By Stuart Sommerville
Copyright dailyrecord
West Lothian Council may struggle to make savings in its school community wings. In January the 12 schools were controversially included in the £1m savings plan built around community centres. But as plans to standardise management are finalised and set to go before councillors early next month a senior council officer told councillors “It won’t be a one size fits all.” Only seven of the 12 community wings – located in primary schools around the county – have management committees which were asked chose one of two options for the future. Four preferred a recharge option of a new lease, one chose the option to have the school manage the wing, one is undecided and one more has yet to formally respond but has indicated the school management option. In an update to the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP Ralph Bell, Customer and Community Service Manager said: “The operating arrangements for school community wings vary from location to location and in many cases those arrangements are historic, outdated and in some cases undocumented. “Those inconsistencies and the lack of suitable reference documentation has resulted in a range of operational issues (health and safety, financial and curriculum related) and in some instances this has given rise to ongoing tensions between community groups and those responsible for the safe operation of the school.” SNP group councillor Lynda Kenna asked: “Only seven wings have responded, If they do not respond or interact does that mean management reverts to council ownership? Mr Bell said: “That’s not necessarily the case. The seven have management committees operating. In the rest if you want to book you have to come through education. “All seven are unique. All have their own complexities, whether that’s from access or how they are run internally.” Mr Bell conceded: “It won’t be a one size fits all. The intention of this engagement is to find a solution that meets the needs of school, education and the community.” The way the use of school wings has developed historically has made the problem of finding savings all the more complex. Adding to the difficulty the process has to involve council staff across three departments, customer services, education and property services. Mr Bell’s report to the committee outlined a projected time-line of implementing changes, starting in December and running through until August next year. A spokesperson for the council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “A recommendation will be included in the report which is to be presented to councillors in October. “Until elected members consider that report and agree an approach we cannot confirm the details of how the savings will be delivered.” Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
