Anger over centre demolition motion
A Wishaw councillor has joined a chorus of disapproval after a motion to prevent the demolition of buildings at Kilbowie Outdoor Centre was blocked.
Councillor Jim Hume has backed North Lanarkshire councillors Kirsten Larson and Allan Stubbs who have accused Provost Jean Jones of using her position to block attempts by the opposition to “overturn unpopular decisions”.
The SNP councillors proposed that no work be undertaken to demolish the buildings or dispose of the land at the learning centre for a period of two years – after the next council elections.
The motion was blocked under the “six-month rule” which prevents decisions being revisited within that timescale.
Councillor Hume, who represents the Wishaw ward, has claimed the importance of outdoor learning experiences for children has been heightened by the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “Kilbowie is an important resource for local school children particularly in some deprived areas in Wishaw, where it might be the only chance for kids to get away for a week.
“When it was proposed to close it as a budget option last year, parents, teachers and kids themselves fought the biggest campaign seen by councillors in years. If councillors are not there to listen to local people, what are they there for?
“Unfortunately Labour and Tory councillors voted together to close it.
“It may be even more important for kids to get a chance at this organised outdoor experience than it was before.
“Unfortunately the Labour Provost did not even allow us to present this as an option.”
Councillor Stubbs accused the Provost of “blocking democracy” and called for her to “put the interests of the people first” and allow the motion to be debated at the next council meeting.
“There is no doubt in my mind that there are a majority of councillors, and certainly a majority of residents, in North Lanarkshire who want to see Kilbowie saved.”
He said: “This motion simply puts off the decision to a later date, but is being blocked by one councillor in support of her own party’s position to abolish outdoor learning.
“No Provost in the history of North Lanarkshire has used the ‘six-month rule’ as often.”
Councillor Larson said there was “no excuse” for making the decision to demolish the buildings.
She added: “Even if the sixmonth rule would ordinarily apply, there can be no doubting that the coronavirus crisis changes everything so material changes of circumstances do apply.
“We are not asking for the centre to be reopened at this stage – as much as that would be preferable we have to accept the council is in a difficult financial position.”
The councillors have challenged the decision which they claim would make it impossible for a future administration to reopen the centre.
North Lanarkshire Council leader Jim Logue hit back at what he called an “appalling attack” on the Provost.
He said: “This is the most appalling attack on an elected Provost that I have seen in my 40 years in politics.
“Yet again, the SNP in North Lanarkshire are playing partisan personal politics to distract from their own government’s failings in Edinburgh.
“Instead of joining our calls for the SNP government to provide fairer funding for councils to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, they’re trying to undermine the integrity of our Provost, who has followed the standing orders agreed upon by all 77 councillors without fear or favour.
“We understand the deep sense of attachment that many feel about Kilbowie in our communities, but it is clearer now than ever that the share-based facilities which are part of the experience are now no longer fit for purpose for the post-Covid world we’re set to live in.
“As I’ve stated before, the Kilbowie buildings may be going, but our commitment to an invaluable outdoor learning experience for our young people will remain.”