One of the region’s leading councillors has resigned from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust (FSLT) after accusing the board of trying to force the closure of one of the area’s main sports facilities.
Labour councillor Neil Crooks, convener of Kirkcaldy area committee, said he could no longer sit by and let the trust continue with what he claims is its “active mandate” to close the Beacon Leisure Centre in Burntisland.
Mr Crooks said the Beacon is facing “death by a thousand cuts” after the trust’s lodged fresh proposals to further reduce its operating hours.
The FSLT cut opening times at the Beacon hours two years ago, but in January 2019 had its proposal for full closure rejected by Fife Council.
It eventually came to an agreement with the local authority which secured the future of the Beacon for the next three years.
Now Mr Crooks has accused the Trust of breaking that deal after the it lodged fresh proposals late last year for further cuts to operating hours.
The councillor said he will oppose any attempts to further undermine the Beacon’s existence or the future of its 60 full and part-time employees.
He added: “The Trust’s stance is wholly unacceptable and blatantly fly’s in the face of an agreement to secure the Beacon’s future brokered less than a year ago.
“I’m convinced that the trust is pursuing an active mandate to press on with its desire to close the Beacon, and I can’t stand by and allow that to happen, and neither will the public.
“Burntisland is one of the few towns in Fife that has a thriving high street and the Beacon plays a vital part in that economic success.
“It also plays a huge part in the council’s Plan For Fife, it’s health and well-being strategy to get both children and adults more physically active and the region’s tourist strategy.
“I’ve requested an explanation of the financial rationale behind the latest proposal, but four months I’ve yet to see anything,” said Mr Crooks.
“The situation is now so serious I’ve requested Fife Council order an external audit of the trust’s finances and its management structure.”
Responding to Mr Crooks concerns, Wendy Watson, FSLT chief operating office said: “FSLT continues to engage with Fife Council with regards the funding pressures associated with the current management fee and the trust’s wider service redesign programme.
“No decision has been made with regards the current operating hours of the Beacon Leisure Centre.
“Any decision to amend the level of service, at any of its facilities, due to budget pressures is taken in conjunction with, and full agreement of, Fife Council – it is not Fife Sports and Leisure Trust’s preferred position to alter operating hours that affect its customers.
“We are aware of Councillor Crooks’ interest in the Beacon Leisure Centre, as a former member of the trust’s board of directors; we are very grateful for his contribution and recognise his commitment to the importance of services for local communities.
“We would urge customers to continue to support their local leisure as we recognise that speculation about the facilities future is not helpful.”
Anger over uncertainty
Question marks over the long-term future of the Beacon Leisure Centre in Burntisland have triggered an angry and defiant response from those within the town.
Alex MacDonald, chairman of the town’s community council said the leisure centre, which boasts one of only two leisure pools in Fife and is only one of two facilities to have full disabled access, plays not only a vital part within the local community but also the town’s local economy.
“Burntisland community council is very concerned about the impact a further reduction in operating hours would will have on the Beacon and we would prefer to see services improved rather than diminished.
“I will meet on Thursday with the outgoing chief executive of Fife Sports and Leisure Trust to discuss the situation and the Beacon’s future and will look to stress the importance of the Beacon Leisure Centre and the extremely important role it plays locally.
“We will be seeking reassurances as to the Beacon’s future and certainly will not be sitting back to let the facility just turn to dust.”
Potential cuts to the operating hours at the popular pool could also mean the end for one of the region’s oldest swimming clubs.
Bridget Fraser, chairman of Burntisland Ameteur Swimming Club, which has been based in the town since it was formed in 1886 and based at the Beacon since it was built and the open air pool that preceded it, said further cuts would force the historic club to close.
“It would be a disaster for this town and for Fife as a whole if we were to lose the Beacon,” she said.
“Less water time for our members to train spell the end of over 130 years of swimming history for the club and the teams we have that compete at district and national level more importantly it would one less venue in for which people would be able to use to learn to swim.
“More importantly it would be a loss of another perfect facility whereby people could come for exercise and recreation.
“In an era when we councils are striving to get people more physically active, to cut or close the centre completely would be a ridiculous decision.”
Furthermore, Bridget said it would be a huge insult to the people of Burntisland who contributed much to getting the centre built in the first place.
“We must remember this town contributed £100,000 towards the building of the Beacon from Burntisland Common Good Fund as well as more that raised by the local community to make the Beacon a reality,” she said.
“People will want reassurances that the Beacon will be properly managed in the future and a petition is to be set up this week to protect the Beacon.”
