Dundee City Council: Closure-threatened leisure venues look safe from axe as budget proposals revealed
Multiple Dundee leisure venues saved from closed with authorities budget
Dundee City Council is set to dip into reserves in a bid to save leisure venues threatened with closure.
The local authority’s SNP administration has revealed plans to use more than £6 million of reserves to ensure facilities including the Caird Park golf courses and Broughty Castle remain open during the next financial year.
The move was detailed in draft budget proposals unveiled on Monday.
Future of venues had been in doubt
The future of the venues, as well as that of the Mills Observatory and two public libraries, had been in doubt as the Dundee City Council faced a £24 million black-hole.
But SNP councillors are proposing to use a £620,000 investment to keep the facilities open.
This, however, will happen while consultation on various service proposals takes place.
Speaking on the budget proposals, council leader John Alexander said there was no guarantee the funding would secure the long-term future of the venues.
“The council’s budget is 83% funded by central government, on a year-to-year basis”, he said.
“So I have no guarantee or knowledge of what our budget settlement will be in a years time, never mind in five years time.
“Our funding package fully funds these venues for the next year and covers an extension to the ground maintenance contract for Caird Park Golf Course.
“So they are safe.”
‘Financial outlook is bleak’
Councillor Alexander added: “Separate from that, we know that the financial outlook is bleak and the next UK Government needs to change tact if we are to save venues such as these.
“In the meantime, officers at Leisure & Culture Dundee will be tasked to look at and consult on all available options including looking at ways of getting these on a sustainable footing.
“(Through) sponsorship, different finance and operating models, community models and only as a last resort should closure be considered.”
What else is in the proposed budget?
The SNP administration’s draft budget does not include controversial plans for parking charges to be brought in for some Broughty Ferry streets.
Bin collections will remain the same, and there will be no cuts to school crossing patrollers.
Council tax and school meal charges for Dundonians are set to be frozen.
Christmas and summer events funding, and the school swimming service will also be safe from cuts
How will the council plug the £24m gap?
The Dundee City Council administration has proposed the following measures to help plug the multi-million funding gap the local authority is facing:
The use of £6.6m in covid reserves.
£3.4m from the Scottish Government to fund the proposed council tax freeze.
£11m in savings already identified by council departments.
£2.5m in extra income including through a rise in parking charges and other fees
The administration’s budget will go before councillors for debate on Thursday.