Community assets

Challenge

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, taking the period 2010–2011 to 2024–2025 as a whole, councils’ overall core funding was 18 per cent lower in real terms per person than at the start of the 2010s. To cope, councils have had to prioritise statutory services such as social care and education, resulting in a 40 per cent per person reduction in spending on community assets like village halls, playgrounds, and parks.

This decline in local authority funding has placed pressure on the sustainability of community assets, which are essential for fostering wellbeing, social connection, and resilience. Without additional support, many of these facilities risk falling into disrepair or closure, weakening the social fabric of local communities.

Solution

Recognising this challenge, Breedon has stepped up its efforts to support the communities in which it operates. The company has contributed both time and financial resources to ensure that key community assets continue to thrive.

This includes:

• Contributing towards the cost of installing solar panels at Bamford Primary School (Hope Cement Works) and Wigmore Village Community Centre (Leinthall Quarry)
  
  
• Donating materials for leisure and recreation facilities including a community bike shelter at Ardchattan Village Hall (Benderloch Concrete), a children’s play area at Flance Early Learning Center (St Louis Concrete, Missouri) and 120 tonnes of sand to Monikie Country Park (Powmyre Quarry)
  
  
• Contributing to community sports facilities such as £10,000 towards remedial works at Wrockwardine Playing Fields (Leaton Quarry) and sponsoring the development of an accessible Fit Trail at Liatroim Fontenoys (Temple Quarry, Ireland)
  
  
• Using volunteer hours to regenerate community assets such as Eirianfa Community Centre (Denbigh Quarry), Buxworth Memorial Club (Hope Cement Works/Procurement), Carrington Village Hall (Temple Quarry, Scotland), Veterans Food Pantry at Elks Lodge 2726 (St Louis Concrete, Missouri) and Greene County Training Center (Halfway Concrete, Missouri)

Through all these contributions, Breedon continues to strengthen the communities where we operate - investing not only in essential and sustainable facilities, but also in the long-term health, wellbeing, and enjoyment of local people.