IWCA secures council agreement to stop Leys community groups losing out after grants fiasco
After a number of important Blackbird Leys community groups lost out in the allocation of council grants this year, the IWCA has managed to persuade Oxford City Council to prioritise organisations in hard-pressed working class areas when considering future applications.
Among the bodies whose grant applications were refused were the Dovecote Centre and Leys Linx, which provide vital, pre/after-school facilities and adult education for hard pressed families and individuals with nowhere else to turn.
Cllr Stuart Craft said, ‘Community groups based in areas of social deprivation were refused funding and as a result are facing an uncertain future while ”cultural” organisations such as theatre and art groups that mainly benefit the city’s more affluent residents did receive money from the council.
‘This shouldn’t happen again. The IWCA has made it absolutely clear to the council that priority has to be given to groups that work to alleviate poverty and educational disadvantage in working class areas.’
Unfortunately the IWCA council motion won’t affect grants made this year. However, Councillor Lee Cole is now investigating ways in which the Blackbird Leys Parish Council may be able to provide financial assistance to Leys-based organisations.
Leys Independent, issue 36, June 2007
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