SNP group wants to save Mossend centre

The Mossend SNP Group is to campaign to save Mossend Senior Citizen's Centre following Culture NL's announcement last week it plans to close the facility in August.
Mossend Senior Citizen's CentreMossend Senior Citizen's Centre
Mossend Senior Citizen's Centre

The group which holds its meetings in the centre met last Wednesday (May 11) for its monthly meeting on the day the Times & Speaker revealed Culture NL’s proposal to shut the building due to budget cuts.

Secretary Marie Keeper said: “Mossend SNP members were deeply disappointed to learn of the proposed closure by Culture NL of the Mossend Senior Citizens Centre in August this year.

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“The Mossend SNP Group resolved to campaign in order to keep this centre open for all in our community.”

The Mossend SNP Group will hold its next meeting in the centre on Wednesday, May 25, at 7pm and encouraged all SNP members to attend.

Among the other facilities being earmarked for closure are the Watson Street OAP Hut in Motherwell and the libraries in Newarthill and Craigneuk.

Culture NL chairwoman Councillor Heather McVey appeared to accept the closures as a fait accompli.

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She said: “We realise that many of these facilities will be much-loved, however the reality is that they are little used.”

Uddingston and Bellshill MSP Richard Lyle believes councillors should not just accept decisions made by arms-length external organisations.

He said: “I predicted this sort of thing would happen when the aleos were set up and council facilties were taken out of the control of council officials and councillors.

“However, that doesn’t mean that the councillors have to accept what Culture NL is proposing as they still have the power to fight to keep facilities in their areas, as once they are gone they’ll be gone for good.

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“Culture NL is currently consulting on the future of services and I would urge everyone in Mossend and Bellshill to take part to send a clear message they want the Senior Citizen’s Centre to be saved.”

The consultation document is available from libraries and online