A cinema charity is bidding to take over the closure-threatened Howden Park Centre in Livingston from West Lothian Leisure.
Councillors agreed to give consent for the closure of three swimming pools in Livingston, Broxburn and Armadale on Tuesday - but they backed the potential takeover of the theatre by the trust which runs the Regal Theatre in Bathgate.
It came as the council leader warned that long term security for council funded services remains in doubt unless the Scottish Government recognises the responsibilities it has placed on local authorities and funds them properly.
READ MORE: Thee West Lothian swimming pools to close after no alternative found
Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “We have cut over £150 million since 2007 with a further £40 million to find over the next five years. Local services desperately need the SNP Government to provide additional funding and they have continually failed to do so”
West Lothian Leisure confirmed that Howden Park Centre and the three pools set for closure all currently make a significant monthly financial loss and, if said the facilities do not cease operation, WLL face the risk of insolvency, which would risk the closure of all Xcite facilities.
Before a decision was made, last month councillors instructed officers to explore alternative commercial and community options that would allow for continued provision, including inviting expressions of interest and other related matters.
The council also agreed that £140,000 of one-off revenue funding was made available until 31 March 2024 to support the operation of Howden Park, given that a future programme of events was required to secure its viability and that that many events could not be suitably accommodated elsewhere.
Following that work, a proposal considered to be viable has been received from Reconnect SCIO – the charitable trust which currently operates the art deco Regal Theatre in Bathgate - for the continued operation of Howden Park Centre as a theatre and arts venue, and as the permanent base for Firefly Arts, up to 31 March 2024.
According to council officers Further work is required to support the transition from WLL to Reconnect SCIO, such as the agreement of lease terms and obtaining Creative Scotland consent to the change but, subject to those being secured, the venue will remain open up to 31 March 2024, and operated by Reconnect SCIO.
Council officers have also been instructed to continue to explore options for operations beyond March 2024.
West Lothian Leisure will therefore cease operations at Howden Park Centre on 31 August 2023. The council will now work in conjunction with representatives from WLL and Reconnect SCIO on a number of legal, governance, finance, property and human resources matters.
The council has also agreed to:
- Establish a cross-service project team of council officers to oversee the future continued operation at Howden Park Centre
- Identify potential business/venue critical capital expenditure requirements, alongside potential resourcing options.
- Develop a customer and stakeholder engagement plan, to ensure that the necessary consent is obtained from Creative Scotland to the change and that customers and venue users are updated on progress.
Leader of West Lothian Council, Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “It is positive that a viable alternative has been identified through this piece of work that will enable Howden Park Centre to remain open and provide arts and theatre provision for the local community and local groups.
“Reconnect SCIO has a good track record of operating a successful arts venue locally Howden Park Centre is an important facility and nobody wants to see it close its doors. The financial reality is so stark that, without another provider taking on the venue, it would be forced to close. The council and West Lothian Leisure cannot continue to deliver the same level of services as before without the funding that would enable us to do that.
“I am incredibly grateful to those that have expressed an interest in the facility and have taken the time to meet with council officers to go over the proposals. There has been a huge amount of support given to Howden Park Centre and I think everyone acknowledges that.
"I have had the opportunity to meet with representatives of some of these groups and I know how much Howden Park Centre, and the availability of a local arts venue, means to them. I completely understand and share in their belief that West Lothian should have a successful and thriving arts venue.”
Addressing the wider issues of funding for local service provision across West Lothian Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “We have written to the First Minister setting out our position and appealing for additional funding, and we have had no response. This is not acceptable and highlights what councils are up against.
“This Labour administration has always shared the concerned voiced by local people, in particular the family members of those with loved ones within our care homes. The potential impact of the closures would have also impacted upon our staff and that is why we have taken this important action which we hope will save long term council run care homes in West Lothian, offering stability for residents, their loved ones and dedicated members of staff.
“It is the case that all political parties on the council agreed to reduce West Lothian Leisure’s management fee when the budget was agreed in February and it’s telling that even now, the SNP group is seeking to reverse their position.
“I understand that the Scottish Government has been allocated money from the UK Government via Barnett consequentials to support swimming pools to remain open and, to date, no funding has been provided to support swimming pools anywhere in Scotland.
"Unfortunately, our appeals to the Scottish Government for further financial support have fallen on deaf ears.”
