Cllr Keith Hyman

Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the news that New Earswick Bowls Club is to be classed as an ‘asset of community value’.

The decision was confirmed today by City of York Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance & Performance. New Earswick & District Indoor Bowls Club currently leases its venue on Huntington Road from the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT). Listing the building as an ‘asset of community value’ means that if JRHT put the site up for sale the club or local community would have a ‘right to bid’ and be given 6 months to put together a proposal to buy it.

Cllr Keith Hyman, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Huntington and New Earswick who wrote in support of the application along with fellow ward councillors Keith Orrell and Carol Runciman, commented:

“New Earswick Bowls Club has many hundreds of members from throughout the city. It provides much needed sporting facilities and a social gathering place for many people.

“The excellent facilities, which the club are always striving to improve through their own fundraising activities, provide an opportunity to residents of York, especially those who are less likely, or unable, to take part in sporting activity outside and to interact with other people in a friendly atmosphere.

“Over the last 10 years they have promoted inclusion of all members of the community by collaborating with the council and groups such as Age Concern and the Alzheimer’s Society to organise various one-off and regular events.

“The club provides a safe and secure setting for those with disabilities allowing them to take part in sports covered by the umbrella of Special Olympics and has allowed our athletes to compete at national and international level. Without these facilities and the cooperation of the club then it is likely that this specialist area would be lost.

“It is a true community asset and I am pleased that this has been recognised today. I would like to congratulate all those who have worked hard on the bid and all those who do so much to make the club a success.”

Information:

‘Assets of community value’ were introduced by the Coalition Government under the 2011 Localism Act to give communities an increased chance to save much loved shops, pubs or other local facilities.

More information about today’s decision can be found here: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=750&MId=8595