A Labour councillor for Grangetown has defended cuts in funding for a play centre in the area. The play centre has been hit by cuts of more than £45,000 since 2013.
But Labour councillor for Grangetown Lynda Thorne says the Council are doing everything they can to protect the centre. “We have had to save over £110 million pounds. The play service is not a statutory service – what we have been trying to do is protect statutory services. Although it is very sad we’ve done well to save the play service even though it is not open five days a week.”
Cllr Thorne who’s also Deputy Chair of the Council’s Planning Committee says it was her aim to protect the play services in Grangetown. “That was my aim – to protect that building and keep it there for the community use, to protect the play services as much as we possibly could.
The centre offers a play area for children and organises trips and events. It is also used as a meeting place for people in the community.
The issue was raised by the Plaid councillor for Fairwater Neil McEvoy who said Cardiff City Council had cut funding for the play centre by 40% since 2013.
The centre is currently closed for refurbishment but Labour Councillor for Grangetown, Lynda Thorne assured local residents it will be re-opened. “The workmen have been in there this week and I have seen them. I have been given a schedule of works and a finish date – which is 24th March.”
There was confusion this morning as Cardiff City Council’s own website said the centre will be permanently closed. The council have since updated their website.
Cardiff City Council have been unavailable for comment on the funding cut for the play centre.
