KCC SHOULD TAKE OVER ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

Dr Geoff Meaden, Green Party Candidate for Canterbury, is calling for Kent County Council to step in to take over the Canterbury Environment Centre. Dr Meaden, who has previously served on the Environment Centre's Committee, comments:

"Teachers, school and university students and local community groups would all benefit from having a major resource centre for the Environment in Canterbury. The Green Party believes that Kent County Council should fund the Canterbury Environment Centre, providing core funding to ensure adequate opening hours 7 days a week. If they did so, other bodies such as Canterbury City Council and the South East England Development Agency could part-fund other aspects of the Centre. Income from bookings would rise if the Centre were available for bookings throughout the week and at weekends. "The Environment Centre's current negotiations with Kings School threaten the public use of the Centre. The Green Party is concerned that this may mean limited access for community groups and booking fees such groups cannot afford."

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FURTHER INFORMATION: Geoff Meaden on 01227 456806. Contact address as above. Dr Meaden is a Senior Lecturer in Geography at Canterbury Christ Church University College. Dr Meaden has taught at the Simon Langton Girls' School, Canterbury College and currently at Canterbury Christ Church University College.