Fife Council is planning an overhaul of the region’s trusts in a move to safeguard its seven local authority owned golf courses.
The proposals would see Fife Golf Trust (FGT) merged with Fife Sports and Leisure Trust (FSLT).
Merging FGT, which is responsible for the council’s five 18-hole and two 9-hole golf courses, with FSLT would safeguard the future of facilities while achieving a “modest” saving of £75,000 a year, said a report to the community and housing services committee.
A review of FGT’s performance over 2016-17 revealed it was becoming “increasingly difficult” to sustain the golf courses as funding dwindles.
FGT took over the management of the council’s golf courses in 2011.
Under the shake-up, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust (FCCT) would also take on the management of council-owned grasslands and woodlands.
Councillors have given the go-ahead for proposals to be developed which would leave Fife with three trusts – FSLT, FCCT and Fife Cultural Trust – instead of four.
There was said to be “positive interest” in the three trust option within FSLT and FGT.
The report to the committee said: “The four trust model has served Fife well, and the trusts have achieved much in relation to service development and income generation.
“However, all now face challenging financial circumstances, and are seeking to make savings through extensive business transformation projects, management restructuring, income generation, incremental efficiencies and service expansions.
“There is thus a clear rationale for looking at new models to enable the sustainability of these valuable services.”
The four trusts were established by the council between 2001 and 2012.
Each trust is a registered charity regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator.
