Results of Consultation around Drumgeith Community Campus

The results of a major consultation exercise over delivery of community services in the North East and East End of Dundee will be discussed by councillors next week.

Hundreds of people responded to the call for views on proposals to relocate council and Leisure and Culture Dundee services from current facilities to the new Drumgeith Community Campus, which is set to open alongside Greenfield Academy in August.

Consultation ran for six weeks late last year and the results of the survey and recommendations for future service delivery will be set out to the City Governance Committee at its next meeting.

Councillors will be asked to  

• Approve the continued operation of Douglas Community Centre and Library
• Approve the closure of The Hub Library and Community facility and redistribution of services within six months for the services and building to be closed after the opening of the Drumgeith Community Campus
• Approve the closure of Whitfield Library (The Crescent) and redistribution of services within six months after the opening of the Drumgeith Community Campus  
• Defer a decision on the closure of Douglas Sports Centre and remit the Chief Executive to further review the operations and report back to a future committee.

Council leader Cllr Mark Flynn said: “I would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in this consultation. Their views have played an important part in formulating the recommendations for future delivery of services.

"Drumgeith Community Campus is the largest investment in education, sport and community provision in the city and will deliver state-of-the-art facilities and services to the area.

"However, we were keen to ensure that existing provision in the wider community was looked at with the perspectives of local people closely considered.

"It became clear that Douglas Community Centre and Library plays a crucial role in delivering vital services for the people of Douglas and that these should be retained in the local area.

"Similarly, there was a high level of concern expressed about the closure of Douglas Sports Centre, and I think that a further review is a sensible way forward.

"A balance is being struck for the community with these proposals, and I hope people can see how seriously their views have been taken in the process."

Councillors will hear that a review into Douglas Community Centre concluded that it “has an important role in the delivery of many key services for the people of Douglas and these services are best retained in Douglas”."

A report proposes that Douglas Community Centre and Library and the new campus operate as a hub and spoke model where each site is complementary to the other, and that there is an integrated offer across the communities served by the two facilities.

The report also explains that a review is currently underway to develop an effective single governance and operating model for the Drumgeith Community Campus.

This will ensure that the Drumgeith Community Campus operates efficiently, transparently, and sustainably, meeting the needs of all stakeholders while maintaining high standards of safety, compliance, and community engagement.  

Dundee City Council will manage the facility, and a service level agreement will be established for all partners.

Leisure and Culture Dundee would provide services such as sport, leisure, and library activities.

The City Governance Committee meets on Monday April 21.