THE chair of the leisure trust operating leisure services in Argyll and Bute has expressed hope that council funding will enable all services to continue.
Mairi Coleman was speaking after Argyll and Bute Council rejected a further five per cent cut to liveArgyll’s management fee, and awarded an additional £154,000 of funding.
A report as part of the council’s budget pack had revealed that libraries and leisure facilities across the area were under scrutiny if funding to the trust was cut.
Ahead of the leisure trust’s board meeting this week, Ms Coleman, who became chairman late last year, voiced optimism that services would continue in full.
However, she also stated that a funding shortfall remained ahead of the meeting of the board, which includes three Argyll and Bute Councillors.
A consultation took place among the public and was reported to have received over 6,500 responses, having been extended by a further week before the council set its budget on Wednesday, February 25.
Ms Coleman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We welcome the additional funding provided by the Council in their recent budget announcement.
“The liveArgyll board will be agreeing the next steps at our upcoming meeting on Thursday, March 5. A funding shortfall remains, however as we have done since our inception we will endeavour to protect our frontline services as far as resources allow.
“Without prejudging the outcome of the meeting, I anticipate that we will be discussing and agreeing the continuation of our full service offering including the resumption of Islay Mobile Library and Tiree Library services.
“As per our recent statement, we are realistic about the challenges ahead and want to ensure liveArgyll services are sustainable in the longer term.
“It is our intention to further engage with users and key stakeholders throughout the financial year in respect of service offering and future years delivery models.”
Speaking after the council’s budget decision, Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal), one of the councillors on the board, said: “The council in the budget papers had indicated over a 15 per cent cut to its core funding and asked for liveArgyll to start a consultation on closing the Riverside in Dunoon, Rothesay swimming pool, and other leisure centres, soft play areas, libraries, and halls/museums.
“Over 6,500 responses to the consultation were received and I am pleased to say that this council administration recognise the contribution that leisure services of all kinds make to local life and are providing an extra £154,000 which will allow live argyll to continue with their valued services.”
The other councillors on the liveArgyll board are Councillor Maurice Corry (Lomond North, Conservative) and Councillor Fiona Howard (Labour, Helensburgh Central).
