Future of golf course 'decided' as councillors pass budget

Dalmuir golf course. <i>(Image: Newsquest)</i>
Dalmuir golf course. (Image: Newsquest)
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The future of Dalmuir Golf Course has been decided at a council meeting.

Councillors revealed that the nearly 100-year-old course would have its funding removed as they passed the 2025/26 budget.

In the meeting on Wednesday, March 5, councillors also approved an 11.5 per cent council tax increase.

The course, which was saved from potential closure last year, was again one of the savings options in this year's West Dunbartonshire Council budget.

However, the course is now believed to close until a community asset transfer comes into effect.


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A community asset transfer allows a local community to take ownership or manage publicly-owned buildings or land at lower than market rates.

The aim is to promote social, economic, and environmental well-being.

Councillors have revealed that West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister is set to help coordinate this community asset transfer by setting up a taskforce.

SNP Councillor Lauren Oxley asked members if this was an attempt to "cover up" the closure.

The course currently costs £100,000 to subsidise, and officials say that membership has declined.

An online petition to save the course had gained almost 3,500 signatures and support from large golfing names, including US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau and Craig Connelly, who has caddied for various stars.

A West Dunbartonshire Council spokesperson said: "Despite significant efforts, regrettably membership and usage of Dalmuir Golf Course has continued to decline.

"This meant last year, the council subsidised the club by more than £145,000 or £805 per member, and this is no longer sustainable.

"Our budget gap for 2025/26 was £7.7m and we expect further financial challenges in coming years so we must prioritise protection of the essential services we provide to residents, including education, housing and citizen support."

Council leader Martin Rooney made a statement at the beginning of the meeting, introducing his budget.

He said: "One of the things I’m sure we will all agree on today is that setting a budget is not an easy or a straightforward undertaking.

"After years of trying to achieve some form of financial sustainability for our council and the people it serves, we are still struggling to significantly reduce the recurring revenue deficit.

"It seems every time we take one step forward we end up two steps back.

"Continuing financial instability and the ongoing need to make savings means it has become impossible to identify options to balance the budget while continuing to provide services in the same way.

"I have made repeated calls for fair funding for West Dunbartonshire and repeated calls from all levels have echoed those pleas.

"These aren’t the choices that anyone in this room would like to make, the budget is no why any of us got into politics.

"But the bottom line is this, we must balance our budgets to work towards a sustainable future."

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