Four redundancies at Edinburgh Scout centre as Covid lockdown forces cuts

FOUR staff are to be made redundant at the Scouts' Bonaly activity centre as the organisation cuts back operations due to the impact of the coronavirus lockdown.

Generations of young people have enjoyed time at Bonaly

An official review was launched into the operation of the 24-acre site at the foot of the Pentlands after all outdoor centres were forced to close because of the pandemic, cutting off vital income. The Scouts joined other youth organisations in making repeated requests to the Scottish Government for financial support but these were turned down.

Bonaly is to be kept as a Scout centre and two paid wardens will be retained, but a greater reliance will be placed on volunteers.

Generations of young people have camped at the site and enjoyed outdoor adventures at weekends and during holidays.

The centre currently has five permanent staff, one temporary staff and several contracted instructors. The centre had to close completely during the lockdown but has recently reopened for self-run activities, though no residential visits can take place.

In an update explaining the outcome of the review, John Cannon, chair of South East Scotland Scouts, and Peter Casebow, chair of the review team, say Bonaly will “remain at the heart of South East Scotland Region and our future plans”.

They say: "The review concluded that the centre should continue to operate as a Scout Centre and recognised the importance that it holds for many members of Scouting within South East Scotland and further afield.

“However, the review team also recognised that the current operating model in place at the Bonaly Scout Centre is unsustainable and a new operating model will have to be implemented.”

They said a consultation had taken place with staff, instructors and volunteers. “Throughout the consultation period the review team and the regional executive committee have looked for alternatives that would reduce the number of compulsory redundancies required. Sadly however, following the consultation, the only viable option available to ensure the future of the centre was to proceed with implementing the new operating model and as a result four of the current staff roles will be made redundant by the end of 2020.

“We are working closely with affected staff to support them as much as possible during this difficult time and would like to thank them for the professional, understanding and constructive approach that they have taken throughout the review and consultation processes.”

The update says the new operating model for the centre will have two paid wardens supported by an Active Support Unit, covering a range of activities from volunteer-led activities, site servicing through to finance.

"We are pleased that the current centre manager, Mark Campbell and site manager Barry Johnston have indicated that they intend to take up these roles and so will be remaining at Bonaly Scout Centre to take forward the new operating model.

“Bonaly Scout Centre is recognised as a valuable Regional asset for Scouting and remains at the heart of South East Scotland Region. The plan that has been created aims to ensure that Bonaly remains an exciting place for young people and leaders to visit and to undertake their Scout-focused outdoor programme going forward, continuing to provide the opportunities for fun and adventure that many members have experienced during visits to the centre over the years.”

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