The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed that continuing to provide sporting and community facilities for the west and south west of Edinburgh is a key part of the ongoing review of schools in the area.
Feedback from local communities has meant that the Education Convener has issued a message to the public to reassure them that community facilities will be part of the discussion. Since details of the review were published in early December, questions have been raised about the future of community facilities in the area.
Councillor Ian Perry, Convener of Education, Children and Families, had a message of reassurance for anyone concerned about their future provision.
Cllr Ian Perry
He said: “The topic of sporting and community facilities has generated lots of feedback with many people saying how valued they are by the local communities. I want to make it clear that providing these facilities for the whole community to use will be a key part of any future proposals being brought forward.
“I want to reassure everyone that we are listening to what people are saying. The Vice Convener and I have met with the head teacher and parent council representatives from Wester Hailes Education Centre who told us how well used the leisure centre is. We were left in no doubt as to the strength of feeling about any lack of similar provision in the future.
“We understand that these facilities are often what bonds communities together and we will work with residents in the west and south west of the city to ensure they continue to be provided.”
Cllr Alison Dickie, Vice Convener of Education, Children and Families, said: “We fully appreciate the comments being made about sporting and community facilities and will absolutely take them on board as we continue with our consultation process.
“We do listen and change proposals following feedback. A perfect example was earlier this year when we consulted about the plans for the new Queensferry High School. There was strong local support for increasing the number of swimming pool lanes from four to six which has now been agreed.
“We are only at the informal consultation stage with the west and south west review and are keen to hear people’s ideas and solutions.”
The Council will hold events between 9 January 2018 and 9 February 2018 at schools in the west and south west. These events will be organised through the Parent Councils and will allow invited focus groups to discuss the proposals with Council officers.
In March 2018, the Education, Children and Families Committee will be provided with an update on the discussions that have taken place and recommendations about what should happen next.
Full details of the schools review can be found on the Council website.
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