Councillors Reveal Dissatisfaction with Current Community Provisions

3.36.36pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Nov 2007

A staggering 84% of residents are unhappy with the level of community facilities currently provided in Foxhill, these are the results of a survey recently conducted by Combe Down ward Councillors Cherry Beath and Roger Symonds. The results showed top of the list for needs being provision for Youth and Children. After-school clubs were high up the list, as were provision for Senior Groups and Sports and Leisure facilities.

Of those responding to the Survey, 65% were in favour of a linked or joint development of Community Facilities on both the Church owned site on Hawthorn Grove, and the adjacent B&NES site, with the current temporary Community pre-fab building.

Cllr Cherry Beath said, "In 2002 I worked together with the Social Policy Unit of Bath University in the production of a ground breaking profile Report on Foxhill. The report placed Foxhill amongst the most disadvantaged areas of Bath. The report called for urgent attention to the need for provision for young people. Why then has Foxhill been left out of funding opportunities to gain much needed Community provision and building as compared to other areas of Bath who have provision?

"We welcome the Local Church's initiative to rebuild a Community Church on its land, following the fire and demolition of the previous St Andrews Centre some two and half years ago, but the Church cannot be responsible for all the Community provision. Reverend Langham has told us that the Church would be happy for the sum of money raised for their building to be used for match funding purposes for any further development. We have an ideal opportunity now to look to develop the B&NES Site and bring to the residents of Foxhill what they are asking for, which is no more than most equivalent areas have as standard."

Cllr Roger Symonds said, "Foxhill has been left behind for investment in normal community facilities. Although the Community Centre management does a fine job in providing activities our survey has shown that people want more facilities in Foxhill. The present Community Centre a 'temporary' building erected 20 years ago has served the community well, but the time has now come to campaign for a new building on the site. Our survey has shown that residents would like some links between a new St Andrews and a new complementary building on the community Centre site. The local church is doing its bit for the community, now it's up to the Council to also support the community of Foxhill."

Reverend Paul Langham, Vicar of Holy Trinity Combe Down, said, "As vicar of Combe Down, I am delighted to be able to make public our plans to provide much-needed community facilities for both ends of our village. Our 'Rainbow Project' seeks both to refurbish the Church Rooms in the Avenue, and to build a new Community Church Centre on Hawthorn Grove. The architects' plans for both sites were unveiled to the church family earlier this month, and have received a warm welcome from our local councillors, for which we are most grateful. We will shortly be asking the church family to begin the enormous task of raising the £2.7 million needed to complete this Project, and I look forward to being able to bring you more news in due course. The plans can be viewed in the Church Office in the Avenue, and copies of our brochure should be available through local shops and other sources over the coming weeks."

City MP Don Foster has also visited the site with Roger and Cherry and is supporting their push for improved community facilities. For further information contact Roger at mail@rogersymonds.org.uk or Cherry at cherry.art@virgin.net.