Farron - £50,000 for better youth facilities

Tim Farron has hailed a package of funding totalling over £50,000 to improve facilities for young people in our area.

£20,000 has been secured to upgrade the play area in Oxenholme. Play equipment was removed a few years ago and since then Councillor Brenda Gray has worked hard to secure funding to improve the area for local children.

A further £10,000 has been secured by Councillor Matt Severn for a BMX track on the Hallgarth estate. This is extra money, adding to the £55,000 already secured to improve the play area. Matt and Tim have thanked the Hallgarth Management Committee for their efforts to improve facilities for people on the estate.

Matt Severn, together with Stephen Coleman have secured another £950 for the Hallgarth Junior Football team.

Sedbergh Wanderers football team have also been given £264 to replace their goalposts.

The final announcement as part of the package is £20,000 for Rinkfield. Tim has been working with the Rinkfield Residents' Association and Councillor Graham Vincent to improve facilities. The Residents' Association conducted a survey asking people for their views, which they had fed back to the council. Tim has thanked them for doing this and said it was 'instrumental' in securing the funding.

Tim said: "£50,000 will make a massive difference to improve facilities throughout our area. I want to pay tribute to all the councillors and community groups who have made today's announcement happen.

"When I hold my regular youth surgeries on Kendal's estates young people regularly mention to me that they'd like to see a BMX track in town. This funding will help make that happen.

"I will keep working with local councillors and residents to improve facilities on the other estates of Kendal and in towns throughout South Lakeland."

Kendal Underley Councillor Matt Severn added: "It's fantastic that we've secured even more investment for young people's facilities on Hallgarth. It shows how committed we are to all ages and I know the young people will have real pride and joy in their community!"

Chris Hogg, South Lakeland District Cabinet member Culture, Arts and Events further added: "It's important for the future of South Lakeland that we provide facilities for young people and families. We continue to build affordable housing and create jobs that will attract families and need to provide the facilities to match."