PAIGNTON MONASTERY - OUTRAGE OVER FAILURE TO MAKE BID FOR GRANT

10.16.01am GMT Thu 8th Nov 2007

The Liberal Democrat Councillor for Clifton with Maidenway Ruth Pentney has tabled a Freedom of Information request regarding the Council's decision not to make a bid for lottery money for the Monastery in Paignton.

Under the Freedom of Information Act Councillor Pentney has requested to know the names of who on the Council decided not to make a bid to the Big Lottery Fund for money to turn the Monastery into a building for community use. She has also requested to see all the documentation.

Councillor Pentney said: "I was led to understand that the Council was considering a bid to the Government's Big Lottery Fund for money to turn the Monastery into a building for Community use. There is strong feeling about this issue in the Clifton with Maidenway Ward - a Friends Group has been set up, and there have been a number of meetings with over 70 people in attendance. The Council has been having meetings about the Monastery, but neither Councillor Ian Doggett nor myself as the ward Councillors have been invited to those meetings. It seems that decisions have been taken behind closed doors.

"The Friends Group were very much hoping that a bid would be made so that the building could be kept for community use. Indeed the Government are encouraging local authorities to support community groups to take over and run community assets such as the Monastery."