FEARS over the long-term future of the town have lead to a rallying call for Òa fairer deal for AltonÓ when it comes to the distribution of local government finance.

In a personal letter to The Herald this week, Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry secretary David Gayis urging local people to get behind a campaign to save AltonÕs aging community facilities Òbefore it is too late.Ó

There is, he pointed out, a real risk of losing some really great, and most would argue essential, facilities and amenities over the next couple of years, and his hope is Òthat local people care enough to make a difference.Ó

ÒIt will be much easier to fight for what we have then to get it back once we have lost it!Ó points out Mr Gay.

He refers, in particular, to the plight of Alton Community Association (ACA) - of which he is chairman, whose members announced recently that Alton Community Centre could face closure within the next 18 months due to lack of financial resources.

The existing building is considered Òpast its sell-by dateÓ and is beginning to generate escalating maintenance costs which the ACA will soon be unable to meet.

Furthermore, points out Mr Gay, Alton Town Council has expressed similar concerns over Alton Assembly Rooms where lack of funding is hindering much needed refurbishment plans.

To add fuel to the fire, and despite being earmarked by local people for continued community use, an appeal inspector has ruled that the old United Reformed Church building in Normandy Street can be converted to housing.

ÒThe proprietor of the Palace Cinema was interested in the building for a second screen auditorium which would have facilitated much needed disabled access. This, in my opinion, would have been of greater benefit to Alton than three houses,Ó said a disappointed Mr Gay.

He is supported in this view by an article in the Chamber newsletter which perceives an urgent need in Alton for a major multi-purpose civic building to provide for the needs of an expanding community.

Mr Gay believes that while Alton produces 40 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for East Hampshire and has a large Uniform Business Rate bill, it does not appear to be getting a fair share of this money back for the benefit of the town and the community.

ÒSome people would argue that our local policing arrangements are far from satisfactory and clearly little is being spent on the improvement and maintenance of our roads and streets,Ó says the Alton man who asks where the money that we pay in tax is in fact going.

ÒPerhaps it is going in additional bureaucracy and surveys to ensure that our councils are being politically correct, that minority groups are promoted and that environmental issues are fully explored. All, perhaps very laudable, but not if, as a consequence, we lose the essential services and amenities of our town.

ÒItÕs a bit like buying a tin of polish to clean the family silver, but having to sell the silver to buy the polish!Ó

Like Alton Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Gay is concerned that in a few years time no suitable buildings will remain in the town to provide highly valued community services.

As such, he is inviting anyone who believes that ÒAlton needs a fairer dealÓ to phone or fax him on 01420 544881.

ÒBetween us we might achieve something better,Ó he said.