THE future role of local community centres and libraries will come under scrutiny in a new consultation launched this week.
Under-threat facilities, which included Largs Library, are set to be thrown a lifeline after playing key roles in the community effort during the coronavirus pandemic.
Council chief Joe Cullinane this week revealed there will be no cuts to this type of facility as finance bosses decide on the upcoming budget.
He said: “There is no talk in this year’s budget of community centres, libraries or hubs closing because we value the role that they have played in the pandemic. We are now looking at how the community can be involved in future decision making.
“A working group and a set of recommendations had already gone out to public consultation before the pandemic hit, but the picture has now changed.
“There will be a fresh consultation launching at the end of this week which will determine how the community hub model can be embedded going forward on how we can improve what we can offer to our community through these hubs and bespoke hubs.
“There will be the opportunity for community groups to take on some of these assets but we want to learn the lessons of community hubs and taking it as a different model, without putting any budgetary figures or pressures on the situation.”
“We want a meaningful consultation with our communities going forward.”
Largs Library played an important role as a community hub during the pandemic, arranging food parcels and directing people to various support groups.
There were proposals to move the facility into the Vikingar!, which sparked a Save our Library campaign, led by the Largs Writers’ Group.
Fairlie Village Hall and library, Skelmorlie Community Centre and West Kilbride Library were among other facilities set to be released by the council to community groups.
The council says the u-turn will mean local residents have a voice in how libraries, community centres and halls deliver their services in a post-Covid world.
Cabinet Member for Participatory Democracy, Councillor Louise McPhater, said: “It’s become very clear that we are have to take on board the lessons learned during the pandemic to ensure we have services which fit the needs of our communities.
“Throughout lockdown, we worked hand-in-hand with local residents through our community hubs to offer help and support where it was needed.
“That’s why we’ll be continuing this partnership working in this latest phase of our consultation, giving the residents a prominent role in how the services are shaped.”
The review concerns the following buildings: Brisbane Centre, Fairlie Library, Fairlie Village Hall – community owned, Garrison House – community Owned – Cumbrae Development Company (Cumbrae Community Development Company), Largs Library, Skelmorlie Community Centre – Community Owned, Skelmorlie Library, West Kilbride Community Centre and West Kilbride Library
Article originally appeared on Largs and Millport Weekly News
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