Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian, and Councillor Nick Cook have voiced disappointment after being told by Edinburgh Council that it has no plans to investigate developing a new community centre in Morningside. Miles made representations to the Council about a feasibility study into a new facility in light of the sale of the area’s much-used Cluny Centre. The Council has replied saying it has a backlog maintenance of £110 million and addressing health and safety issues affecting current council buildings is its priority.
Commenting Miles Briggs MSP said:
“Local residents will be deeply disappointed with the Council’s refusal to look at a new community space in Morningside. The loss of the Cluny Centre which hosts so many local groups will be hard felt in the area. While local residents are looking forward to a new hall being built at Morningside Parish Church on Braid Road, there remain local concerns about a gap in available community space at a time when the area’s population is growing and so many local groups are looking for hall space.
“It seems that addressing the needs of local residents and community groups in Morningside and the Southside of the city is not a priority for this Labour/SNP Council.”
Councillor Nick Cook said:
“Edinburgh Council’s disappointing response again demonstrates the knock-on effects of its failure to properly maintain its estate over a period of decades, which we know has impacted so significantly on the condition of community centres and schools across south Edinburgh.”