KENT NEWS:
Thanet council has submitted a bid for match-funding to improve Ellington Park… and not before time, say campaigners.
Ramsgate county councillor Elizabeth Green says the district council has been sitting on money that should have been spent on the park years ago.
She believes that £50,000 of leftover cash from KCC’s Second Homes funding scheme, granted to Thanet council in 2005/2006, could have been spent on improvements to the park already.
The Ramsgate park, just a few minutes’ walk from the train station, is getting a reputation as a drinking hot-spot at night and there have been reports of antisocial behaviour.
Cllr Green said: “I am appalled that Thanet council has been taking funding and not spending it as intended.
“It came to light last year that out of £224,000 given to Thanet council in 2005/06, £140,000 was not spent and a number of Ramsgate projects are among those missing out.
“I have continually pursued this, and the threat of withdrawal of funding from KCC is ensuring they are now taking action.
“Much of this Second Homes funding has simply remained unspent, including the much-needed £50,000 for Ellington Park.
“This funding will really enhance the area and I am determined to ensure Ramsgate gets the money it is owed.”
Some people now regard the park as a no-go area due to its reputation for groups gathering to drink.
Thanet council has now stated that it will use the Second Homes funding money to try to get match-funding from the Department for Children, Families and Schools Pathfinder scheme, increasing funds available for Ellington Park improvements.
A council spokesman said: “The project is to improve the play facilities at Ellington Park, which will both improve disabled access and make the play area more accessible to a wider age range.
“The Pathfinder funding is for 2010/11 and an initial submission has been made. Completed projects would not have been accepted as match-funding and therefore the project was delayed.
“A funding bid for Pathfinder play funding in 2010/11 has also been submitted to add a second phase of further play improvements to Ellington Park to complement the above.
“This will, of course, be subject to success in the bid.”
POSTED: 10/03/2010 15:15:00
Bookmark with:
Email to a friend: