Council chiefs are under growing pressure to reject plans to slash funding for a new health complex at Perth’s biggest housing estate.
Proposals to convert Letham Recreation Centre into a £2.8 million health and well-being hub, offering a range of therapies, childcare services and drop-in NHS clinics, were announced two years ago.
Perth and Kinross Council now proposes cutting the project budget by around 60% to help pay for a £50 million redevelopment of Perth High School.
The move, which will be considered by councillors on Wednesday afternoon, has been condemned by a new charity set up to take control of the hub.
Letham4All was launched just last month with support from the council and the Scottish Government’s Aspiring Communities Fund, among others.
Chairman Jon Kidd said the group was “devastated” to learn about the budget plan, which was revealed by The Courier on Friday.
“We are, like many local people, concerned about the lack of progress on the building,” he said. “We knew that the award of contract to the preferred bidder has been delayed, but no one has come forward to let us or the local community know that there is a possibility that the funding – which had been agreed in 2016 – is going to be significantly reduced.”
He said: “Letham4All has been working to create a business plan to operate the refurbished building, which was designed by the architects based on what local people and services need in the area.
“It looks as though everyone will need to go back to the drawing board now.”
Mr Kidd said: “The level of funding agreed by the council was specifically to meet the cost of the architects’ designs, so with such a significant reduction in funding the whole refurbishment will likely need to be redesigned.”
The charity is holding a public meeting on Tuesday, July 3, at the Marlee Road community club from 7pm to discuss a way forward.
In papers to go before councillors, a local authority spokesman proposes slashing the Letham budget to £1.25 million.
“The council is committed to the Letham Wellbeing Hub and is working with the community to deliver this project,” he said.
“Officers are working with the community to evaluate the assumptions underpinning the operating model to ensure that the revenue costs of the new facility can be met.”
He added: “This may include reviewing the activities to be delivered from the new facility.”
The centre was closed as part of the overhaul in August last year.
Perth City North councillor John Rebbeck (SNP) said the previous SNP adminstration had made £3 million available for the refurbishment.
“Having had no facilities for nearly a year, the Tories are slashing the money available for this project to only £1.25 million,” he said.
“This is a shameful betrayal of the largest single community in Perth and Kinross. Having been made aware only last month that this project was in doubt councillor Dave Doogan (SNP group leader) and I have lobbied hard within the council for the full amount to be allocated.
“Unfortunately it would seem the Tories care little for the community of Letham who have been let down by them.”
