Minutes:
The Committee heard from Alexander Mess, who was involved with various community groups in his local area. Mr Mess advised that as a taxpayer and also representing three various community models, he wanted to speak in regards to the review of leased centres and learning centres.
Mr Mess explained that a lot of work had gone into the report but he had lots of questions regarding the report. He advised that social capital had not been looked at and felt that this was very important. He stated that there had been no increase in existing funding to centres and no cost of living increase. He also explained that he felt it was unfair that volunteers had to apply for grants for the centres.
Mr Mess also highlighted that volunteers carried out a vast amount of tasks within the centres and he urged members to look closely at all of the work that was undertaken and to investigate social capital in order to make centres more successful.
Member asked a number of questions of Mr Mess.
The Committee then heard from Andy Finlayson, who was representing Altens and Cove Community Association (ACCA). Mr Finlayson explained that he was a board member of ACCA and noted his extreme concern regarding the lateness of the report being published. He also stated that this was the third review in the last few years and centres relied on volunteers. He intimated that the amount of reviews had a negative impact on the volunteers. Mr Finlayson suggested that if the report was to be agreed, that centres would close as a result and noted how it was very difficult for centres to get funding from charitable organisations or grants if they were on a short term lease. He informed members that centres needed a ten year lease in order to be successful in getting grants.
Mr Finlayson concluded that the money spent on doing the review would be more than the money saved, and it had caused extreme anxiety with volunteers. Mr Finlayson also questioned why the responses to the questionnaire which was issued to all centres, were not published along with the report.
Member then asked a number of questions of Mr Finlayson.
The Committee then heard from Paul O’Connor, who was representing Inchgarth Community Centre. Mr O’Connor explained that he had been involved with the community centre for 20 years. He advised that he was delighted to hear that after the budget meeting in 2019, there were no cuts to the centres, however a review was to be carried out. Mr O’Connor noted that centres were not told about the review. He also highlighted that leased centres were not managed by the Council and as a result a management agreement should not be in place.
In regard to finance, Mr O’Connor advised that each centre received £11,000 in direct funding from the Council, however if it was not for volunteers running the centres, this cost would be in excess of £500,000.
Mr O’Connor also raised concern at the report being published late, which meant there was no opportunity for centres to meet with their respective teams. He also questioned the lack of consultation with centres in regard to the report.
Finally, Mr O’Connor explained that the Liaison Officer visited the centre once a month and helped to identify if they needed support. He also intimated that the three year lease was unmanageable and should be a minimum of ten years. However, twenty or twenty five years would be more beneficial to centres.
Members then asked a number of questions of Mr O’Connor.
The Convener thanked Mr Mess, Mr Finlayson and Mr O’Connor for their deputations.