A STRATEGY geared to maximising local Fife Council assets in the Cowdenbeath area was withdrawn for more information to be obtained before any decision is taken by councillors.

Cowdenbeath Area Committee was to have made a decision on what option would be best suited to getting the best value for money out of assets such as community facilites, libraries and other local authority owned buildings.

The report produced by the head of Asset and Facilities Management Services with the assets under review being community assets such as schools, libraries, local offices, customer service centres, halls and centres.

The report did look at the facilities in each of the communities in the Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area and indicated that while it was possible to deliver savings by co-locating services, greater savings can be potentially made by integrating service delivery and making some more ambitious chances as to how the council delivers services from community buildings.

It was pointed out in the report that both Cowdenbeath and Kelty will be receiving new community facilities in the near future, but before the matter was considered Lochgelly and Cardenden councillor Linda Erskine moved that the item be referred back.

She said, “There are many very crucial points in this report that could have a major bearing on our communities.

“At this stage I just do not think there is enough information available to make such crucial decisions which could have a major impact.

“I would ask that this be referred back for the extra information to be supplied to allow us to properly consider all the points made in this extensive report.” The motion was unanimously agreed by the area committee.