A NEW swimming and leisure facility to replace services lost when Inverkeithing and Woodmill High Schools close could be created after councillors agreed a £985m investment programme for the next ten years.

At a full meeting of Fife Council on Thursday, a capital strategy and spending programme until 2033 was approved.

One-off projects listed – at an overall cost of £19m – include the provision of swimming and leisure facilities in West Fife.

A £2m allocation for a new community hub in Dalgety Bay has also been included as well as money to look at problem flooding in Rosyth and cash to improve parking at Kelty community centre.

Dunfermline Press: Those behind plans for a new community hub in Dalgety Bay have welcomed Fife Council's £985m

The decision on capital spend had been deferred from the council's February budget meeting to give time to consider the significant impact of rising costs associated with inflation, interest rates and supply chain challenges.

Fife Council Leader David Ross said: "Our capital programme represents a significant level of investment of around £1bn over the next 10 years, for schools, roads, community facilities, care homes, business and development infrastructure and mitigating the impacts of climate change."

"The costs of projects already in our capital plan have risen by over £200 million and we've had to look again at what is affordable.

"What we've agreed today with our colleagues across the political spectrum is an affordable capital plan, but we're all agreed that there are continuing challenges. That's why this plan will be regularly monitored and reviewed to make sure Fifers are getting value for money."

The national financial picture means that the plan has to be flexible and the timing of some projects might need to change. Against the background of rising costs a number of projects face continuing uncertainty and possible delays.

"These continuing uncertainties mean that we will have to delay decisions on some major investments until the Autumn and it is likely that we will have another significant review of the plan in 2024-25," added Cllr Ross.

"However, it is important that we agree a firm plan now to move forward with our key aims of tackling poverty and supporting vulnerable people, supporting the local economy and addressing the challenges of climate change.

"The significant level of investment we're making will also make a major contribution towards community wealth building."

"The plan also includes £14.9m investment to help address climate change issues, including the pathway towards net zero in both non-domestic and business buildings," said Cllr Ross.

"We're refreshing our climate change action plan, and this will guide future investment priorities.

"In the short term, we will invest £0.500m in a flood fund through the Flood Forum, to help residents who are severely impacted by regular flooding. Flood studies will be taken forward for Rosyth and Valley Gardens, Kirkcaldy, and investment to bring forward work to address flooding at Freuchie Mill is included in the overall climate change programme.

"Significant investment is also being made on roads over the next two years. The next review of the capital plan will consider options to maintain this level of investment over the longer term.

"Additional investment of £2m each will be allocated to the development of the planned community hubs for Dalgety Bay and Glenwood, Glenrothes as part of the regeneration initiative. It is hoped that this investment will allow the leverage of additional external funding into these projects.

"New investment of £0.500m and £0.250m respectively will be made in upgrading and required additional car parking for Sandy Brae and Kelty community centres.

"Community facilities in Lochgelly will benefit too, and £250k will be invested in completing outstanding environmental improvements in Kirkcaldy town centre.

"We will continue to work through the challenges today's financial climate brings to make sure the investment decisions we make are right for Fifers, now and in the future."

Phil Evans, Chair of Dalgety Community Trust, welcomed the including of the money for a new community hub in Dalgety Bay.

"This is fantastic news, and a clear recognition of the need to invest in new community facilities for our town. The Trust is committed to continuing to work closely with our community and the council to bring this to life," he said.

"There is a lot of work yet to do and the new hub will eventually cost in the region of £5m, but this is a major step forward. The Trust is currently working with a team of architects and engineers to prepare architectural options for the new hub which we will be sharing with the community over the summer."

Liberal Democrat councillor James Calder was pleased that funding has been set aside which can be considered for new swimming facilities.

“In recent months local councillors have repeatedly made the case for new swimming facilities in West Fife," he said. "With the loss of the Woodmill facility and the threat of loss of the Inverkeithing pool, alongside problems at the Carnegie Leisure Centre, the situation is becoming critical.

“I am pleased that after I made the case along with Liberal Democrat colleagues for the need for funding to be set aside that the Administration agreed. Hopefully we can see plans developed in the near future."