Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch used Portfolio Question Time in the Scottish Parliament to ask The Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners’ Rights (Shona Robison) if she had any further information about grants that might be available from sportscotland in relation to the Lochaber Sport’s Association’s (LSA) plans to develop a training facility and whether there would be a notable Commonwealth Games legacy to the more remote areas of the country. This followed a meeting that Dave, who is a Patron of LSA, had with the Cabinet Secretary at the end of June when he pressed the case for funding for the new Lochaber Sports Association Sports Centre.

The Minster responded to say that, “Since we met to discuss Lochaber Sports Association’s plans for an indoor training facility, sportscotland officials have met a number of key stakeholders to explore ways of realising the association’s plans. That includes the involvement of High Life Highland in operating the facility”.

Commenting on this Mr Thompson said, “It is great to get confirmation that High Life Highland may be operating the facility, which would allow Highland Council to then procure it, thereby saving a VAT payment of £240,596.

This would allow the project to move forward with Kilmallie Community Council applying for planning permission on behalf of the Lochaber Sports Association to save on planning fees.

Following planning approval there could then be a concerted focus on finalising funding and I look forward to both Highland Council (£600,000) and sportscotland (£500,000) confirming their contributions at that stage”.

Regarding the Commonwealth Games legacy for rural areas, the Minister stated, “Local authorities have played an important role in spreading the legacy benefits the length and breadth of the country. The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers legacy leads network provides a platform for promoting opportunities, co-ordinating activity and working together to secure a legacy that we can all be proud of”.

In relation to this Dave said, “I am pleased that local authorities will be pulling in the same direction to maximise the benefit for rural areas and I look forward to hearing news on how the network continues to support opportunities and activities in the region”.

Notes:

See Dave’s questions and answers from the Minister below:

Commonwealth Games Legacy (Remote Areas)

Dave Thompson (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be a notable Commonwealth games legacy to the more remote areas of the country. (S4O-03433)

The Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games, Sport, Equalities and Pensioners’ Rights (Shona Robison): There will be. The Scottish Government is committed to creating a lasting legacy and maximising the benefits for the whole of Scotland from hosting the 2014 Commonwealth games. Local authorities have played an important role in spreading the legacy benefits the length and breadth of the country. The Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers legacy leads network provides a platform for promoting opportunities, co-ordinating activity and working together to secure a legacy that we can all be proud of.

Dave Thompson: I know that the cabinet secretary is aware of Lochaber Sports Association’s plans to develop a training facility and the great work that it has done in Lochaber to get all the sports clubs and others on board. Does she have further information about grants that might be available from sportscotland and so on for that facility?

Shona Robison: Since we met to discuss Lochaber Sports Association’s plans for an indoor training facility, sportscotland officials have met a number of key stakeholders to explore ways of realising the association’s plans. That includes the involvement of High Life Highland in operating the facility, which should remove a significant barrier to delivering the project.

I understand that the association is raising funds for the planning application, which Kilmallie community council will submit on its behalf. As Dave Thompson is aware, that is a crucial step in the process. Planning approval will allow funding bodies to consider applications that are before them.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9439&mode=html#iob_84847