Why did we not know?
A Coltness councillor has questioned why elected members were left in the dark by the council and not told of the proposed demolition.
Murdostoun SNP councillor Cameron Mcmanus hit out at the decision and questioned NLC assistant chief executive Robert Steenson over the impending demolition.
Councillor Mcmanus said:“i asked who made the decision, why was it not put through the council’s infrastructure committee and why was asset transfer to the Coltness Community Council overlooked?
“I have met a lot of people who have been left angered by this.
“This is theyear ofyoung People so it’s not exactly great to learn the council are happy to bulldoze a facility which could have been used to give them something to do.
“It’s a bit of a kick in the teeth, especially when you consider what has happened in this area over the past few months.”
In response to Councillor Mcmanus’enquiries, Mr Steenson said the council had received two commercial bids and one community interest bid for the centre but the matter was deferred until November last year when the community interest was not pursued.
Mr Steenson added:“the Infrastructure committee on November 8 considered the sale of the property and approved the sale thereof to one of the commercial bidders, with the other commercial bid to be held in reserve.
“The preferred bidder withdrew towards the end of November 2017 having failed to secure the necessary funds to acquire the building and get a children’s nursery set up.
“The reserve bidder was then approached but intimated in early January 2018 that he did not wish to acquire the property.
“With both commercial bids failing, the property was identified for possible demolition in order to save ongoing revenue costs, notably property rates.”
Central Scotland Conservative MSP Graham Simpson visited the boardedup centre last year and threw his weight behind plans for a boxing club and gym to be housed there.
The MSP said:“last year I backed plans to turn the disused former Coltness Community Centre into a boxing club for the local community.
“This ambitious plan had the backing of local residents, with over 1,000 people signing up to support the new club.
“There was a real community spirit behind the project.
“I am extremely concerned by North Lanarkshire Council’s decision to demolish the centre after a sale fell through.
“They should have allowed the community another chance to put together a viable bid to take it over and turn it into a centre which would have benefited everyone.
“There is a lot of anger within the community about this due to the clear public support for the boxing club.
“I hope that North Lanarkshire Council see sense and support this opportunity to establish a vital amenity for the local community.”