A new operating model for Fife’s first community campus has been outlined – although some councillors have expressed reservations about the set-up moving forward.
The new hub in Kirkcaldy will bring together a number of facilities that currently operate from standalone premises in the east of the town, most notably Viewforth High School, Rosslyn School, Sinclairtown Library and the Kirkcaldy East Local Office.
But with excitement building ahead of the campus opening later this year, councillors on the region’s education, health and social care committee have highlighted some of their concerns – particularly around budgets and operating hours.
The one campus approach will see one campus budget managed by a campus governance board, likely to be chaired by Viewforth High headteacher Adrian Watt, leading to worries about conflicts of interest in relation to the hub’s various different elements.
“I think it’s an excellent initiative and I hope it goes really well, but there are some things that will be very challenging,” said Glenrothes councillor Bill Brown.
“There is a real need to be sympathetic to the needs across the whole campus.
“If we can get to a position where we do encourage growth in all areas then we will really have achieved something, but I am a little bit concerned about the campus governance board.”
However, while Andrew Stokes, programme manager, accepted the “culture could become quite defensive” in these instances, he stressed that the budget structure may be revised as the model is developed and more experience is gained.
“We’re not going to get absolutely everything right because this is the first time we’ve done it,” he conceded.
“It’s been challenging, it’s been hugely enjoyable to work on, and I’m in no doubt that when it opens in August it will be a fantastic facility for the children to go to school in and a project where we can say that integration works.”
Committee chair Susan Leslie recommended that officers should report back early in 2017 to help monitor the progress and performance of the new arrangements.
Officers were similarly asked to give priority to extending campus operations beyond normal working hours to include most evenings and weekends, and also to investigate the inclusion of ward councillors on the campus governance board.
Committee members also heard how facilities at Sinclairtown Library, which has now closed, will transfer to Fife Council to be operated through the campus.
Windmill Library will adopt the same model in place at other integrated customer service centres and libraries in Leven, Methil and Inverkeithing, with a campus customer service team delivering library services on behalf of Fife Cultural Trust and the school librarian providing a professionally qualified resource.
