End the neglect (From Barry And District News)

End the neglect

A BARRY councillor is asking the Vale of Glamorgan Council to regenerate a run-down community centre because he says it is degrading and an eyesore to the area it serves.

The centre is in Gibbonsdown, and the councillor claims it is being neglected.

Labour Town Councillor Richard Bertin, who is chair of the Gibbonsdown Community Centre, is demanding that the council improve the building's exterior, because he says it is in such poor condition that it is rapidly becoming unfit for use through deterioration and neglect over the years.

Cllr Bertin told the News: "Again this is a story of the two Vales.

Would residents in Rhoose, Cowbridge or Dinas Powys put up with a building resembling more of a run-down prison than a community centre? I think not. So why should Gibbonsdown?"

Local residents are ashamed of it, claims Cllr Bertin.

"As a newly formed committee we have been trying for the past year to get the exterior improved.

We even had a voluntary group offering to paint if the council repaired the damaged panels and guttering, but we are still waiting."

The centre is also home to the Gibbonsdown children's centre Manager Gill Bloom says something needs to be done quickly because the centre is probably losing valuable business through neglect.

"When people visiting the centre come to see it they are turned off by the deterioration, ultimately costing the centre business."