Organisations providing support to some of the most hard-up communities in South Devon have received a boost.
Groups such as the Buckland Community Centre in Newton Abbot will be able to apply to Teignbridge Council for rent subsidies to help them keep going.
“The people of Buckland live in the bottom four per cent for deprivation,” said ward councillor Mike Ryan (SD Alliance). “I should hate to see the place close down. They need all the support they can get.”
Groups including the community centre, Dawlish Scouts and Shaldon Water Carnival can now apply for subsidies for the coming year. All three rent council property.
Cllr Richard Keeling (Lib Dem, Chudleigh) told a meeting of the Teignbridge full council that community-based assets should not be treated the same as other commercial assets, and Cllr Janet Bradford (SD Alliance, College) said she had seen first-hand the work local charities desperate to make use of the subsidy.
“The services they supply are wonderful,” she said, referring to the Buckland Community Centre, Newton Abbot’s Wellbeing in Action and the Citizens Advice service.
“I am humbled when I see them in action. The work they do helps the most vulnerable people. We must help them as much as we can.
“Don’t forget how much it would cost this council to provide the same services.”
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