THE fight to ensure the Arran Outdoor Education Centre remains open has gained further backing.
Only one week ago we told of how James Hughes, who taught in North Ayrshire for 32 years, had written to the council urging them to keep the centre open.
Now West of Scotland MSP, Labour's Katy Clark has also joined in rallying calls to save the centre.
The Arran Outdoor Education Centre faces the axe as executives prepare budget plans for 2023/24 - as we reported exclusively back in December.
A council insider claimed that as well as selling the asset, the closure would lead to 10 people losing their jobs.
A leaked part of the proposed budget plans showed that the closure and sale of the centre would lead to a saving of £387,240.
Though many may feel this saving pales in comparison to what the facility has offered children in North Ayrshire.
Ms Clark is the latest to say exactly this, having written an open letter to North Ayrshire Council leader Marie Burns urging that "all councillors take the decision to retain the centre when its future is voted on in March".
She added that the value of the centre "cannot be overstated" and that its closure would have "serious knock-on effects".
Katy, who represents Arran as part of the wider West Scotland region, commented: “The Arran community has shown its overwhelming support for retaining this centre, which is attended by pupils across the entire country.
“I recognise that North Ayrshire Council continues to face financial difficulties as a result of unnecessary cuts to local government, and I continue to lobby the Scottish Government to instead use its significant tax-raising powers to support councils.
“However, I believe outdoor education is essential for children’s development and the long term costs of closing this centre will be more significant than any annual budget savings. The council should do the right thing and retain the centre.”
While when discussing the matter, North Ayrshire Council have been keen to reaffirm that no decisions are yet finalised.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “It’s important to stress that no decisions have yet been taken on budget savings for next year.
“We have recently undertaken a consultation across North Ayrshire which informed us of our residents’ priorities ahead of the Budget being set.
“However, across Scotland and the United Kingdom, everyone is feeling pressure from the Cost-of-Living Crisis and the council is not immune from that.
“For the financial year 2023/24, we currently anticipate a funding gap of £10.2million, while our financial outlook also indicates the council has an anticipated budget gap of £34m over the next three years.
“Rising inflation and energy costs have created additional pressures on our already challenging financial position.
“Unfortunately, that means that a wide range of difficult options are likely to be considered in order for us to deliver a balanced budget.
“However, no decisions will be taken on how to achieve these savings until the Full Council meets to consider the 2023/24 Budget on March 1, 2023.”
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