We made mistakes, admits leader

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 22 Dec 2011 08:00 3 Comments

COUNCIL leader Sam Ovens has admitted mistakes were made during the controversial decision to cull council properties in Tillicoultry.

The Labour councillor made the admission during Thursday's full council meeting.

The administration had been criticised by residents in the Hillfoots town after the council moved to close community facilities before consulting them.

Rev Ovens said, "There is an obligation for all local authorities to do an asset management plan. Did we make mistakes? Yes, we did make mistakes. Did the public respond? Yes, they did."

In February the council agreed a rationalisation programme in Tillicoultry earmarking the community centre and library for closure and increasing community use of the primary school.

Residents reacted angrily and formed an action group to save the facilities, supported by local SNP and Lib Dem councillors.

Plans to close the Hillfoots Family Centre, based in the town, were also made in line with a change in approach to early years family services - something that Labour councillor Janet Cadenhead was keen to point out during the meeting.

She said, "We were closing the family centre for different reasons that were not asset management related. But once that happened we had something there that could be used for a hub.

"What is happening in Tillicoultry is an enhancement of what they had.

"The community centre was a run down building - the hub is a better facility - and whether it is a success is down to the community and what grows from it and I wish them well."

In June the council mooted converting the former family centre into a community hub and plans were approved by council in principal.

The hub will contain a new modern library and CAP with an information and service point, a youth space for young people's activities, and a meeting space for the toddlers group, young mums group and baby group/baby massage, meeting rooms and an IT suite.

Central Scotland Police has also agreed to share the building, using the upstairs space as an office. NHS health visitors are also keen to explore the possibility of providing services in the hub.

A consultation exercise took place and councillors noted the findings last week.

Last week officers recommended approving the conversion of the family centre, at a cost of £400,000, and £150,000 of works to change the present library into three social houses.

A further £150,000 will be invested in enhancing the nursery and improving Firpark ski centre.

Rev Ovens said, "The majority of the people consulted are in agreement. We have learned lessons here. There is an overwhelming support from the community that this is the way forward. It is a necessary part of the asset management plan to enhance the services in Tillicoultry."

SNP group leader Gary Womersley said he was going abstain from voting as he described the original decision as "tainted".

He said, "I'm glad lessons have been learned. This side of the table (the SNP) accepts there may have to be a rationalisation of facilities and that there is a difference between services and the facilities used to provide them. But the reality is the decision made to close them limited the services available at that time."

He added that while the majority of residents consulted backed plans for a hub he believed it was due to a reasoning of "it's better having something than nothing".

Fellow nationalist Donald Balsillie disagreed that the library be converted into housing and thought the police would be better suited there than the hub. While a visibly angry councillor Walter McAdam called the consultation a "joke" and voted against the recommendation.

All other SNP councillors, joined by Lib Dem councillor John Biggam, abstained from voting.

Labour councillors and Tory councillor Alastair Campbell passed the recommendations.

The Tillicoultry Community Action Group welcomed the news and thanked the support of Clackmannanshire and Dunblane MSP Keith Brown and councillor Donald Balsillie during the campaign to save the facilities.

Group chairperson Bill Nicholls said, "Thursday's decision by the council to reinstate public services and provide accommodation for the users of the community centre was a great reward for the campaigning efforts of this community and the Community Action Group.

Our campaign attracted support from right across the community. Groups, individuals, churches and existing organisations all came together because the council proposed to impose outcomes that they had not discussed with the community and we were not about to stand for that. This just shows what a united community can achieve.

"There won't be a better Christmas present than this one."

The council intends to consult on 'settlement plans' examining how it can provide services from fewer buildings in every community in Clackmannanshire with Tullibody next on the agenda.

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This article appeared in Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser 21 Dec 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  AlloaYankee
  Unregistered User
  Dec 22, 20:48
  Report comment

  Well done Sam Ovens. It takes a big man to admit his mistake.
  
  Let's hope the other councillor's have the bravery to do the same.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 0

• 

  Granny23
  4 posts
  Dec 23, 16:40
  Report comment

  And an even bigger one not to make mistakes in the first place.
  
  We have heard about the much vaunted 'experience' of the Labour Councillors but have seen precious little evidence of it in action. Seems as if they leave everything to their paid officials, without overseeing their work and then use them as convenient scapegoats when things go wrong. The Labour motto in Alloa seems to be 'Ah didnae ken'.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 1

• 

  w_macallum
  Unregistered User
  Dec 24, 12:01
  Report comment

  that lot seem to stumble from 'mistake to mistake'. Theyre 'consultation' exercises normally extend as far as presenting the public with a fait acomplis ie decisions have been taken then presented to the public under a guise of 'consulting'. Dreadful behaviour from them. Never mind folks, theres a chance to show what you really think of them coming up in May next year.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 1     No 1

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