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The SNP Group have failed to stop a Labour/Conservative proposal, supported by the Lib Dems, to instigate a process to hand over Leisure and Cultural Services to a Trust.
SNP Group Leader Ian Mackay said: "The only advantage in this proposal is that a Trust will not pay non-domestic rates for its buildings but that relief could change at anytime and in the current economic climate it will be very tempting for a Westminster government to cancel it"
He continued: "You only have to look at the debacle of the other Trusts in East Dunbartonshire. Both the Kirkintilloch Initiative and the Lennoxtown Initiative owe the council £millions and the East Dunbartonshire Town Centre Management Company has gone to the wall, not to mention the problems surrounding recent PPP contracts. All reduced to dust by changing economic conditions and changing treasury rules.
"It is likely to take 18 months to create the organisation during which time there will by significant set up costs and it is only after the Trust is set up and established potential savings could kick in.
"With the current budget problems in the next two years is this the time to spend these significant sums for an uncertain gain in the future? I don't think so."
"Although we are assured there will be councillors and trade union representatives on the board, as a board member, their first responsibility is to the Trust and not the Council or workforce.
"Effectively, public and council control will be lost and transferred council staff's pay and conditions could be put at risk. There will be nothing we can do about it."
"There is nothing a Trust can do that the Council cannot in terms of developing Leisure and Cultural services in East Dunbartonshire - indeed, the Council has much more flexibility in changing its priorities. This was another disastrous, short-sighted decision from our hapless Administration."
Author : Cllr Ian Mackay
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