Business as usual for voluntary sector with The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service

Service delivery contracts between the voluntary sector and the Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service will remain under the management of the Council when its Community Learning and Leisure (CLL) Service transfer to an arms length organisation (ALO).

Members of the Council’s ECS Committee have agreed to transfer its CLL Services to an ALO in the financial year 2011/12.

The payment of around £4.26 million and support provided through 68 service delivery contracts will remain under Highland Council management.

Forty two voluntary community organisations throughout the Highlands from youth groups, to 19 independent museums, Inverness leisure, Eden Court and the Averon Leisure Centre receive financial and general support from the Council.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “The Council’s funding support and relationship with many of these organisations needs a clear route of communication. Many of the organisations are at the heart of local communities and the Council’s support is at the root of keeping them going within their communities. We are clearly behind groups in the Highlands that make a real contribution to the area.”