At today’s Dunfermline Area Committee, a number of items such as a report on the performance of local schools as well as funding approvals for the Abbeyview After School Club, local community planning budget request for Consolidation and Application of Learning and a funding contribution to go with the recent Heritage Lottery Funding award for Dunfermline. A decision was also made on whether to lease Common Good land by the New Row to the Alhambra Trust.

The report on the performance of local schools was substantial but provided interesting information for scrutiny. In general I was pleased to read the increases in attainment in local schools. I did query why there was a spike in temporary exclusions in the 2016/17 session at St Columba’s which was concerning me. Apparently in the course of the most recent session this has decreased which is welcome. I also raised my concerns about the decreasing attainment levels for the children in most deprived circumstances at Woodmill High over the past 3 years for S4 pupils, which showed a widening attainment gap. The Head Teacher replied that they were looking to use Pupil Equity Funding to improve this situation.

There was unanimous agreement to back the funding for the Abbeyview After School Club which is used to bus children in from peripheral areas, and I was pleased this was backed. The other budget requests were also backed, and I was happy that Dunfermline’s tourism potential should be unleashed by the Heritage Lottery funding award which will promote Dunfermline as a tourist destination. This should benefit local businesses.

There was a debate on whether to lease the Common Good land to the Alhambra Trust. There was awareness of the fact that some stakeholders such as the local Community Council had objected. While I had no issue on the general idea of doing this, as it would bring in revenue and reduce Council maintenance obligations, I did have some major concerns. Firstly and most importantly in my mind, it was not clear how much – if any – money would go to the Common Good fund. It was also unclear how long the lease would be for, and there was no option for Councillors to indicate final agreement after these details became clear. As such I voted for an amendment which would have delayed the final decision until these details were known. After votes it was even on both sides, but the Chair had the casting vote and voted for the original proposal. I am disappointed, as I felt this means there is no democratic accountability on the final decision and if it does not provide a good deal for the Common Good Fund this cannot be stopped by Councillors. However I hope that a fair deal is made in this regard.

The next meeting takes place in mid-April.