Demolish, or give residents a reuse consultation? Tomorrow eighteen Midlothian Councillors will decide.
The people have spoken: 91% say Consult.
The Council advisers have spoken. They say pause and consult.
Now our Councillors will decide.
Can they say no in the face of this kind of support and advice:
"The future of the Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre... has the potential to mutual benefit the community and the Council." (Official Midlothian Council Report p.7)
Here is a short summary of advice to the Councillors:
The community are concerned about demolition of the building.
Demolition of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre needs the permission of Fields in Trust. Fields in Trust have said they want the community to have a further 12 months to find a reuse. Two proposals have been received from the ‘Bonnyrigg and Sherwood Development Trust/ Midlothian Fitness Academy’ and the ‘Bonnyrigg Centre Initiative’ to retain the whole building.
Two options are possible
1. Seek consent from the Fields in Trust to demolish the building immediately.
or
2. Delay demolition and further engage with Fields in Trust and the community.
Implications
Cost of mothballing for 12 months aprox £82,000. Retention for a six month period cannot be avoided
Benefits to Council
Summary
The future of the Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre, particularly if sustainably transferred into community control, has the potential to mutual benefit the community and the Council.
Recommendations
Council are asked to extend the timescales until December Council and agree £41,000 to fund the cost for 6 months.
The decision will be based on 13th August 2013.
Our reaction:
We, the Bonnyrigg Centre Initiative, are excited Council officials are now recommending a reuse consultation. 91% of residents surveyed agree. We hope our Councillors will reflect the will of the people. If agreed, it will give space for every resident and group, small and large, to find a place in its future and hopefully save it from demolition.
We believe that many Bonnyrigg residents are passionate about growing community and would love the chance to turn the whole centre into a community hub owned by the community for the community, supported by substantial Play Centre income.
A call to action:
Please copy and paste the following email addresses tonight and send them a single sentence saying "Please agree to the December extension for Bonnyrigg Leisure centre." If you want to write a few sentences explaining how it would benefit you or someone you know that would be a bonus. But it will remind them that you are watching.
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
The people have spoken: 91% say Consult.
The Council advisers have spoken. They say pause and consult.
Now our Councillors will decide.
Can they say no in the face of this kind of support and advice:
"The future of the Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre... has the potential to mutual benefit the community and the Council." (Official Midlothian Council Report p.7)
Here is a short summary of advice to the Councillors:
The community are concerned about demolition of the building.
Demolition of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre needs the permission of Fields in Trust. Fields in Trust have said they want the community to have a further 12 months to find a reuse. Two proposals have been received from the ‘Bonnyrigg and Sherwood Development Trust/ Midlothian Fitness Academy’ and the ‘Bonnyrigg Centre Initiative’ to retain the whole building.
Two options are possible
1. Seek consent from the Fields in Trust to demolish the building immediately.
or
2. Delay demolition and further engage with Fields in Trust and the community.
Implications
Cost of mothballing for 12 months aprox £82,000. Retention for a six month period cannot be avoided
- Risks to Council if they seek to demolish immediately:
- Risk it will impact the credibility of the Council
- Risk being accused of acting unreasonably
- Risk Fields in Trust might delay decision making
- Risk Fields in Trust would refuse to grant consent preventing the Council from demolishing.
- Risk that the Council will have to fund this property for an open ended period
Benefits to Council
- Agreeing to delay and transfer of ownership could:
- Minimise Council liability.
- Assist local communities to become more resilient
- Gain access to external funding not available to local authorities
- Safeguarding local facilities
- Engage with parents/volunteers in the community
- Positive engagement with communities.
Summary
The future of the Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre, particularly if sustainably transferred into community control, has the potential to mutual benefit the community and the Council.
Recommendations
Council are asked to extend the timescales until December Council and agree £41,000 to fund the cost for 6 months.
The decision will be based on 13th August 2013.
Our reaction:
We, the Bonnyrigg Centre Initiative, are excited Council officials are now recommending a reuse consultation. 91% of residents surveyed agree. We hope our Councillors will reflect the will of the people. If agreed, it will give space for every resident and group, small and large, to find a place in its future and hopefully save it from demolition.
We believe that many Bonnyrigg residents are passionate about growing community and would love the chance to turn the whole centre into a community hub owned by the community for the community, supported by substantial Play Centre income.
A call to action:
Please copy and paste the following email addresses tonight and send them a single sentence saying "Please agree to the December extension for Bonnyrigg Leisure centre." If you want to write a few sentences explaining how it would benefit you or someone you know that would be a bonus. But it will remind them that you are watching.
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]