21/07/2023
eMail from Xcite to Governing Bodies
Edinburgh Evening News West Lothian Courier Edinburgh Live West Lothian News West Lothian Labour West Lothian SNP Councillors
Good afternoon,
I am writing to update you directly on some upcoming changes at West Lothian Leisure which will affect the provision of indoor bowls at one of our venues, Xcite Bathgate.
As you may be aware, West Lothian Leisure faces a £2.95million budget pressure over the period 2023/24 to 2027/28:
A phased management fee reduction from West Lothian Council of £1.75 million (£750,000 phased across 2024/25 and 2025/26 with the remaining £996,000 of the reduction phased across 2026/27 and 2027/28)
A £1.185million budget deficit for 2023/24 approved by West Lothian Leisure Board, subject to a programme of mitigating actions.
As a result, we are implementing several measures to protect sport and leisure facilities in West Lothian for the future.
To address the removal of the council management fee of £1.75m over the next 5 years, the council has approved a proposal to close three Xcite operated swimming pools by the 31st of August, and to transfer operations of Howden Park Centre to another organisation. These changes will affect c.78 staff, who are at risk of redundancy.
To address the budget shortfall of £1.2m this financial year, plans are in place to maximise our use of space and drive new income through business development opportunities.
We have met with representatives from the Balbardie Indoor Bowling Club three in the last few weeks to discuss the longstanding history of the club, and while I was pleased to learn they had increased membership in recent months, we confirmed that the bowling hall remains significantly underutilised.
During the course of our business modelling, we also identified that by utilising the space for 12 months of the year instead of the seven currently as used by the Bowling club, there was potential to generate an additional c.£90k of income.
Before any decisions were made, we met with the club to discuss options, considerations and/or proposals that could generate a similar income figure whilst retaining bowling from September to April. Some thoughts around pricing, membership fees, dual use, boards for the carpet to allow for other activities and other ideas were shared. While these were encouraging, none were deemed viable, and most came at an additional cost to West Lothian Leisure - which we simply cannot afford.
Given our financial situation, I sadly had to write to Balbardie Bowling Club to confirm that we are no longer in a position to subsidise the current or future use of the bowling hall. Regrettably, we will therefore not be renewing their club let for 2023/24 and beyond.
I appreciate this is not the news anyone wishes to hear and acknowledge that this will mean significant change for the club. As a key stakeholder, I am writing to you to also offer our support in facilitating a meeting with all relevant parties to explore how the club can support their members to retain playing bowls in West Lothian, albeit not at Xcite Bathgate. Please let me know if and when you or one of your colleagues would be available for such a meeting, and I will coordinate dates accordingly. I have copied in Margo Duff and Mark Bonar as committee members of the club whom I have been meeting with previously.
I have attached a copy of the letter sent to the club for your added information. In the meantime, I would like to again thank Mark and Margo for their time over the last few weeks during what have been difficult discussions. I really appreciated the points they made and recognise the valuable work that they do as volunteers for a club that, whilst small compared to others, has certainly punched above its weight in terms of accolades.
Kind regards,
Karen
Karen Wernham | Head of Operations
Xcite West Lothian Leisure | Head Office
Xcite Bathgate | Balbardie Park | Torphichen Road |Bathgate | West Lothian | EH48 4LA
t: 01506 237874 | m: 07919 292 883
w: www.westlothianleisure.com
www.facebook.com/Xcitewestlothianleisure
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