Campaigners in Mill o’ Mains say they are to complain to Scotland”s public services watchdog over the council’s refusal to build a temporary replacement for a community pavilion destroyed by fire.
They say the authority reneged on a promise to build a temporary structure which they claim was agreed in June and will lodge a formal complaint with the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman over handling of the matter.
The SNP administration maintains they only agreed to carry out an options appraisal to see whether building a temporary structure would offer value for money.
Instead, councillors have approved a report that will see the community group use existing facilities such as a local sheltered housing complex and the Finmill Centre in Fintry until an extension to Mill o’ Mains primary school is completed.
An ill-tempered clash between councillors in Dundee City Chambers saw North East SNP councillor Steven Rome accuse campaigners of indulging in “character assassination”.
Lord Provost Ian Borthwick eventually stepped in and said the fractious debate had descended into a “rammy” and was a “sad reflection” on the city.
Mill o’ Mains residents are now looking at the possibility of buying the land on which the original pavilion was situated and fundraising to provide a replacement temporary building themselves.
Mill o’ Mains activist Jim Malone said: “After a meeting at which administration councillors, supported by independents, rejected the pleas of the Mill o’ Mains community and overturned their previous commitment to provide a temporary facility for the estate, the community has renewed its commitment to fight for a bespoke facility.
“The community will now make an official complaint to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman about the conduct of Dundee City Council and pursue the option of buying or leasing the land that sited the pavilion and raise funds for a facility in Mill o’ Mains.”
He added: “We will now seriously consider if it is possible to begin community fundraising to provide a new temporary building ourselves.”
In a report to councillors, director of neighbourhood services Elaine Zwirlein recommended existing buildings continue to be used until a £1.5 million extension to Mill of Mains Primary School is complete.
In June, the neighbourhood services committee agreed that council officers should prepare a report on the costs and other implications of building a temporary replacement for the pavilion.
Yvonne Mullen, chairwoman of the Mill o’ Mains Pavilion Group, said: “I am disgusted at the decision taken by councillors.
“The people of Mill o’ Mains are being ignored and forgotten.”
