MSP is playing for extra time
Athletics clubs in North Lanarkshire should be given more time to prepare a business case for their use of the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility.
That is the call from politicians after a pause was put on plans to cut space given to athletics groups at the site to make space for more gymnastics equipment.
North Lanarkshire Leisure agreed to hold a two-week consultation into the plans at a meeting with Scottish Athletics last week.
But MSP Graham Simpson believes that’s not long enough for groups to prepare their defence.
Mr Simpson, who recently held a meeting with athletics clubs and Scottish Athletics, said: “It’s good that there is finally to be a consultation but in order for it to be meaningful it needs to be longer than two weeks.
“It feels very rushed and has all the hallmarks of a tick-box exercise. Clubs needs to be given longer to prepare a robust case for continued use of the centre.
“The Scottish Government also needs to think about how important they rate athletics and decide how they can support clubs to use scarce facilities, such as Ravenscraig.”
North Lanarkshire councillor Meghan Gallacher thinks it is “unacceptable” athletic groups are being forced to compete against other sports for use of the Ravenscraig facility.
“Whilst I am pleased that a consultation has been agreed, it needs to be longer than two weeks to allow all sporting groups to have their say,” she said.
“Taking part in sporting activities is important for people’s health and well-being.”
Emma Walker, managing director of North Lanarkshire Leisure, said a full consultation with all relevant stakeholders was “already planned” and will go ahead in the coming weeks.
She added: “The consultation will give athletics clubs and all other users of the space the opportunity to formally make their views known before any decisions are made.
“We will also consult with bodies including Scottish Athletics and sportscotland.
“The report from that consultation will be presented to the board to inform decisions about the space allocation at Ravenscraig.” NHS Lanarkshire is inviting patients and carers to take part in a group to discuss the future service model for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT).
SACT is a term used to describe all medicines given for the treatment of cancer.
Chemotherapy and biological therapy are two examples of SACT routinely used to treat cancer.
Lynn Mack, Macmillan cancer improvement programme manager, said: “We are working with the West of Scotland Cancer Network to organise a focus group which will give people the opportunity to give their feedback.
“This will allow us to learn from their experiences, and to find out what really matters to them, which will help ensure all patients and carers have the best possible care experience.”
The group will meet on Wednesday, February 14, from 2pm to 3.30pm, in Maggie’s Lanarkshire at University Hospital Monklands.
The West of Scotland Cancer Network is looking for approximately eight to 10 participants to attend the group.
People will have the chance to share their opinions of the emerging service model for SACT.