The council’s decision to move its Club365 programme out of Craigneuk has been slammed by local residents.
The programme, which gives school children meals throughout the holidays, had been expected to continue at the Glencassells Community Development Project, known as The Venny, next to the Wishawhill Wood pump track.
However, it was confirmed last Friday that the programme would now take place at Wishaw Sports Centre.
Community interest company Socialtrack were set to put on events throughout the summer for kids at the pump track and are thousands of pounds out of pocket.
Dan Scott, from Socialtrack, said: “I was shocked by the decision but not surprised.
“There are a lot of kids from Craigneuk in Wishawhill who were coming to Club 365 because it was at the pump track and they won’t now go to the sports centre.
“There’s a wide range of people in the area who can’t believe the decision has been made. We have people from different groups who are all saying the same thing.
“From our point of view, the council have spent money training all our staff and we have spent money ahead of the summer holidays.
“Craigneuk and Wishawhill are one of the most socially deprived areas in North Lanarkshire so to not have Club365 in this area is crazy.”
According to a recent council report, there were 1,044 kids in the Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig council ward, which includes Craigneuk, living in poverty.
That figure is higher than the North Lanarkshire average of 24.87 per cent.
Craigneuk Community Council chair Margaret Carlin added: “It’s a crazy decision.
“It made sense to have Club365 at the pump track because that’s where the majority of kids would be over the summer.
“I really don’t understand the council’s logic. It had been running successfully.
“A lot of kids from our area will not travel up to the sports centre. “
A council spokesperson said: “An open tendering exercise was carried out, which was run fully in line with the council’s contract standing orders.
“Three venues in Wishaw were awarded contracts to run Club365 over the summer holidays; Wishaw Leisure Centre, Made4U in NL2 and Centrepoint.”
