A DUNFERMLINE councillor wants an “urgent” meeting to discuss the financial troubles faced by Abbot House.

The city-centre attraction is out of “immediate danger” after reaching its £5000 survival target following a Press campaign but Neale Hanvey said he fears for its future.

The SNP councillor for Dunfermline Central said, “I have written to Councillor Helen Law and (locality manager) Joe McGuinness as I am particularly concerned that this matter has not made it on to the agenda of the City of Dunfermline area committee, or other key meetings.

“I am also disappointed that there has been no formal communication to elected members raising this concern or to seek our input to inform the best way to resolution.

“I have therefore suggested an urgent meeting be convened to examine the issue and put a robust plan in place to ensure the continuation of this historic landmark and visitor attraction.” After a Press campaign, Abbot House surpassed its initial £5000 target and director Catherine Gillies said last week that they hoped to raise a further £5000 to allow it to move forward.

However, she said a “reversion clause” – in the event of Abbot House going bust, the building reverts to Carnegie Dunfermline Trust or Fife Council – was preventing it becoming a “fully-functioning community organisation”.

She was also unhappy that the council wanted the final, and overdue, £3000 repayment of a £60,000 loan that dated back to 1995. Mr McGuinness had responded that the council had “gone to considerable lengths to shore up this organisation over an extended period” and that it was “only right that the council should be asking questions about money that is legitimately owed to us”.

Cllr Law, the chair of the area committee, said, “I have been aware of the difficulties around Abbot House for some time and there have been a number of meetings over the last few months to try and review the situation.

“We’re keen to work together to see how it can be taken forward as it is a very valuable asset in Dunfermline’s heritage offer and the last thing we would want is to lose that.

“It’s very important for the future of Abbot House that it works very closely with the new library and museum and we’ve spoken in general terms that when it’s all up and running we have common opening times and closer ties.

“I’m really keen to see Abbot House moving forward and happy to discuss how we do that.” In a letter, chairman Robin Arnott said the reversion clause “places an extraordinarily severe restriction on Abbot House’s activities” and that “developing the Heritage Quarter as a collaborative venture would bring immense benefits”.

He said, “As the lynchpin, Fife Council should charge its officials with developing a plan to make this happen and include, and support, Abbot House as a key partner in that plan.

“We should be aiming to make Dunfermline one of the ‘must-see’ visitor attractions in the country. Fife Council has the ability to make that happen. Does it have the will?” SNP parliamentary candidate, Douglas Chapman, said, “I am working to ensure we make the most of Dunfermline’s rich heritage.

“It is essential that we have a thoroughly thought-through and funded strategy to boost tourist numbers and make our city as attractive as possible for both visitors and locals.

“I intend to continue my discussions with Fife Council about Abbot House as this is one of our jewels in Dunfermline crown.

“Let’s not lose sight of the fabulous assets we have.”