Local SNP councillor David Barratt had initiated a rare “call in” procedure to re-look at a decision made in November.
Back then, cabinet committee members agreed to take forward six options – including two for alternative locations and not all with a pool – for future community-use facilities in West Fife which Cllr Barratt described as a “slap in the face” for the community.
The matter went back to the local authority’s People and Community’s Scrutiny Committee after the Dalgety Bay and Inverkeithing councillor called for another look.
READ MORE: Fife Council agree six options for future at Inverkeithing
His statement read out at the meeting said: “I initiated the call in following the decision of the cabinet committee to keep all options on the table.
“I consider this decision to be a contradiction to previous decisions of the council contrary to the clearly expressed view of the community.
“It was acknowledged by all involved of the need to invest in swimming facilities in West Fife. This was a common theme in contributions by those who spoke at the cabinet committee in November and yet two of the six options proposed would see no investment in swimming facilities. Those options remain on the table.
“There is an acceptance that the loss of the high school and community use in Inverkeithing risks leaving a significant void in the community and it was an integral part of the decision in 2020 that there would be consideration of investment in the existing site and maintain use of the facilities and yet among the apparent options are proposals that would see no investment in the existing site and even a proposal to move facilities to Rosyth.
“This is not only a contradiction to the decision made in 2021 but this is against the express wishes of the community including both Inverkeithing and Rosyth Community Councils.”
Cllr Barratt said that a decision made in 2021 included “a place holder” investment sum of £1m for investment at the Inverkeithing High site.
“I was involved in negotiations to include this in the 2021 capital plan and the intent at the time was to make a clear political commitment of future investment in the existing site,” he continued.
READ MORE: Inverkeithing councillor warned not to make promises over school site
“The same approach was taken for Abbeyview and Templehall Community hubs with place holder sums of similar amounts included in the capital plan.
“The cabinet decision in November to instead consider a range of options including outwith the existing site and outwith Inverkeithing. This undermines trust in the council risking reputational damage and risks failing to address the impact of Inverkeithing losing the high school. The joint letter from all surrounding community councils asking for the council to get back to what we agreed should not be ignored.
“Saying all options remain on the table is no consolation to residents of Inverkeithing.”
The plea however was rejected with a motion raised by Cllr Lesley Backhouse to have Fife Council review the decision being voted against by nine councillors to two.
READ MORE: Councillors want to keep community use in Inverkeithing
Responding to the concerns, Labour councillor Linda Erskine said a “full and robust” debate had taken place in November when it was agreed to take forward all four options.
“Following a role call vote, it was agreed to go with officers’ recommendation. The council can establish the available budget for the process giving all political parties the opportunity to present their ambitious plans.
“Therefore keeping all available options open at the moment and giving opportunity to political parties to present their views.
“We have had significant challenges since 2021 but what we have done is followed the democratic processes of the council so while there may be changes, we still have the responsibility of investment in Inverkeithing. The options are still there.”