COMMUNITY use facilities at schools across Fife are set to have their opening times changed, with some closing earlier to save council cash.
Fife councillors were asked to approve a first phase of operational changes to services which will see a standard 9pm weekday closing time introduced across community use schools and halls and centres as well as facilities where staffing is provided.
The move is part of a wider programme of reform as they work to make budget savings.
Paul Vaughan, head of communities and neighbourhood services, told members of Fife Council’s cabinet committee that they were looking to improve efficiency and align provision with demand and support.
“The first phase focuses on standardisation of community use opening and closing times, particularly 9pm closing for community use schools,” he said.
“We are moving to these changes and they will contribute to £2.1m of savings that have been agreed as part of the council budget.
“Staff are aware of this proposal coming forward today and also that there will have to be further engagement with staff in terms of managing change but also with groups who will then be affected by the change of the opening and closing times.”
No redundancies are expected through the changes although changes to staffing patterns and hours may take place.
Mr Vaughan said this will be done alongside consultation with staff and trade unions.
Liberal Democrat councillor James Calder raised concerns about clubs like Dunfermline Reign who currently use the Dunfermline Learning Campus facilities until 10pm.
“With Dunfermline Reign in particular, there is a previous access agreement there,” he said. “Does that meant that will be changed for them and if so, has there been any engagement with them and any other clubs affected so far?”
Mr Vaughan said consultation would be taking place.
“As of yet because this is worked up as a proposal, we are seeking agreement before we went into detail with affected groups and looking at what we can do in terms of allowing them to have the same level of service and the same amount of time,” he said.
“There are very few groups after 9pm that are using any of the venues so there will be discussion around that and what transition arrangements will look.”
SNP councillor Bailey-Lee Robb questioned the lack of involvement with local groups already.
“It very much feels like we are wanting groups to fit into the council policy and not involved in creating the policy,” he said.
Cllr Lynn Bannantyne Wardlaw commented that the booking system at the learning campus in Dunfermline was “pretty much at capacity”.
She added: “I would suggest community engagement is not about engaging after a policy has been agreed but engaging before the policy has been agreed.
“At this point, we do not know if there will be demand during the summer months to using facilities beyond 9pm because we have not asked anybody.”
Mr Vaughan agreed the Dunfermline Learning Campus had been “incredibly successful.”
He added: “All that we are doing is looking at a particular closing time.”
Councillors agreed to progress the plans in principle however after consultation with groups set to be affected by the changes.
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