Council agrees charitable trust proposals

East Renfrewshire Council has approved proposals for arrangements to be put in place to establish a cultural and leisure trust.

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 19 December 2014 18:06

The plan will see council sports and leisure facilities, plus their staff, transfer to the charitable trust by summer 2015.

To also be included in the transfer are sports centres, libraries, community halls and Eastwood Park Theatre. Sports and arts development and the Active Schools service will also move to the new trust.

Services to the public will not be affected by the move.

No centre or hall will close as a result of a transfer to a trust - the trust will not be able to close any of the facilities. The council will keep control of all its properties. Jobs will not be at risk by the transfer.

The main reason for the move is to provide improved services for local residents, and to protect jobs.

As a trust with charitable status, it is able to claim some rate and VAT exemption.

This would allow it to make savings in the services it provides, protecting them during challenging financial times.

Trust status also opens up access to external funding which is not available to the council. This offers more opportunities to make long-term improvements to culture and leisure across the board.

It is estimated that up to £470,000 year would be saved.

There will be continued discussions with all staff affected and trade unions.

Convener for community services and community safety, Councillor Mary Montague, said: "There is real evidence from councils across Scotland that a move to charitable trust status will benefit services, customers and staff. The majority of councils have already transferred culture and leisure services to trusts.

"The council would still be very much involved and will be represented on any trust board.

"Budgets are under pressure, as they are within councils the length and breadth of the country. A transfer such as this saves money, protects public services and protects jobs.

"Our customers will not be affected – the public service they get from their local library, sports centre or community facility will be exactly the same as under the council."