COMMUNITY takeovers of many closed council-owned venues are being encouraged – but some groups have fears over a “lack of clarity”.
A call out to organisations and entrepreneurs interested in taking “greater control” of local facilities was made in late February.
So far, over 150 enquiries have been received – with interest registered in more than 20 venues which aren’t scheduled to reopen.
Another 17 have been earmarked for “community management” under the People Make Glasgow Communities scheme.
That programme aims to deliver “community participation and empowerment”, the council insists.
But third sector representatives have said community groups feel there has been a “distinct lack of clarity” and consultation.
Unions previously said they feared the scheme was “offloading” facilities to community groups.
Which venues could be ran by the community?
Following a backlash over a list of venues not scheduled for reopening, Glasgow Life, which runs sport and cultural facilities for the council, published updated information.
It revealed there has been interest in facilities such as Maryhill and Whitehill libraries, Alexandra Park bowls and golf course, the Barlia Sports Centre in Castlemilk and Drumchapel, Pollok, Garrowhill and Ruchill community centres.
Others, including Maryhill Bowls, Knightswood pitch and putt and Glenconner Park, are earmarked for takeovers.
On Thursday, councillors will be asked to approve letting Stepford Sports Park – which is not on Glasgow Life’s list – to FARE, an Easterhouse charity.
They would renounce the lease to Glasgow Life, which was unable to keep the facility open “as a result of Covid-19”.
There are talks with a third party over the management of St Mungo Museum.
Rangers Charitable Trust has a lease for the Ibrox football centre and Partick Thistle Charitable Trust is running the Petershill leisure centre.
Work on community asset transfers for Langside Hall and Woodside Hall is under way.
How will People Make Glasgow Communities work?
Under the Community Empowerment Act 2015, councils need to publish a register of land they own or lease.
All council-owned venues – including schools, parks and community centres – are marked on an online map, which allows enquiries about individual properties.
Not all assets are suitable for the programme, a council spokesman said, adding applications made through the scheme will be considered on their “own merits”.
It has been set up to provide a quicker way of delivering new operating models as community asset transfer legislation can be complicated, the council says.
There are five stages: application, assessment, engagement, development and implementation.
Business cases, showing financial viability and community demand, will be required at stage three, with lease agreement and council committee approval at stage four.
The council spokesman said: “While each application to potentially use a venue on the community asset list will be considered on its own merits and its appropriateness for the particular venue, it should be noted that the fundamental purpose of this programme is to deliver community participation and empowerment, and as such community and third sector groups will be in a strong position.”
What have voluntary groups said about the scheme?
Anna Dyer, a North West Glasgow Voluntary Sector Network representative, said charities were “not consulted beforehand, and it’s been very stressful”.
She told a recent meeting of the Hillhead area partnership that some organisations had been “doorstepped” by people interested in taking over their venues.
They made it “very clear they’re not interested in the organisation which is based in it”, Ms Dyer claimed.
She added: “There’s a very distinct lack of clarity on what it’s about.”
Amanda Brown, from the sector network, said members wanted clarification on whether “if they don’t feel able to take on the running of a building, where does it leave them if somebody else takes the building over?”.
Speaking at a Garscadden/Scotstounhill area partnership meeting, Neil Lovelock, another sector representative, said: “Some of these facilities, there’s community organisations that are already involved in running and delivering services and they’ve not been approached about this.
“I think that’s the main issue at the moment.”
When it launched, Ian Bruce, chief executive of Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector, said: "This is an innovative and exciting initiative, with Glasgow City Council leading the way for Scotland in empowering communities to play a greater role in the venues and services that matter to them.
"Our members - community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises - now have a real opportunity to step up and demonstrate the change that is possible."
Venues which have received expressions of interest under People Make Glasgow Communities, according to Glasgow Life:
Maryhill Library
Whiteinch Library
Alexandra Park Campus – Bowls and Golf
Barlia Sports Centre
Bellahouston Bowls and Pitch & Putt
Cathkin Pitch
Greenfield Park & Football Pavilion
Linn Park Golf
Netherpollok Playing Fields & Pavilion
Netherton Pitches & Pavilion
Peterson Park Pitches/Pavilion
Ruchill Golf
Victoria Park Campus – Bowls, Rugby and Tennis
Drumchapel Community Centre
Garrowhill Community Centre
Geoff Shaw Community Centre
Molendinar Community Centre
Netherton Community Centre
Pollok Community Centre
Ruchill Community Centre
Shettleston Community Centre
Tollcross Community Centre
Venues earmarked for 'new operating models under People Make Glasgow Communities, according to Glasgow Life:
Caldercuilt Playing Fields
Castlemilk Bowls
Drumchapel Bowls
Glenconner Park
Halgreen Avenue Playing Fields
Kelso St Pitch
King George V Playing Fields
King Georges Field
Knightswood Pitch & Putt
Maryhill Bowls
Mount Vernon Football Pitch
Netherton Campus - Bowling Green
Penilee Secondary School Pitch
Queens Park Campus – Bowls & Pitch & Putt
Springburn Bowling
Balgrayhill Community Centre
Pollokshields Community Centre
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