Dear Councillors,
I am writing to you following the release of the recommendations of the assessment panel in relation to the two bids received for the reuse of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre.
I am deeply concerned that despite a bid which the panel considered to have been widely consulted upon, as having strong support from the community, and as meeting many of the Council's objectives, the bid has been rejected outright on the basis of "possible" financial issues.
I hope that Councillors can see that this bid has sufficient potential and popular support to warrant some further work with the Trust to determine whether these concerns can be resolved. If not, by all means then take a decision to demolish the building but not before.
The case of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre as an exercise in Local Authority Community Engagement has now been covered widely by the media. It has been called a "test case" in whether politicians claims to want to actively engage with communities are real or just vote grabbing spin.
The spotlight is now on you all as our Elected Officials to hear what the community of Bonnyrigg, Lasswade & Poltonhall are saying to you and to do what you can to facilitate it. If you vote on Tuesday in favour of demolishing this building without knowing whether the panel's concerns could be resolved then you will have failed not only this community but the wider community of Midlothian.
Please vote on Tuesday to put the panel's recommendations for demolition on hold until you are absolutely convinced that these possible financial issues cannot be resolved. Please vote to task Council Officers to work with the Trust to provide you with the necessary evidence you require to make a fully informed decision.
Thank you for your time.
Yours sincerely
Louise
I am writing to you following the release of the recommendations of the assessment panel in relation to the two bids received for the reuse of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre.
I am deeply concerned that despite a bid which the panel considered to have been widely consulted upon, as having strong support from the community, and as meeting many of the Council's objectives, the bid has been rejected outright on the basis of "possible" financial issues.
I hope that Councillors can see that this bid has sufficient potential and popular support to warrant some further work with the Trust to determine whether these concerns can be resolved. If not, by all means then take a decision to demolish the building but not before.
The case of Bonnyrigg Leisure Centre as an exercise in Local Authority Community Engagement has now been covered widely by the media. It has been called a "test case" in whether politicians claims to want to actively engage with communities are real or just vote grabbing spin.
The spotlight is now on you all as our Elected Officials to hear what the community of Bonnyrigg, Lasswade & Poltonhall are saying to you and to do what you can to facilitate it. If you vote on Tuesday in favour of demolishing this building without knowing whether the panel's concerns could be resolved then you will have failed not only this community but the wider community of Midlothian.
Please vote on Tuesday to put the panel's recommendations for demolition on hold until you are absolutely convinced that these possible financial issues cannot be resolved. Please vote to task Council Officers to work with the Trust to provide you with the necessary evidence you require to make a fully informed decision.
Thank you for your time.
Yours sincerely
Louise