An employee-led plan that would have protected the under fire Beacon Leisure Centre from cuts to opening hours – and potentially boosted revenue – was dismissed by the body set up to run it, claim staff.
The draft proposal, understood to set out measures to improve efficiency without reducing hours, was put to Fife Sports and Leisure Trust (FSLT) three years ago but was not acted upon, workers have said.
Colleagues at Fife’s only leisure pool say there is now a widely held view among its 60 staff that there is an unwritten agenda to force its closure.
One Beacon employee, who asked not to be named, said: “Staff met to discuss what could be done and proposals on how the centre could be run more efficiently were put forward but they were immediately dismissed out of hand.
“The plan was rejected so unequivocally that it raised questions whether the proposals were ever seriously considered at all.
“Certainly no discussions were ever entered into with any staff regarding streamlining the day-to-day operations or the opportunities to increase revenue which doesn’t make sense, especially given the financial climate.”
The claims have been rejected by FSLT.
A trust spokesman said: “We have no knowledge of a report being submitted by staff at the Beacon Leisure Centre with regards budget-saving measures or improvements.
“Staff were consulted in 2017 at the start of the Redesign of Services programme and they did submit a report which focused on staffing and shifts only.”
He said staff at the centre had been consulted and assured that no decision had been made on amending operating hours, or closing the centre.
“The trust actively encourages and signposts staff to submit ideas through an internal scheme,” added the spokesman. “These ideas go to a committee and are selected on merit, anyone putting forward an idea which is implemented, is rewarded with a gift voucher.”
Labour councillor Neil Crooks, convener of Kirkcaldy area committee, who resigned from the FSLT and called for an external audit of its finances and management structure, said he had been heartened by the huge public support for Beacon since The Courier revealed concerns over its long-term future.
Video of Neil Crooks stating his concerns is above this article
He said he hoped any moves to reduce hours would be rejected.
“The agreement reached with Fife Council in April 2019 agreed reduction of hours at several centres as proposed but specifically did not include the Beacon,” said Mr Crooks.
More than 5,000 people have now signed a petition set up by Burntisland Swimming Club calling for the Beacon’s future to be secured.
Leading Fife councillor claims sports board trying to force closure of main leisure centre
