Controversial West Lothian Council Community Centre plans are under fire, with workers feeling ‘exhausted’ and people being put off from using the spaces, according to claims. The Council has proposed that management committees of community centres should take on ownership of the buildings to save £1 million. Other options include a full repairing and insuring lease or accepting all charges billed by the council. The council argues that the current model, where it pays for the buildings but the committees keep any profits, is unsustainable.
However, some community centre workers have expressed their exhaustion and concern over the impact of the plans. They believe that the proposals are deterring groups from booking the centres. An SNP demand to delay the January deadline for the potential transfer of community centres to volunteers was narrowly defeated in the council chambers. SNP Depute Leader, Pauline Stafford, criticized the plan as a “hard-nosed fire sale,” stating that communities are feeling pressured by the approach.
There is a general consensus outside the council chambers that the plans could have been handled better politically, and that affected parties should have been better informed about the council’s options. Workers feel that they could have been engaged earlier to explore alternative cost-cutting measures. While some community centres may be prepared to become independent of the council, many, especially smaller village halls, are not ready for such a transition.
The SNP leader, Janet Campbell, criticized the rushed nature of the plans, stating that communities are feeling torn apart by the actions of the administration. There are calls for the council to extend the timescale for local organizations to make decisions and provide support for communities. Meanwhile, a community centre worker highlighted the irony of the council offering workshops on running community centres when they are struggling to do so profitably themselves.
In response to the concerns raised, Independent councillor Andrew McGuire stated that the current proposals are only for consultation. Council leader Lawrence Fitzpatrick emphasized that no community will be left without a meeting place and highlighted the success of community asset transfers at the Low Port Centre. The rationale behind the process is to keep community centres open and find better ways to run and manage them.
The SNP group highlighted that only three Community Asset Transfers have occurred in the county since the introduction of the Community Empowerment Act in 2015. The ongoing debate reflects a clash of perspectives on the best way to sustain and manage community spaces in West Lothian. Amidst the tensions and uncertainties, community centre workers and volunteers continue to navigate through the complexities of the proposed changes to safeguard the future of these vital community hubs.