“Following West Lothian Council’s announcement of their plans to have the Managing Committees of Community Centres take on ownership and responsibility of the buildings, I wrote to West Lothian Council to share my concerns.
“I have been contacted by local Management Committees following this announcement from West Lothian Council who share my concerns.
“While Community Asset Transfers can be positive when they are proactively sought on an individual and voluntary basis by local communities, I am concerned that by wholesale off-loading responsibility and costs on to community volunteers, the Council are placing a serious burden of responsibility and risk on a small number of volunteers who have varying levels of experience and expertise. Giving this responsibility to the Management Committees, who may struggle with the financial commitment required to keep the community centres open is not responsible and will risk the future stability of the centres.
“I have received a response from West Lothian Council are providing support to Management Committees where possible through this process, however, these venues are vital to communities across my Constituency and I would urge West Lothian Council to rethink this decision.”
ENDS