CEVIC campaigners demand answers
A group who waged a long-running campaign against East Ayrshire Council’s plans to turn a community building into a nursery have got together again.
The Save the CEVIC campaign group have reformed - and they are stepping up their efforts to secure the long-term future of the CEVIC building in Catrine.
In December, the local authority performed a U-turn on their plan to turn the CEVIC into a nursery and announced that they had planned to refurbish the current nursery instead.
The council also stated they had “agreed to proceed”with the acquisition of the CEVIC from the cash-troubled trust, as“previously agreed”in August 2019.
Expressions of interest were to be submitted by March 31, 2021. In March, the Save the CEVIC group announced its intention to wind down its campaign. Three months on and the group have reformed to try to establish exactly what the position with the CEVIC is now.
A spokesperson for the group said: “The community is still completely in the dark about what is happening.”
It is understood that in April, community consultations were held by EAC Vibrant Communities to see if any other group might express an interest in taking the CEVIC building on via a community asset transfer.
However, the campaigners say the position remains“unclear”and “unknown.”
The spokesperson said:“On May 21, 2021, we wrote to everyone asking for a “Position Statement”from each of the parties involved. We still await formal responses. So has the CEVIC been sold? We don’t know. It’s all as clear as mud.
“So Catrine’s Community Campaign has reopened in earnest, will continue to question and hold the parties involved to task and still has the support of the wider community. We want options and/or solutions that the whole of Catrine community can consider and get behind. We still want answers. And a plan.”
Eddie Fraser, chief executive of East Ayrshire Council, said:“I have advised the Catrine Community Campaign group that I will be meeting with colleagues in early course to review the current situation and discuss and agree the next steps in terms of the next update report to cabinet relative to the CEVIC.
“All views and representations received through the recent consultation will be taken into consideration, and reported on.
“The council and the CCT continue to progress the transfer of the CEVIC, and other associated subjects, and this should be completed very soon.
“The campaign group’s recent suggestion that the council should not proceed with the deal in order to force CCT into insolvency is noted, but is not likely to form part of any recommended further actions, although it will be included within the next report to cabinet for completeness.
“Going forward, the council will provide appropriate further updates to all relevant parties as and when there may be anything meaningful to report.”