Councillor demands answers on ‘double standards’ for asset transfers at parks
A councillor is demanding answers after suggesting there are two rules on asset transfers - one for Paisley and another for the villages.
For five years Renfrewshire Council has been encouraging groups to take over the running of civic buildings under community asset transfers.
But Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood, and Lochwinnoch, is claiming there are double standards.
And he says three people have shown an interest in taking over the pavilion in Kilbarchan Public Park, but been told they cannot.
He said: “Over the last five years the council has been actively trying to promote community groups taking over the many village pavilions in local parks, such as in Kilbarchan and a great many villages across Renfrewshire.
“I am very much in favour of this approach but I want the council to clarify that there are not double standards operating here where some are bona fide businesses and some are not.
“For example, we have occasionally visited Wheatley’s Café in the old Barshaw Park pavilion, which is clearly a bona fide business with full time staff.
“Yet in the last year I have had no less than three individuals seeking to take over the former pavilion in Kilbarchan Public Park.
“The advice from council officers is that only community groups can asset transfer”.
The independent councillor added: “Let me make this clear, if there is an appetite for community groups to asset transfer a pavilion then fantastic.
“But why is it that a former pavilion in Paisley is being allowed to operate essentially as a business while I know of three people with business plans for Kilbarchan Pavilion who have been told they cannot run the pavilion as a business, it has to be a community group?
“Fair play to Wheatley’s in Barshaw Park, and all power to their elbow.
“But I am certain that there is no current appetite in Kilbarchan for an asset transfer by a community group of the former pavilion, yet up to three individuals, some with a long established CV in the catering trade, are being turned away.
“I am demanding answers here as to why Kilbarchan and the villages have a different policy from Paisley on this.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: ““Community asset transfers are covered by national legislation – which sets out that only community or voluntary groups are eligible to apply to take ownership of community assets.
“The café at Barshaw Park has never been transferred – the building remains owned by the council and is currently being leased out on commercial terms.
“For a similar arrangement to happen elsewhere, the building would need to be declared surplus to council requirements, then put on the market.”
I am demanding answers as to why Kilbarchan and the villages have a different policy from Paisley