Talks aim to resolve row over nursery and warm space clash
Politicians have parachuted in to resolve a long-running dispute at Soroba Community Centre, over whether a room can be used as a nursery or a warm space.
The former council flat on Scalpay Terrace, Oban, has a room shared by two tenants.
Soroba Young Family Group (SYFG), a day care centre for babies up to children aged five, wants to use the room as a nursery, while Soroba Community Enterprise (SCE) wants to use it as a warm space and has been awarded funding to do so.
The argument boiled over last week, when parents and carers of SYFG circulated a letter saying SCE was “insisting they will be accessing our children’s safe space from 1pm on Monday 13 March. For safeguarding reasons, our nursery cannot operate as a shared space.”
SYFG said allowing another group access at the same time would reduce spaces for two-year-olds, staff, and wrap-around care for children, which “allows many of our parents to work”.
“At a time when our families are really struggling financially, a change in nursery provision is going to have a huge adverse effect,” SYFG added.
“We are fully supportive of the Warm Space Initiative being run by SCE. If the space was open after nursery provision has ended our community would be able to benefit from continued high quality nursery provision, and a warm space in the late afternoon.”
SCE’s chairperson, Marri Malloy, said: “SYFG have a large dedicated nursery next door. SCE have only the community centre to use for the benefit of Soroba residents.
“The community centre has a larger hall which both groups have access to, and to be fair to both groups, the larger hall would be available to SYFG, which would mean both groups could use the premises at the same time.
“SCE are only asking for the use of the small hall from 1pm onwards to set up as a warm space, to reduce social isolation and to help in the current cost of living crisis.
“This issue has not been resolved since May, which is causing both groups great concern, as ACHA has indicated if no agreement is reached, they could take the community centre back from both groups. This would be devastating to both.
“It would be wonderful if we could work together as we would be working across the generations. We wish SYFG all the very best, as they provide a necessary service, just as SCE want to do the same for the elderly and vulnerable.”
Michelle Mundie, chief executive of the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA), said: “ACHA is the landlord of the property. Both organisations have a joint tenancy of the premises and this has made for a complicated situation which we are all keen to resolve.”
Argyll and Bute’s MSP Jenni Minto said: “I was contacted by a number of concerned parents and immediately raised the matter with both ACHA and Argyll and Bute Council. I am now working to bring everyone around the table to work together to find an appropriate resolution.”
Oban North and Lorn councillor Luna Martin said on Monday: “I have agreed to take on the role of an impartial mediator. Following constructive dialogue with both parties and ACHA, I remain optimistic that we can achieve a resolution that satisfies all concerned.”