This year’s Castlemilk Community Forum AGM was overshadowed by the threat of its closure in the new year.

The Forum’s core funding has been withdrawn by the new Community Planning Partnership, along with the Govan, Gorbals and Pollok Community Forums, leaving the Forum unable to say whether or not it would remain after Christmas.
The 245-member Forum has an application for funding with the Big Lottery Fund and expects to have the decision in mid-December.

Co-ordinator Richard Sullivan told the LOCAL NEWS that the new board of directors, elected at the AGM, would have to decide whether to close down the Forum as a company, or keep it running using volunteers to staff it.

Mr Sullivan added, ‘These are very difficult times for the community as many projects will suffer as a result of new Community Planning structures. The Community Forum could potentially be one casualty, but the directors and staff are committed to ensuring that the Castlemilk community will continue to have a strong, independent voice that is led by the community.’

If Castlemilk Community Forum closes, three full-time staff will lose their jobs.

It was suggested at the meeting that Castlemilk should set up a Community Council to fill the gap left by Forum’s closure. Anyone interested in being a part of the Community Council should contact Marion Osborne, through the Forum, on 0141 634 3351.