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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian community centre management plans 'mired in confusion'
West Lothian Council began a review a year ago in a bid to save £1m. Community centre management committees were encouraged to buy the buildings and manage them or take out leases with the council. The future of community centres in West Lothian has become mired in confusion and the council needs to rebuild public confidence, it has been claimed. West Lothian Council began a review a year ago in a bid to save £1m. Community centre management committees were encouraged to buy the buildings and manage them or take out leases with the council. Only just over half of that saving has been identified as the plan has developed Last month the council introduced a new option - where it would take control of the bulk of community centres. Many centres fear this would mean an increase in costs for user groups leading to a drop off in use and potential closures. The recent announcement that the council could end up managing the bulk of centres has further muddied the picture, the Joint Forum of Community Councils said. The Forum has now submitted a Freedom of Information ( FoI) request for details of the financial savings, adding: 'The financial aspects of the review remain baffling.' In a statement the Forum added: 'It's unfortunate the council began this process with pre-determined solutions rather than with an open mind and a blank slate.' The Forum has called for a new discussion with the council to look at the positives thrown up by the review process. In its statement the Forum said: 'It appears the alternative solutions that centres were encouraged to submit have been dismissed for not meeting the required savings. Unfortunately, no further collective discussion or exploration of these proposals was encouraged or held.' It added: 'We've heard inspiring stories from Management Committees who, catalysed by the Review, held public meetings and attracted more volunteers for their centres. They've revitalised centre activities, encouraged new user groups, and actively engaged with their communities, generating a wealth of ideas for new initiatives and forging valuable contacts. 'Many have responded to suggestions for modernisation, exploring investment plans from their reserves and even considering updating their constitutions to move from unincorporated to incorporated charity status. 'They've also championed the need for a modern online booking system or a local community wealth-building repair and maintenance system, whether local or West Lothian-wide. 'Unfortunately, these promising initiatives are now in limbo, awaiting clear direction from the local authority. We believe a round table event would help everyone move forward and facilitate the implementation of these changes.' The Forum said the introduction of the council takeover option along with the inclusion, in January, of school community wings into the review had added to public confusion of what was trying to be achieved. Speaking to councillors at the Executive in early May, Julie Whitelaw, the head of Housing Customer and Building services stressed that the council management option had been shared with all management committees along with: 'the implications we would require to look at reduction in operating models looking at sustainable models.' She reiterated that the process was designed to keep community centres open and running. The Forum commented: 'To date, there hasn't been a West Lothian-wide consultation round table with the Centre's Management Committees that allowed for an open agenda without preconditions. 'We consider this a necessary step that must be taken. We ask that this suggestion be given full consideration. 'Community Centre management committees that have already decided to acquire or rent their centres have chosen their path and would naturally be excused from any future all-centre consultations.'
Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Call to reset on West Lothian community centre plans
The future of community centres in West Lothian has become mired in confusion and the council needs to rebuild public confidence, it has been claimed. West Lothian Council began a review a year ago in a bid to save £1m. Community centre management committees were encouraged to buy the buildings and manage them or take out leases with the council. Only just over half of that saving has been identified as the plan has developed Last month the council introduced a new option – where it would take control of the bulk of community centres . Many centres fear this would mean an increase in costs for user groups leading to a drop off in use and potential closures. The recent announcement that the council could end up managing the bulk of centres has further muddied the picture, the Joint Forum of Community Councils said. The Forum has now submitted a Freedom of Information (FoI) request for details of the financial savings, adding: 'The financial aspects of the review remain baffling.' In a statement the Forum added: 'It's unfortunate the council began this process with pre-determined solutions rather than with an open mind and a blank slate.' The Forum has called for a new discussion with the council to look at the positives thrown up by the review process. In its statement the Forum said: 'It appears the alternative solutions that centres were encouraged to submit have been dismissed for not meeting the required savings. Unfortunately, no further collective discussion or exploration of these proposals was encouraged or held.' It added: 'We've heard inspiring stories from Management Committees who, catalysed by the Review, held public meetings and attracted more volunteers for their centres. They've revitalised centre activities, encouraged new user groups, and actively engaged with their communities, generating a wealth of ideas for new initiatives and forging valuable contacts. 'Many have responded to suggestions for modernisation, exploring investment plans from their reserves and even considering updating their constitutions to move from unincorporated to incorporated charity status. 'They've also championed the need for a modern online booking system or a local community wealth-building repair and maintenance system, whether local or West Lothian-wide. 'Unfortunately, these promising initiatives are now in limbo, awaiting clear direction from the local authority. We believe a round table event would help everyone move forward and facilitate the implementation of these changes.' The Forum said the introduction of the council takeover option along with the inclusion, in January, of school community wings into the review had added to public confusion of what was trying to be achieved. Speaking to councillors at the Executive in early May, Julie Whitelaw, the head of Housing Customer and Building services stressed that the council management option had been shared with all management committees along with: 'the implications we would require to look at reduction in operating models looking at sustainable models.' She reiterated that the process was designed to keep community centres open and running. The Forum commented: 'To date, there hasn't been a West Lothian-wide consultation round table with the Centre's Management Committees that allowed for an open agenda without preconditions. 'We consider this a necessary step that must be taken. We ask that this suggestion be given full consideration. 'Community Centre management committees that have already decided to acquire or rent their centres have chosen their path and would naturally be excused from any future all-centre consultations.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
4 days ago
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian community centre management plans 'mired in confusion'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The future of community centres in West Lothian has become mired in confusion and the council needs to rebuild public confidence, it has been claimed. West Lothian Council began a review a year ago in a bid to save £1m. Community centre management committees were encouraged to buy the buildings and manage them or take out leases with the council. Only just over half of that saving has been identified as the plan has developed. Last month the council introduced a new option - where it would take control of the bulk of community centres . Many centres fear this would mean an increase in costs for user groups leading to a drop off in use and potential closures. The recent announcement that the council could end up managing the bulk of centres has further muddied the picture, the Joint Forum of Community Councils said. The Forum has now submitted a Freedom of Information ( FoI) request for details of the financial savings, adding: 'The financial aspects of the review remain baffling.' In a statement the Forum added: 'It's unfortunate the council began this process with pre-determined solutions rather than with an open mind and a blank slate.' The Forum has called for a new discussion with the council to look at the positives thrown up by the review process. In its statement the Forum said: 'It appears the alternative solutions that centres were encouraged to submit have been dismissed for not meeting the required savings. Unfortunately, no further collective discussion or exploration of these proposals was encouraged or held.' It added: 'We've heard inspiring stories from Management Committees who, catalysed by the Review, held public meetings and attracted more volunteers for their centres. They've revitalised centre activities, encouraged new user groups, and actively engaged with their communities, generating a wealth of ideas for new initiatives and forging valuable contacts. 'Many have responded to suggestions for modernisation, exploring investment plans from their reserves and even considering updating their constitutions to move from unincorporated to incorporated charity status. 'They've also championed the need for a modern online booking system or a local community wealth-building repair and maintenance system, whether local or West Lothian-wide. ' Unfortunately, these promising initiatives are now in limbo, awaiting clear direction from the local authority. We believe a round table event would help everyone move forward and facilitate the implementation of these changes.' The Forum said the introduction of the council takeover option along with the inclusion, in January, of school community wings into the review had added to public confusion of what was trying to be achieved. Speaking to councillors at the Executive in early May, Julie Whitelaw, the head of Housing Customer and Building services stressed that the council management option had been shared with all management committees along with: 'the implications we would require to look at reduction in operating models looking at sustainable models.' She reiterated that the process was designed to keep community centres open and running. The Forum commented: 'To date, there hasn't been a West Lothian-wide consultation round table with the Centre's Management Committees that allowed for an open agenda without preconditions. 'We consider this a necessary step that must be taken. We ask that this suggestion be given full consideration. 'Community Centre management committees that have already decided to acquire or rent their centres have chosen their path and would naturally be excused from any future all-centre consultations.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council reprimanded after exposing sensitive data
A west London council has been reprimanded after personal details of more than 6,500 people including "sensitive" data about children was left online for almost two years. Hammersmith and Fulham Council inadvertently published the data when responding to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request in October 2021. The local authority's response included an excel spreadsheet with 35 hidden workbooks, 10 of which contained personal details, which was not discovered until November 2023. A council spokesperson said the error was fixed as soon as they were notified and staff are no longer allowed to supply information using the same format. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said the council's response to the FoI was uploaded to its own online disclosure log and provided to the website What Do They Know? (WDTK), which the request was made through. WDTK published the response on its own site in December 2021. The breach was not identified until WDTK completed a review of its website, after which it informed the council. The information was taken down from both sites. According to the ICO, a total of 6,528 people were affected, 2,342 of whom were children. While the adult data set included council employees, former employees and agency staff, the personal information belonging to children was described as sensitive in nature and related to the placement of looked-after children in the council's care. The ICO said children's personal data is considered "deserving of specific protection" and in this case, of particular concern was the personal data belonging to 96 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. There is no evidence the data was inappropriately accessed, processed or shared. The ICO noted a number of remedial steps taken by the council, including that redaction and disclosure guidance has been updated and training completed with the relevant team. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council reprimanded after exposing sensitive data
A west London council has been reprimanded after personal details of more than 6,500 people including "sensitive" data about children was left online for almost two years. Hammersmith and Fulham Council inadvertently published the data when responding to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request in October 2021. The local authority's response included an excel spreadsheet with 35 hidden workbooks, 10 of which contained personal details, which was not discovered until November 2023. A council spokesperson said the error was fixed as soon as they were notified and staff are no longer allowed to supply information using the same format. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), said the council's response to the FoI was uploaded to its own online disclosure log and provided to the website What Do They Know? (WDTK), which the request was made through. WDTK published the response on its own site in December 2021. The breach was not identified until WDTK completed a review of its website, after which it informed the council. The information was taken down from both sites. According to the ICO, a total of 6,528 people were affected, 2,342 of whom were children. While the adult data set included council employees, former employees and agency staff, the personal information belonging to children was described as sensitive in nature and related to the placement of looked-after children in the council's care. The ICO said children's personal data is considered "deserving of specific protection" and in this case, of particular concern was the personal data belonging to 96 unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. There is no evidence the data was inappropriately accessed, processed or shared. The ICO noted a number of remedial steps taken by the council, including that redaction and disclosure guidance has been updated and training completed with the relevant team. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to
