Witney News - Funding supports community work in West Oxfordshire

Funding supports community work in West Oxfordshire

Community groups are a step closer to having a base in West Oxfordshire after funding of £50,000 towards a new centre was agreed by the District Council.

The High Street Methodist Church is planning to develop a centre that can be used for a wide range of community activity. They have identified an unused site, on the high street in Witney, which will accommodate community groups, meetings and social events as well as offering free parking.

The money will go towards refurbishing the existing. A new outdoor area will be also be designed and a family room to allow them to increase and respond to the needs of this particular group. It will be operated, maintained and supported by church members - who are all volunteers.

Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “This is a great initiative that will provide facilities for the whole community to use whatever their religious beliefs.

“With 27 per cent of the local population aged between 0-19 we want to ensure that there are also facilities available to them that allow them to flourish. We hope that this will become a focal point for groups in the District to come together.”

Reverend Richard Donoghue, from the church, said: “The funding would allow us to move very quickly into the first phase of the project. I would be delighted as it also gives us a vote of confidence from the District Council that they are supporting the work we do in the community. Our aim is to provide facilities that will support a wide range of community activities, regardless of faith, that is central and easy to access.”

The grant decision was made by the Council’s Cabinet on Wednesday 23 May and is subject to the usual call in period.