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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.'
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Storm damage that destroyed 200 trees in West Lothian park unlikely to be clear by summer
Work to clear the last of the January storm damage in Beecraigs near Linlithgow is unlikely to be completed by the start of the summer holidays. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Beecraigs took the brunt of January's Storm Eowyn, and later storms, with more than 200 trees brought down. They were among thousands damaged across West Lothian. The loss of so many trees will mean that the long- term management plans for the woodlands will have to be updated. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad West Lothian Council has applied to Forestry Scotland for fast track felling licences to tackle the last remaining areas of fallen trees. Main public pathways are now open but there is still some windblown damage off the tracks. Paths are clear at the country park but there are still areas of damaged trees | West Lothian Council Following reports to the Linlithgow Local Area Committee a council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to remove the remainder of the windblown area, due to contractor availability, before the summer holidays. 'We are in the process of replacing signage to ask visitors to stay out of the windblown areas of woodland as these can be very dangerous, and intend to get the remaining windblown trees cleared post-holiday period.' Storm Eowyn had a significant impact on the woods at Beecraigs with at least 200 trees down over the main paths and tracks and many more over other paths, including the mountain bike routes, and within the woodland compartments. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Woodlands Ltd already had a harvesting contractor working for the council on another site and their contract was extended to allow them to move over to Beecraigs. A harvester, a large machine which cuts trees, was used to clear the fallen trees off all the main paths and car parks, which was safer and quicker than if this had to be done manually. The inhouse Tree and Woodland Operational Team went on to clear the trees across the smaller paths, which were more difficult to access by machine. A report to the local area committee concluded: 'The Beecraigs long-term Forest Plan is due to be updated, which will take some months, and so in the interim a Felling Permission Application has been submitted to Scottish Forestry and it is hoped that they will be able to 'fast track' this to enable further clear up of windblown trees within those compartments in the most popular areas of the park.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Councillor Sally Pattle, who chairs the local area committee told the LDRS: ' There are no paths blocked and no danger to the general public. I think there are no areas, that I as a regular user think I couldn't go. 'They are going to have to go back over a tree management plan because they have lost so many trees. We will have to rework plans.'
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Climate
- Edinburgh Reporter
Beecraigs storm clear-up unlikely to be completed by the start of the summer holidays
Work to clear the last of the January storm damage in Beecraigs near Linlithgow is unlikely to be completed by the start of the summer holidays. Beecraigs took the brunt of January's Storm Eowyn, and later storms, with more than 200 trees brought down. They were among thousands damaged across West Lothian. The loss of so many trees will mean that the long- term management plans for the woodlands will have to be updated. West Lothian Council has applied to Forestry Scotland for fast-track felling licences to tackle the last remaining areas of fallen trees. Main public pathways are now open but there is still some windblown damage off the tracks Following reports to the Linlithgow Local Area Committee a council spokesperson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: 'Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to remove the remainder of the windblown area, due to contractor availability, before the summer holidays. 'We are in the process of replacing signage to ask visitors to stay out of the windblown areas of woodland as these can be very dangerous and intend to get the remaining windblown trees cleared post-holiday period.' Storm Eowyn had a significant impact on the woods at Beecraigs with at least 200 trees down over the main paths and tracks and many more over other paths, including the mountain bike routes, and within the woodland compartments. Scottish Woodlands Ltd already had a harvesting contractor working for the council on another site and their contract was extended to allow them to move over to Beecraigs. A harvester, a large machine which cuts trees, was used to clear the fallen trees off all the main paths and car parks, which was safer and quicker than if this had to be done manually. The inhouse Tree and Woodland Operational Team went on to clear the trees across the smaller paths, which were more difficult to access by machine. A report to the local area committee concluded: 'The Beecraigs long-term Forest Plan is due to be updated, which will take some months, and so in the interim a Felling Permission Application has been submitted to Scottish Forestry and it is hoped that they will be able to 'fast track' this to enable further clear up of windblown trees within those compartments in the most popular areas of the park.' Councillor Sally Pattle, who chairs the local area committee told the LDRS: 'There are no paths blocked and no danger to the general public. I think there are no areas, that I as a regular user think I couldn't go. 'They are going to have to go back over a tree management plan because they have lost so many trees. We will have to rework plans.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter . Like this: Like Related
