Extra funding could save doomed outdoor centre
A popular outdoor centre in Oban may yet receive a stay of execution despite having already been given the axe, writes Fiona Scott.
Kilbowie Outdoor Centre is due to shut next year after North Lanarkshire councillors narrowly voted for its closure at a policy and strategy meeting at the beginning of February.
However, supporters of the Save Kilbowie Outdoor Centre (SKOC) group, including North Lanarkshire councillor Greg Lennon, believe the North Lanarkshire Council (NLC)-owned facility could be saved by additional funding coming the authority’s way from the Scottish Government.
Posting on the SKOC Facebook page on Monday, Councillor Lennon said: ‘Great to see the SNP Group agree tonight to call for a special meeting of full council to re-open Kilbowie.
‘We now have further material change due to an additional £3M funds coming to NLC from Scottish Government.’
However, an NLC spokesperson said that any request for a special meeting would be in accordance with the council’s standing orders and that no request as yet had been received.
The authority was also cautious when asked about the additional £3m but did not dismiss a u-turn in respect of Kilbowie.
‘While this additional sum is helpful, it still leaves a significant budget gap for the council to manage.
‘As was agreed on February 24, this sum will be used in the first instance to replenish the £3million from the council’s reserves which was utilised as part of the council budget.
‘There is still some uncertainty around the final shape of the financial settlement to the council. It has not yet been clarified whether this additional sum relates solely to financial year 2020/21 or whether it is recurring in future years.
‘In addition, the UK Government will set its budget on March 11, which may lead to further changes. That being the case, no decisions have been taken in respect of the remainder of the additional money.’
Currently, all primary seven children in North Lanarkshire, about 100 miles from Oban, get the chance to attend the centre every academic year while it also hosts a number of Oban community-based activities at weekends and in the holidays.
Earlier this week Glasgow City Council reversed its decision to close a similar centre at Blairvadach following the Scottish government’s budget deal with the Scottish Green Party, which means an extra £95m will be given to local authorities.