Sir, – Perth and Kinross Council has, in a rather high-handed manner, announced the closure of Letham community centre in Perth as of August 2017 to create a well-being hub.
It appears this decision has been made by officials without consulting the local councillors, let alone the community.
As I understand it, residents raised £50,000 to enable this facility to be established in 1992, as a result of the vision of local councillor David White.
Surely, therefore, the community has to have a large input into any plans the council may have for this building.
I go to two fitness classes at Letham aimed at more senior citizens, but open to all.
Both are extremely well attended whatever the weather. They encourage a healthy lifestyle not only improving physical fitness but also providing psychological, mental health and social benefits.
There are almost daily warnings about the dangers of obesity, diabetes, lack of exercise and the drain on the NHS and social care by the elderly, yet the council is going to deprive this group of residents of the facility that enables them to keep as fit and healthy as they can.
Given that many of the ladies walk to the community centre at the moment, no provision has been offered to them to continue their fitness classes locally.
Why does all of the building have to be closed in August?
If the council can redevelop local schools and the pupils can continue to attend classes on site, then why can the same not be done in this instance? Keep parts of the building open while it is being renovated.
When we are finally consulted by the council, let’s hope they do not arrive with closed ears and will listen to the concerns of the community and recognise the value of this centre to this area.
Barbara Brown.
Kirklands of Damside,
Auchterarder.
SNP should use its new powers
Sir, – I was contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions to apply for personal independence payment and, with the help of an agency, returned my form.
I received a letter from ATOS, despite making it clear on the form I was unable to travel due to anxiety, expecting me to attend an assessment centre 20 miles away.
What really infuriates me is that the SNP for years has been complaining about the treatment of benefit claimants by ATOS and the Westminster Government and the poverty encountered by them because of Conservative reforms to benefits, yet has failed the poor in this in by asking Westminster to delay giving it powers of handling the responsibility of these benefits until 2020 because it has not got the proper systems in place.
Gordon Kennedy.
117 Simpson Square,
Perth.
Take the bus to Ninewells
Sir, – Am I alone in finding it astounding that people complain about car parking charges at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee when we in this country are so privileged to have a National Health Service that gives us free treatment?
Beyond that, I do believe that most people within Dundee, unless disabled, could perfectly well use our excellent bus service, as I do.
Why don’t they give access badges to those from outside Dundee so that only they can use the car park? I know this will offend our car-besotted society but that is their problem.
Antony Black,
79 Blackness Avenue,
Dundee.
Exemplary governance
Sir, – The recent selection of anti-SNP letters featured in these pages complain of poor government. They are correct. Scotland is poorly governed and has been for generations.
Sadly, the correspondents, in a desperate attempt to deflect attention from the real culprits, employ the “too wee, too poor, too stupid” meme to attack the most capable governing body in the UK.
They refuse to address the amateurish shambles enveloping the Westminster unionist establishment. Scots have suffered the consequences of London rule on many occasions before, but Brexit is in a league of its own.
Scots have been incredibly patient with Westminster’s ruinous rule, but the Supreme Court ruling put the final nail in the coffin containing all the promises made in 2014. Westminster is stretching that patience to breaking point.
We were a respected and treasured equal partner in 2014, now we are ignored by an establishment that has a long track record of lying to Scots.
Respect is a word much used by unionists at all levels. It is high time Scotland’s democratic choices were shown the respect they deserve.
Ken Clark.
335 King Street,
Broughty Ferry.
Turn down referendum
Sir, – So, as members of the SNP “leak” that Nicola Sturgeon is to demand a second referendum next autumn, how, by then, will Scots know what we’re supposed to be voting about?
Ms Sturgeon postures she is being forced into staging a referendum because Westminster refuses to act on her unrealistic Brexit conditions
Despite Brussels and many European nations making clear they’re only interested in negotiating with Westminster and reject the SNP’s EU stance, Ms Sturgeon contends we must vote to leave the UK before the UK leaves the EU.
But a vote next year will be before we have any clear idea what a post-Brexit world looks like in terms of our trading relationship with the EU and indeed with elsewhere in the world.
Ms Sturgeon has a vested interest in a second referendum being held way before any of us can make an informed decision on which is the better prospect, the UK or some distant prospect, and at considerable cost, of one day becoming a member of the EU.
She intends to exploit uncertainty.
Should Ms Sturgeon formally approach Theresa May to demand a referendum it must be hoped Westminster will insist any vote is held after the UK leaves the EU in spring 2019. Only by then, will voters be in a position to decide what is best for Scotland.
Martin Redfern.
4 Royal Circus,
Edinburgh.
Scots should accept Brexit
Sir, – I am at a loss to understand why so many Scottish politicians are demanding Scotland should have a voice in the Brexit negotiations.
The Scottish people decided in 2014 that they did not want such a voice, and they were content to continue to subjugate their own views and let England decide such momentous matters for them.
You may not like the decision, I certainly don’t, but that is democracy.
Theresa May has had to accept a referendum decision she did not support. It is time Scottish politicians did the same.
Laurie Richards.
100 Crail Road,
Cellardyke.
