Concerns over Glasgow charity being 'removed' from Dennistoun centre
Following an admission of 'not being compliant' with regulatory and financial standards, Reidvale Housing Association (RHA), under a new team who have 'led RHA through a full-scale recovery', reviewed the situation at the centre as 'unsustainable'.
A review found that the centre costs over £80,000 per year to run, but had previously been a free-to-use space for charities, most recently Bluevale.
Bluevale Community Club are being removed from the centre (Image: Colin Mearns)
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RHA then conducted an expression of interest process, through which Bluevale and other groups applied for the lease of the space.
After assessing all applicants 'against a clear, fair criteria', The Halliday Foundation was selected as the 'most suitable organisation to take the centre forward' and announced as the new tenant.
Bluevale's occupancy, which RHA said was an 'informal arrangement', will come to an end on August 21.
The announcement that Bluevale would no longer be operating from the centre has caused upset among locals.
Logan Clark, 17, has been a volunteer at Bluevale for years. He said: "I'm devastated, it's shocking and frustrating that we're being removed from the centre."
Logan Clark, 17, a volunteer with the Bluevale community group. (Image: Colin Mearns)
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He's part of a group of young people who've organised the 'show of support' for the charity.
Logan said: "It's a peaceful gathering for us all to come together as a community and show that there's more support for Bluevale in the community than the housing association thinks.
"The backlash and comments online have been worrying and confusing - it feels like there's a divide where we should all be coming together, we're protesting for the community for a service that's so vital for the community."
A poster for the protest that has been shared online (Image: Supplied)
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Kenny Trainer, project manager at the Bluevale Community Centre, said: "The sad thing is you're looking at the third sector here.
"There's only so much funding that goes into Dennistoun, and now what's going to happen is you're going to have two organisations competing for that funding, and you're going to have duplication of services which never ever had to happen."
He feels there has been "no community involvement or professional handling of the transfer by the housing association" and that they were left in a position where "two charities were put up against each other."
The Glasgow Times was told that a Special General Meeting was called for by tenants, which received 52 signatures, and asked if this was taken into consideration.
Julie Smillie, Interim Director at Reidvale Housing Association (RHA) said: 'The Special General Meeting (SGM) request was invalid, as only 44 of the 52 signatories were shareholding members, below the required threshold.
'In addition, the SGM resolution concerned operational matters, under our governing rules and the wider regulatory framework, these kinds of operational decisions are the responsibility of the Committee, not shareholders.
'During this process, we have ensured that the Scottish Housing Regulator has been kept informed throughout.'
Kenny Trainer, project manager at Bluevale Community Club (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns)
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Explaining the situation from RHA's perspective, Julie continued: 'Early in 2023, the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre was closed because the then management committee was unable to continue to provide the level of financial support, which ultimately comes from tenants' rents, to keep it open.
'In November 2023 it was re-opened, based on promises of financial support from another housing association during the proposed transfer of engagements.
'Unwisely, it was re-opened without any formal agreements in place. The promised funding was not forthcoming once it became clear that the transfer would not proceed.
'Since then, it has been operating without a lease, service agreement or any financial contribution towards RHA,'s costs.
'That left the full cost, more than £80,000 a year, falling to the Association and our tenants.
'In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, and as we work hard to restore financial stability, that simply isn't sustainable or fair.
'We knew decisive action was needed, so we ran an open and transparent process, supported by an independent third party against a thorough criteria, to find the right long-term operator for the Centre.
'The Halliday Foundation was identified as the best fit. They bring with them a strong track record and a clear commitment to delivering a wide range of activities that will benefit the whole community.
"Bluevale Community Club were offered space within the centre under this new model, but that offer was declined.
'We know how much the Centre means to this community, it's a vital space for many. But under previous leadership, it was set up to operate in what proved to be an unsustainable way.
'We have a duty to put that right, which is why we've acted to protect the centre's future. We're securing it through proper agreements, responsible stewardship, and a renewed commitment to the people it serves, so it can stay open and continue supporting the community for years to come.'
Concerns over Glasgow charity being 'removed' from centre (Image: Colin Mearns)
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Kenny confirmed to us that an offer of the use of some space was never 'formally' offered by RHA and that they advised he would have to rent space through The Halliday Foundation, something he says he 'wasn't comfortable doing'.
The Halliday Foundation also confirmed that the space would be available to rent.
Fears have been shared in the community that services for children will be removed with Bluevale, however, Chris Halliday from the foundation confirmed that wasn't the case.
Children at one of Bluevale's summer activities in the centre (Image: Colin Mearns) Chris said: "We will be running activities for all ages and will be conducting a community consultation when we have access to the centre on September 1.
"We are a community-led organisation and will be led by the community's needs."
RHA has also confirmed the commitment to those services a the centre, Julie said: 'The Halliday Foundation will continue to provide services for children at the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre.
'We're committed to working closely with the foundation and the local community to ensure that we continue to develop and strengthen services in line with community needs."
Kenny said that Bluevale are currently looking at other options for premises in the area.
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Julie Smillie, Interim Director at Reidvale Housing Association (RHA) said: 'The Halliday Foundation will continue to provide services for children at the Reidvale Neighbourhood Centre. 'We're committed to working closely with the foundation and the local community to ensure that we continue to develop and strengthen services in line with community needs. 'The Special General Meeting (SGM) request was invalid, as only 44 of the 52 signatories were shareholding members, below the required threshold. 'In addition, the SGM resolution concerned operational matters, under our governing rules and the wider regulatory framework, these kinds of operational decisions are the responsibility of the Committee, not shareholders. 'During this process, we have ensured that the Scottish Housing Regulator has been kept informed throughout.' 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