Plans to transfer ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Community Learning and Development service over to live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ were formally approved at today’s meeting of the full council.
The arrangement comes as part of a Leisure Theme review that formed the council’s budget planning process for 2021-22.
¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “As part of the Leisure Theme Review, the council and live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ mutually agreed that it would be beneficial to transfer Community Learning and Development over to live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.
“There are clear similarities between the services that live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ offers and those which are delivered by Community Learning and Development, so it is in the best interests of everyone for them to be delivered under the one umbrella. By doing so, this will enhance service delivery and ensure long term sustainability for our communities.â€
Kevin Anderson, General Manager for live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, said: “There is clear merit in us (live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥) assuming responsibility and delivery for these services.
“A working group has already been established and plans are at an advanced stage. We have been working hard to ensure that all that all necessary preparations are put in place for services to be smoothly transferred over by 30 June this year. This is an exciting time for the live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ team and we look forward to welcoming the Community Learning and Development team on-board.â€
The council will still have overall responsibility for Community Learning and Development but, as part of the transfer, live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ will produce and implement the Community Learning and Development Plan on its behalf.
Notes to editor:
The Council approved the implementation of a Leisure and Libraries Charitable Trust in November 2016 and, 11 months later, live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ was officially launched. Delivering a wide range of services including; Libraries, Leisure Facilities, Active Schools, Archives, Halls, Sports Development, Museum, Community Centres and Community Lets