Chard YPC looks to improve funding (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Chard YPC looks to improve funding

5:53pm Tuesday 28th August 2007 in Chard By Steve Sowden

THE management committee of the Chard Young People's Centre is looking at ways of boosting its funding.

The centre's annual meeting took place earlier this month and it was revealed that the committee is working with other user groups to try and increase its revenue.

The Deputy Mayor of Chard, Cllr Cathie Morrison, was re-elected as chairman and said that the building is now being used by all age groups from new born babies to the older generation.' "In the last 12 months there has been a great interest from people in using the building," she said. "We now have several organisations including a Portuguese group running a youth session for their young people and there is also an African workshop."

Cllr Morrison added: "The management committee now has a couple of new members and it was reported at the meeting that we were in the red' for the past year, but only just.

"The committee is now working with other user groups to find funding. The cost to run the building for a year is in the region of £30,000."

South Somerset District Council has supported the centre with a grant for £4,700 which has been used to revamp the lounge.

"We were able to repaint the lounge and get new furniture," she said. "This room now looks very fresh and clean and we are now going to look for funding to do the rest of the building."

A new youth worker is settling in at the centre and the youth club reopened last Thursday following a summer break, while the management committee is looking for a treasurer.

Cllr Morrison said: "I would like to say a big thank you to our previous treasurer, who resigned at the annual meeting because she has moved, for all her hard work and for putting up with me asking questions."

If anyone would be interested in the vacant treasurer's role then please contact Cllr Morrison.