Dear friends

The business plan for the future of Exploris, prepared by Ards Borough Council, has been examined by the Department of the Environment and was returned to Ards BC for minor clarifications, last month. This was to be corrected and a more final version returned to the Executive in Stormont, who are being asked to fund a refurbishment of facilities in Exploris. 
We believe that this has not been followed through, and the revised business plan has never been sent back to the Executive.

Time is running out — there are only 2 weeks left till the next Council meeting — and this is extremely urgent. If Ards Borough Council has not got funding *confirmed* from the Executive before 26 March, they will proceed to close and dispose of Exploris. This funding depends on the business plan being finalised and returned to Stormont!

Please help! Pressure Ards Borough Council to act on this. DOE has already promised funding, and more is available from the Executive, if we only follow due process. 

We are asking everyone to phone, email, and tweet 
Mayor Stephen McIlveen – (028) 9187 1441 / councillor.stephen.mcilveen@ards-council.gov.uk / @StephenMcIlveen 
Mr Ashley Boreland (chief executive) – (028) 9182 4004 / ards@ards-council.gov.uk 

Thank you for your support

Dr Julia Sigwart
Chair, Friends of Exploris Trust