Village voice gets chance to speak out

A steering group has already been launched under the provisional name A Voice For Clayton.

At its latest meeting, it drew up plans to create a community centre at Clayton Middle School's annexe building when Bradford Council's education shake-up takes effect.

Councillor Joan Tough (Lab, Clayton) said: "In 18 months' time that building will stop being used by the school and it is strongly felt that the building should remain open for community use.

"The Council is looking at all buildings that are going to be surplus and it's been accepted that some school buildings will remain available for the community."

The annexe is already used for community groups such as the Scouts. But the steering group of A Voice for Clayton believes the use of the building could be extended.

"What the group is going to do is an analysis of all the users and potential users so that we can put a case together that it would be used viably and profitably by the community," said Coun Tough.

The steering group for the new body was formed following a meeting of Clayton Neighbourhood Forum in October when it was agreed to form a partnership involving as many village organisations as possible.

"The reaction has been very enthusiastic so far. People have been very positive," said Coun Tough.

Former Lord Mayor Coun Gordon Mitchell (Lab, Clayton) has also backed the idea of A Voice For Clayton, modelled along similar lines to groups such as the Better Bingley Campaign and Thornton Action Partnership..

The steering group will meet again in January at Clayton Village Hall in Reva Syke Road, Clayton.

Its members then hope to put together a newsletter to be distributed widely throughout the village outlining the areas they want to tackle.

An official public meeting would then be held in February to launch the organisation, choose a name, elect a committee and decide on a constitution.

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