaun Putland said, "July is another month down the line and I just feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall and the council doesn't care.

"There is nowhere in the village for kids to go and they don't want to sit in a village hall and tie knots, they are bored of that and they want something else.

"I started this club with my money and I will have to keep it going with my money."

As the work to replenish the shingle is carried out 24 hours a day, night working does need to take place.

Editors Note: The is from a Parish Council, who refuse to make their meeting minutes available (in the Library there are some sparse notes), who will paid someone (I think 3 times now) to run their website, and who does not want to even link to this site.

Updated: Sunday, June 8, 2008 20:29