Moray residents will get the chance to shape the future of sport and leisure facilities across the region next month.
In the latest stage of Moray Council’s review of sport, leisure and recreation provisions, which began in November last year, a number of proposals have been approved.
In July, council leader Allan Wright warned local communities that they would have to “use or lose” facilities as the local authority need to save £6million from its £266million annual budget over the next two years to balance its books.
Yesterday, councillor Wright said that nothing has been ruled in or ruled out yet, and he hopes that people will continue to take a “use it or lose it” approach to the forthcoming meetings.
Mr Wright said he hopes that a proactive community effort will mean that there will be no unwelcome surprises once cash-saving measures opted for come into effect.
He added: “This is an important stage in the process. We have had an initial report, which made some recommendations, which said nothing will be closed or radically affected in the next 12 months, so we can have these conversations with people, who will actually be using the facilities.
“The business of the council means we must make savings of £6million in the next two years, and that money has to be saved one way or another.
“This isn’t a token consultation. It’s a real consultation, and the information gathered will all be collated and considered when we make a final decision in a year’s time.”
In July, a number of recommendations to save cash were made as part of the review, including turning the temperatures down at the region’s swimming pools.
It was also suggested reviewing staffing arrangements at community centres and sports halls to see if there was any scope for job sharing.
Elgin City North councillor Barry Jarvis said: “These meetings will be very important.
“We are looking at pricing structures, a pre-paid card roll-out system across a wider range of facilities, and opening and closing times.
“We are discussing a number of quite innovative procedures to get people in the doors of these facilities.
“In about a year, we will see the proof in the pudding and whether it has improved the situation.”