Leisure review is 'madness'
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PLANS which could see outside consultants hired to conduct a review of Moray Council's leisure estate have been branded "madness".
Last Wednesday saw a meeting of the full council look at several options after another internal leisure review is agreed.
Councillors heard that consultants I-ese had already conducted a review which had "identified risks" in the approach being taken by the local authority.
The report continued: "They [I-ese] consider that the level of council funding in this area warrants investigation of alternative options that may impact differently on future funding for leisure services.
"I-ese have proposed that a review is conducted to ensure that the evidence is in place to support consideration and determination of all of the options."
Buckie Conservative Councillor Tim Eagle accused the council's SNP administration of "running round in circles".
He continued: "Only three months ago the full council agreed a way forward for the leisure estate and staff have spent a lot of time progressing that with a review due early in 2019.
"However, despite an outcry by Conservatives, they agreed yet another internal review for the estate and potentially spending £50,000 on an external consultant cost to do the same work which has already been done.
"This simply is madness."
Buckie SNP Councillor Sonya Warren said the move was designed to ensure the best possible outcome for the region.
"We went with the I-ese recommendations to ensure what we do in future is watertight for the people of Moray," she told the Advertiser.
"Getting the best possible outcome is paramount for the SNP administration.
"It's essential that whichever strategies we do follow are based on the fullest possible information."
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