XN000022-1977-10-19 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1977

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MR. AKERS-JONES SAID THAT RURAL COMMITTEES HAD ALWAYS GIVEN ADVICE ON THE SPENDING OF THESE FUNDS IN THE PAST. AND AS THE RURAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN WOULD FORM THE NUCLEUS OF THE NEW BOARDS, THERE WAS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS FUNDS WILL NOT CONTINUE TO BE SPENT FOR THE BENEFITS, AND IN PARTICULAR, OF THE RURAL AREAS.

HE ADDED THAT, SUBJECT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVAL, THE BOARDS WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN THEIR OWN FUNDS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE LOCAL ACTIVITIES AND TO MAKE MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS.

+HITHERTO, SUCH ACTIVITIES HAVE HAD TO RELY ALMOST SOLELY ON GENEROUS PRIVATE DONATIONS,+ MR. AKERS-JONES SAID.

+ IN FUTURE, IT SHOULD ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO EXPAND LOCAL RECREATION AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND TO SUPPORT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS ARTS AND SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS.+

MR. AKERS-JONES ADDED THAT THE BOARDS WOULD RELY HEAVILY UPON RURAL COMMITTEES AND THE CHAIRMEN OF EXISTING ORGANISATIONS WHO ALREADY WORK TOGETHER IN THE DISTRICTS IN THE PROMOTION OF THE OBJECTS FOR WHICH THE ADVISORY BOARDS ARE BEING FORMED.