A LARGS councillor says new turbine developments in the area could breathe fresh life into bids to protect community centres and libraries.
Independent Ian Murdoch wants cash from a proposed new wind farm in Skelmorlie to be diverted into efforts to save vital resources.
He says accessing funds being made available to the area by developers proposing the development in the back hills of the village could counter the cuts looming within the council’s budget.
He said: “There is attractive offer of community funds on offer from the wind farm company which could be utilised for the likes of Skelmorlie’s community centre.
“These are all things that will have to be looked into.
“People may object to a new wind farm, but we will have to wait and see the strength of public feeling. I have had a number of meetings with the company and there could be some community benefit driven through the council’s Locality Planning Partnership group towards the community centre and library.
“It would be silly not to try and capitalise on this.
“Nobody wants to see these community centres and libraries close down.
“This is the second round of consultations to discuss a range of proposals regarding our centres’ futures.
“I would be surprised if every elected member is not fighting to keep the services available in each of their constituencies.
“It is a process we have to go through – it is not a nice one – but it is an example of how communities are going to have to start helping themselves.
“The likes of Fairlie and Skelmorlie community centres are not owned by the council, they are leased from the community associations.
“If NAC decides to relinquish these, the buildings won’t disappear and community groups will have the opportunity to continue to provide the services within the building.
“The difficulty is how do we finance that and whether it is possible to look to the council for help in terms of additional funding. which may or may not happen. Regardless, we have to source funding to keep these open and the windfarm money could be one option.”
https://www.largsandmillportnews.com/news/18189207.windfarm-cash-help-save-community-centres/
0 Comments