National identity (From The Northern Echo)

National identity

2:43pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Comment

COMMUNITIES Secretary Eric Pickles yesterday vowed to stand up for “mainstream” values by strengthening the British national identity.

Announcing a Government community cohesion strategy, he called on local communities to use events, such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, to come together around shared values.

How ironic then, that at the same time as Mr Pickles was urging collective action, Durham County Council was spelling out its plans to close dozens of community centres and village halls.

The local authority, which is facing a £190m budget reduction, plans to close 14 community centres, off-load or shut another 16 and halt investment in a further 38.

Community centres are at the heart of small towns and villages throughout the region. They are used by people of all ages – from toddler groups to pensioners’ social clubs – where folk from different social groups meet, mix and work together.

Their importance was officially recognised in 1944 when the Ministry of Education proposed that a community centre should be regarded as “an essential amenity of community living”.

We appreciate Durham County Council’s difficult position and welcome its plan to invest £2.15m in the centres that will be left.

Council chiefs hope community groups will take over some of the threatened centres and we trust the authority stands ready to help those who want to help themselves.