Approximately £68,000 is to go to projects aimed at tackling violent crime, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime in Newtownards.

Last week the council held a special meeting calling on the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) and the Department of Social Development (DSD) to urgently engage with the staff and committee of Cancer Lifeline in Alliance Avenue to ensure that ‘the group is not lost to the people of north Belfast’.

The current premises are up for sale and even though the group has first refusal, it must raise £260,000 to buy them.

Speaking after the meeting, Liddean McStravog, project co-ordinator at Cancer Lifeline, said: “The support we have had so far has been fantastic. The services we provide are a lifeline for people suffering from cancer in north Belfast.

“People who have just been diagnosed can speak with someone who has been through it and who can help them with practical support.

“We have to be hopeful that something will come up to keep us going. Cancer Lifeline is well recognised for the work it does in the community and we are hopeful something can be done to help us.”

The proposal to write to the two departments was made by Councillor Ian Crozier and seconded by Councillor Diane Dodds, gaining strong cross-party support.

Councillor Crozier said: “The group was formed back in 1999 and delivers a vital service for people with cancer. The services they provide are really good, particularly the complementary ones.

“Everybody involved in Cancer Lifeline has had cancer so they are well placed to give advice to people with it.

“They need about £260,000 to buy the building. There is a number of ways the council can help them and I wanted to make sure we had a united political front.”

Councillor Margaret McClenaghan, who had undergone treatment for cancer this year, said: “The people who have cancer and who need cared for, need that care in the heart of their community.

“Cancer Lifeline is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, giving an essential service in north Belfast. It is a beacon.

“For some people Cancer Lifeline is their first stop if they have been diagnosed with cancer. It gives you a lot of hope to speak with someone who has come through cancer and when you are first diagnosed you need hope.”

A spokeswoman for DSD said: “DSD records indicate that Cancer Lifeline have a lease on their premises from September 1, 2002, for 20 years, at an annual rent of £500.

“In September 2007 Belfast Regeneration Office provided a grant of almost £35,000 to refurbish the premises following a flood.

“BRO currently provide a small amount of funding to help meet salary costs (£1,600).”

A DHSSPS spokeswoman: "The department will consider the letter from Belfast City Council when it is received and respond in due course."

Seven projects have successfully applied for funding from the Ards Community Safety Partnership, with everything from a telephone service for vulnerable people to arson prevention work, benefiting from grant-aid.

Almost £12,000 will go to fund a Domestic Violence school officer, who delivers a programme to young male and female students which encourages them to “learn about and discuss acceptable and unacceptable behaviour” in a relationship and highlights how abuse can lead to a lack of self-confidence, self-esteem and depression.

In 2007/08 six schools and over 800 pupils benefited from the initiative which also receives funding from North Down Community Safety Partnership and is managed by Women’s Aid.

Those who live alone and who can at times feel vulnerable, will benefit from The Good Morning Project which delivers a free daily telephone service from trained operators to make sure the person is feeling well and content every morning between 9.00am and 10.30am.

If the operator senses from the call that the client is distressed, or indeed not receiving the call, the next of kin or appropriate support agency is contacted. The service is managed by Age Concern and will receive funding of £7,800.

Young people living in Newtownards, including the West Winds, Glen, Bowtown and Scrabo estates, will now have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Four Peaks Achievement Project’ which operates in a similar way to the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, offering a range of activities but over a shorter period of time.

The project, which is to be funded to the tune of £20,000, also includes workshops on issues such as the impact of anti-social behaviour on local communities, drug and alcohol education and good citizenship.

The on-going work of the Ards Borough Council’s Bonfire Management Programme has also received funding, with a £9,000 grant awarded to help in the drive to ensure that traditional bonfires are held in a responsible way, reducing anti-social behaviour, fear of crime and developing intergenerational links within the various communities.

The project targeted 18 communities in Ards with each receiving help towards holding a family orientated event during last week’s July 11 bonfire celebrations.

A scheme aimed at educating young people about the dangers associated with fire and arson is also being funded.

Approximately £4,800 has been awarded to the LIFE programme (Local Intervention Fire Education), run by the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.

It consists of a five day intensive course at a local fire station where young people, referred by the Youth Justice Agency, PSNI and NIHE, are encouraged to identify and take ownership of the consequences of their actions.

The Bowtown Community Development Group was also successful in its application for funding of £2,000 to address the anti-social behaviour issues which can occur around band parades.

Building on a successful pilot scheme run by the council last year, the group plans to change a band parade from a Friday evening in Newtownards town centre to a Saturday afternoon in the Bowtown estate, with a family fun day incorporated into the event to give a more family oriented feel.

The partnership has also agreed to continue with its Small Grants project where local groups can apply for funding of up to £1,000 to help run schemes which will address community safety issues on the ground.

A total of £12,600 has been allocated to this area of work.