MANY people will be shocked that councillors are merely being asked to “note” an £800k bung going to a £2.5 million indoor climbing project in Lochgelly because it “improves leisure and sport”.

Three questions leap to mind. First, how can this be justified at a time when opening hours at Council leisure centres and swimming pools in the local area, as well as across Fife are being slashed?

Huge amounts of public money are being used to kit out a building for a private provider who caters for a niche sport which Fifers will have to pay dearly to participate in.

Second, only a mile or so up the road Fife Council spent £2.4 million on a cycle track a couple of years ago.

The track’s business case was a work of fiction, and since it has been operational, attendance figures and opening hours have been very poor. What guarantees do the public have that Rockgelly isn’t just another trophy development which will turn out to be a costly white elephant?

Third, the Rockgelly project has been afflicted by various problems, which have delayed it inordinately since it began six years ago and made it ever more expensive. Where is the public scrutiny of these problems, and have any lessons been learned?

Since the £800k isn’t a decision for councillors, I’m not sure it can even be referred to Fife Council’s Scrutiny Committee. However, this together with the cycle track, are projects which are ripe for a Scrutiny Committee investigation.

Ultimately Fifers need to know that these are not vanity projects, but that they deliver the best value for money when it comes to addressing the needs of multiply deprived communities in Central Fife.

COUNCILLOR LINDA HOLT,

Creel House,

Pittenweem.