New £2.7m centre '˜neglected' claim

Kirkintilloch East Councillor John Jamieson (SNP) says his pleas for the building and its grounds to be properly maintained have fallen on deaf ears.

He is appealing to East Dunbartonshire council officers to take steps to repair and treat the wood at the entrance to the building, to maintain the grass areas and to remedy poor drainage which he said has 
resulted in the gardens of neighbouring homes being flooded.

There is also a problem with mobile phone reception at the centre.

The angry councillor told the Herald: “This is an excellent centre with a great programme of activities for local people but the building and the grounds are not being maintained properly.

“An area at the back of the centre is like a swamp when it rains.

“There is also no proper drainage at a grass area which backs on to neighbouring houses and is causing flooding problems for tenants and home owners.”

Councillor Jamieson added: “I just feel Hillhead is being neglected again. Other more affluent wards in East Dunbartonshire just wouldn’t be expected to put up with this.”

But Grace Irvine, Director of Neighbourhood Services 
refuted Councillor Jamieson’s claim that the centre and the area are being neglected.

She said: “Hillhead Community Centre is a fantastic asset for the community of Hillhead.

“The repairs and maintenance regime for the property is the same for all buildings throughout East Dunbartonshire and the Centre will be kept at the high standard of condition it is in presently.

“The Council are fully aware of the issues with drainage and are in dialogue with the contractor to address these issues.

“Far from being neglected, Hillhead is the first of our communities to benefit from our Place approach to providing more joined-up and responsive public services that will help to regenerate communities and address inequality. It looks at prioritising and providing public services that respond to the specific needs and ambitions of a local community at the most local level to achieve better outcomes for the area.

“A number of family, sports, leisure, community support, and employability initiatives are already being delivered from the Centre.

“The new services will build on community empowerment, making for 
better services and 
an enhanced belonging.”