MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Private Sector to provide community facility?

Will the much-wanted community centre be run by the private sector? A packed refreshment room in the town hall meant a lively public meeting about this yesterday evening. Over 100 hundred people attended the meeting, including some twenty teenagers. This was in relation to a question put to Councillors about a proposed community centre. Louise Pole-Evans asked if the Councillors were in favour of the idea. The enthusiasm from the public who turned out did not seem to be shared by the Councillors who stated that although they were in a favour of a community centre the financial implications were a concern. Councillor Halford asked ?who would pay for it' and Councillor Cockwell added that there was a private company interested in running a centre, possibly with a bowling alley and cinema at the public jetty site. Councillor Cheek said the idea would provide an alcohol free and family-friendly centre but said she felt that it had a better chance of working if it was privately run. Members of the public responded by saying that the private sector may overcharge for services and may not be the most appropriate people to run a community centre. Some felt that it should be a Government run initiative investing in the community.

Budget proves costly for smokers and drinkers.

Budget Legislative Council was held today with the Financial Secretary reading the Appropriation and Finance Bills for 2001. The cost of tobacco and spirits has been increased in the budget. There's also costly news for those who rent Government Housing and some changes in water rates. There were no proposals to adjust rates of income tax or allowance but costs for work permits and visas will go up, there is going to be discussions regarding medical charges and the financial secretary explains increases in retirement pensions funds. We'll be assessing the impact of some of the budget changes in tomorrow's News Direct. But, if you want to hear more this evening, they' ll be included in the highlights of Legislative Council which will be on directly after Calling the Falklands.

New Flight Schedule further forward

The new LanChile flight schedule may be further forward according to councillors at the public m