DESPITE the recent and very public dispute between the local community and Fife Council representatives over the proposed replacement of the centre at Lochore Meadows, you would have thought the local authority have now ensured proper consultation in future projects.

In fact this was actually promised by the councillors responding to the public outcry. However, it would seem these lessons still need to be learned by representatives serving on Cowdenbeath Area Committee at their recent meeting.

In a report the Committee has given its backing to a plan that would see a Mining Heritage Centre created in Lochgelly and “unanimously backed a motion to welcome the Happyland Mining Heritage Centre being built following a decision by the local authority’s administration to invest £200,000 in the project.”

Of course the Lochgelly Heritage Group should be congratulated in obtaining support to celebrate the coal connection Fife enjoys and this is surely down to the efforts of local individuals and other groups in the Cowdenbeath area over the years and as such I welcome the investment.

However, there is an obvious problem with the decision and that issue is tied directly with Lochore Meadows itself as over the years work and discussions have taken place to site a Mining Heritage project close to the Mary Pit winding gear within the park. Now I can understand that no final decision was ever taken to progress the Meadows plan previously, but discussions took place over many months and even years to achieve that outcome and Fife Council representatives were part of that process.

So here we have it, another decision affecting Lochore Meadows without proper consultation. The report goes on to state “ The project is to be managed by the Lochgelly Heritage Sub Group of the town’s Development Forum and in partnership of other Heritage Groups in Cardenden, Benarty, Lumphinnans, Kelty and Cowdenbeath.” even though it is reported to me no such consultation has taken place, at least not with all of them.

The really worrying issue for me is that the report itself admits the decision has been taken before consultation has been completed as it states more discussions have yet to take place. It appears the Cowdenbeath Committee award money first then ask questions later. I would have thought the starting point for those discussions would be to consider the previous plans and people who have knowledge of them, or at the very least to meet with all the heritage groups. Maybe this is a step too far though.

Questions need to be asked of the people who are supposed to be representing the communities involved and they need to be more professional in approach, especially when it involves large sums of our money, because frankly it looks like they are out of touch with what is happening and have no planning or consultative skills.

LIAM,

Lochgelly.