Burnham calls for schools to be community hubs of the future (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Burnham calls for schools to be community hubs of the future

January 31, 2007 1:01 PM

Eleanor with Welsh Liberal Democrat Collegue Karen Roberts and one of the Cambrian Village Trust Football Academy coaches on her 20:20 visit to Rhonnda Cynon Taf

Ahead of a series of visits to organisations and schools in Rhondda Cynon Taf on Thursday, Welsh Liberal Democrat Culture and Sport Spokesperson Eleanor Burnham has set out her vision for the future of sport and culture in Wales.

The speech (full text below) is part of a series of 20:20 vision speeches being undertaken by Welsh Liberal Democrat AMs.

Ms Burnham, along with local Welsh Lib Dem Assembly Candidates Mike Powell and Karen Roberts, will be visiting a series of new projects underway in Tonypandy, Ystrad and Pontypridd. These projects offer ways to put communities throughout Wales in charge of their own sporting and cultural life, using community school buildings and recreational facilities and sharing coaching expertise between schools, clubs and local teams.

Ms Burnham said: "I look forward to living in a country where buildings and facilities are not locked up as soon as school has finished, but are open to local groups and organisations, charities and clubs.

"The space is there, right on our doorsteps, but there are funding barriers and rules that mean local people can't access their own facilities. I want to tackle the problems that currently stop us from making the most of our school buildings, and open them up into hubs for our communities. All over Wales we want to use this space in the best way possible, giving everyone the chance to go out and get healthy, have fun, make friends and be creative.

She also called for "real devolution" to give communities greater freedom to run their local facilities and amenities and to give people real pride in Welsh sporting and cultural achievements.

Eleanor with Welsh Liberal Democrat collegues Mike Powell and Karen Roberts on her 20:20 Vision visit

"I want to see communities organising themselves to take control of parks and leisure facilities. That's real devolution - giving people a real stake in their communities.

"When we each involve ourselves in grassroots activities; our local sports teams, our community clubs, we are engaging with a heritage which has seen Wales rise to be world class.

"I would like to see our political system support this heritage in Wales today, from the smallest village to the international stage. I'm sure that with the right attitude to government investment and support, cultural pride, fun and fitness, and solidarity in our communities will be the driving forces that keep the heart of our nation beating."

Notes/nodiadau:

Summary of Ms Burnham's program for Thursday 1st February:

• Visiting the Sixth Form Sport Academy and Drama Theatre at Tonypandy Community College: 9.45am - 11.15am

• Visiting Ysgol Hen Felin, Special Needs School, Ystrad as a member of the Cambrian Village Trust football coaching scheme: 11.25 am - 12.00 noon

Eleanor and her Welsh Liberal Democrat colleague Cllr Mike Powell get stuck in with the Cambrian Village Trust on their 20:20 visit at Ysgol Hen Felin in Rhondda Cynon Taf

• Visiting Pontypridd Museum: 1.30 pm - 2pm