Council savings proposed

Perth and Kinross Council want to provide a licence and lease to Live Active Leisure (LAL) to run two sporting venues in a bid to save money.

The leisure body currently operate the swimming pool at Breadalbane Academy Community Campus in Aberfeldy, on behalf of the council, and also have a management responsibility for the George Duncan Athletics Arena at Perth Grammar School.

However, by granting the licence and lease to LAL the local authority claim they would save around £40,000 due to the ceasing of non-domestic rates charges attributable to these facilities.

A paper approved by Sheena Devlin, executive director of education and children’s services with Perth and Kinross Council, states the savings would be made due to LAL being a charitable organisation, and, as a result, receiving 100% rates relief.

“The licencing/leasing of these buildings to LAL will achieve best value in using public resources to deliver community benefits through non-domestic rates relief,” her report says.

“It is considered that in this case wider community benefits would be achieved by licensing/ leasing the buildings to LAL. Under these circumstances the council can transfer buildings for nil or nominal rent.”

The matter will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s property sub-committee on Monday.