VILLAGE HALLS

Early day motion 1879, tabled 6 November 2003 by Hilton Dawson (Labour). Signed by 14 members.

That this House recognises the vital importance of village halls to the local service, well-being and necessary regeneration of rural communities; understands that funding for new or replacement halls must come for a vibrant partnership of each local community and district, county, regional and national bodies; welcomes the superb work undertaken by the Lancashire Association of Village and Community Halls to collate information on progress as well as need across their county; deeply regrets that reduced support from the community fund and a confusing and incoherent grant system threatens their worthy aspiration for ú7.25 million of capital funding in rural Lancashire over the next 10 years; and calls for a new approach to planning and developing local priorities which would balance local effect with a transparent and reliable system of capital grant and revenue support.

Signatures by party: Labour 9, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.