Club 365 is set to return
The council has been forced into a climbdown over its flagship Club 365 programme.
Last month, the local authority revealed it had opted to move the scheme, which gives school children meals throughout the holidays, from the Glencassels Development Project in Craigneuk to Wishaw Sports Centre. The move out of North Lanarkshire’s most deprived areas was slammed by Craigneuk community groups.
And following one week at the sports centre, NLC have opted to move the programme back to the area – this time at Berryhill Primary School. The Wishaw Press understands that the number of kids attending at the sports centre last week was significantly lower than those who came to the Craigneuk site this time last year.
SNP councillor Agnes Magowan blasted the decision to remove the scheme from Craigneuk in the first place, which included kids enjoying the nearby pump track at Wishawhill Wood.
She said: “I am very supportive of the Club 365 scheme. This has been working very effectively in Craigneuk in partnership with Dan Scott and Socialtrack and Glencassels Community Project.
“There were regularly 15 to 25 youngsters in attendance enjoying activity, socialising, competing, working in a team while enjoying healthy food.
“Unfortunately the pump track was not chosen for Club 365 this summer.
“This is not suitable for the children from Craigneuk as they would need to cross a very busy road to get there.
“I hope the youngsters who want to cycle will still be able to use the pump track. I hope this happens quickly and information on this is available to all families as a number of them have been expecting Club 365 in the usual venue.”
Craigneuk Community Council chair Margaret Carlin added: “More kids will definitely go if it is in Craigneuk. I’m delighted but I don’t understand why it moved in the first place.”
According to a recent council report, there were 1,044 kids in the Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig council ward, which includes Craigneuk, living in poverty. That figure is higher than the North Lanarkshire average of 24.87 per cent.
Labour’s Craigneuk councillor Kenneth Duffy said: “The community was rightly upset that we had lost this amazing programme and I am thrilled it’s now back, so we can tackle poverty, and offer children the opportunity to join in the fun over the summer break.”
NLC’S education convener Frank Mcnally added: “We continually review and assess all arrangements for Club365 in order that we are able to provide services to the maximum number of children who will most benefit from it.
“Following feedback from the local community the council is considering an alternative venue for Club365 provision in the Craigneuk area.
“At the moment it looks likely that we will move the venue from Wishaw Sports Centre to Berryhill Primary, and we hope to have this in place as soon as possible.
“The other venues running Club365 over the summer holidays in the Wishaw area are Made4u in NL2 and Centrepoint.”