A COUNCIL leader has pledged his authority’s full support to help volunteers save dozens of community centres threatened with closure.

Simon Henig, Labour leader of Durham County Council, made the pledge as his cabinet confirmed the closure of 14 facilities and agreed to hand over or close another 16 and stop investing in a further 38.

Councillors also agreed £2.15m to improve 36 centres; while repair schemes are already agreed for another 16.

Coun Henig said the Community Buildings Strategy had to be seen in the context of the council losing 40 per cent of its budget by 2017.

But he added: “We will do all we can to help groups take control of their own centres.

“The process of talking to people across the county very much remains open and will remain so for two years.”

Council chiefs say 40 groups want to take over their local centre and another 35 are considering the option.

They have £600,000 to help socalled “asset transfers”, £280,000 for a Community Buildings Grant Fund and are in talks with social housing providers on them taking over smaller communal rooms.

However, afterwards, Jack Collins, chairman of Witton-le-Wear community centre, said: “If our community centre closes, there’s no alternative in the village.”

Earlier, Weardale independent councillor John Shuttleworth said the changes would “strangle”

communities.

Crook North and Tow Law councillor Patricia Jopling asked whether £568,000 earmarked for the Elite Hall, in Crook, would be spent on community centres in the town.

Councillor John Bailey, also Crook North and Tow Law, said the management committee at Hargill Haven, in Howden-le-Wear, was willing to take it over.

Cabinet member Brian Stephens refused to close any options on Hargill Haven and said no decisions had been taken on the £568,000.

Howden-le-Wear and Thornley community centres and Chester Moor Hut, which had been set for investment last summer, have now lost out; while Bearpark, Framwellgate Moor and Hunwick community centres will now get cash.

Kelly Smith, from Hunwick, said: “This is an excellent result for Hunwick but we also appreciate that other community buildings have not been as fortunate.

“Any loss of provision within a community can have a devastating impact and people really need to come together to prevent this from happening.”