Funding is available to put on play provision for youngsters.

Voluntary groups in Westhoughton are being urged to apply for the cash.

This comes after parents and residents in Westhoughton aired their concerns about there being no play provisions for children during the most recent half term break.

At a recent town hall meeting in Westhoughton, councillors discussed how they would be opening the budget to allow for more youth related activities in the area.

Cllr David Wilkinson said: “The council is looking to renew its contract with Bolton Council’s play and youth services for provision in Westhoughton otherwise there is no Bolton Council provision in Westhoughton.

“On the agenda was to renew the contract we have with Play and Youth with Bolton Council because earlier this year after chasing we found that Bolton Lads and Girls Club had left the premises because the building on Central Drive was unfit.

“Following the closure of Westhoughton centre of the Bolton Lads and Girls Club on Central Drive due to a leaking roof and water damage, the funding which the Westhoughton Town Council provided to Bolton Lads and Girls Club, and some left over from last year is now available for redirection to other organisations which provide opportunities for young people in Westhoughton.

“There will also be money from the coronation grant pot which no one applied to which will also be put to youth provision which will amount to £20K on top of the work with Play and Youth Services it means that a third of the town council budget will go towards youth.

“There is also the normal grant pot which organisations and groups can apply for a maximum of £500.

“Recent grants include Westhoughton Bowling, Friends of Eatock Lodge and warm room grants.

“Application details are on the Westhoughton Town Council website.

“The money which would have been in this year’s budget for the Westhoughton Centre for Bolton Lads and Girls Club is available now for other organisations to apply for.”

It was previously stated that the provisions were not being run in Westhoughton due to a missed proposal email from Bolton Lads and Girls Club as three town clerks resigned at the town hall.

However, Cllr Wilkinson has stated the three had valid reasons for leaving and Bolton Lads and Girls Club had already stated they could not provide provisions due to leaving the building.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “We had missed an email and we put our hands up to it but we are doing everything we can to rectify it because as members of the council we are doing all these bits and pieces at a voluntary capacity, because at the moment we do not have a town clerk, however we have set up an interview panel of six people and we have had a number of people apply for the job.

“And hopefully we will be in a position to appoint someone as town clerk as soon as possible.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno