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Anahilt Community Association
Press Release - April 28th, 2004
Anahilt Community Association Closes
After 5 years since it's inception, the activities of Anahilt Community
Association have been suspended. Several of the Association's recent and
long term initiatives; (recruiting new members, organised activities such
as quizzes, bus trips and lobbying local authorities for facilities) have
failed to achieved positive outcomes. In addition, a number of long-standing
members of the committee did not stand for re-election at the Association's
AGM in February.
Morale within the Association was particularly hard-hit upon learning
of the recent re-zoning of land reserved for recreational facilities in
the village; which is now to be used for property development instead.
The Association has expressed criticism of the local authorities for failing
to provide badly-needed play/recreational facilities in the village, which
at the request of the Anahilt's residents, have been pursued by the Association
and elected representatives for over 5 years.
At the AGM on February 26th, no new volunteers agreed to join the Association,
resulting in the meeting failing to elect a properly constituted committee.
At the end of the meeting only 4 committee members were elected, where
a minimum of 8 was required. It was agreed by the gathered residents that
the 4 elected individuals could try to carry on the activities of the
Association by attempting to recruit new members. If this could not be
achieved then the committee would close the Association and distribute
its remaining assets to Good Causes, which benefit the local community.
On March 25th , a meeting of the previously elected committee was held
and it was agreed that it was not possible to continue the work of the
Association due to lack of new members. It was therefore decided at that
meeting, that the Association's activities would be suspended and that
its assets should be distributed to local Good Causes as previously stated
at the AGM.
Some projects could however, be carried forward, particularly the need
for play/recreation facilities in the village. It was agreed that outgoing
committee members could individually pursue these projects after the suspension
of the Association, if they so desired. It was also agreed that the Association's
documentation & correspondence should be retained, to give a head
start to any future attempt, to re-constitute the Association.
The Community Association's assets have now been distributed to local
Good Causes: the Scouts/Youth Group and Anahilt Primary School Parent/Teacher
Association being the main beneficiaries. The hosting of the community
website www.Anahilt.org.uk has been pre-paid for two years and it will
remain in place until the hosting period expires in January 2006.
Finally, all committee members expressed their deep regret that the Association's
activities have been suspended. There was particular concern that Lisburn
City Council may not supply a Christmas tree in December, as it only provides
trees to communities with a properly constituted community group. It was
however hoped that in the near future, some residents may feel the need
to re-constitute the Association and that they would have the support
of the outgoing members of this committee, should this happen.
ENDS.
Further article in Belfast Telegraph 30/4/2004 Click
Here
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