CLYDEBANK activists are fearful community centres could be set to close as it’s revealed they’re losing more than £840,000 a year.

This year’s West Dunbartonshire Council budget set a target of saving £130,000 by 2020/21 on 12 community facilities.

They pulled in more than £366,000 last year from 223 different groups, but cost £1.2million to run, a loss of more than £843,000.

A newly published report on “first stage engagement” in August found 168 people completed a survey on the spaces, with 105 residents attending “review discussions”.

Responses included how the community centres are the only resources to their areas but criticised the booking system and that spaces hadn’t been well looked after.

A meeting was held in Dalmuir Community Education Centre last week over the recent consultation, organised by the joint trade union.

The council’s engagement was described as a “pre-planned sham” and union officials called for the public to campaign against cuts and to lobby politicians to protect centres.

Activist Craig Edward, who spoke at the meeting, told the Post: “The council say they need to make £130,000 in savings and currently run a deficit more than £800,000.

“There is no doubt in my mind that they are setting this up to close community centres. They clearly have forgotten that community centres are not designed to make profits, their purpose is to serve the needs of our communities.”

A report will go to a council committee in November for councillors to “agree on the next stage of the review”.

Bailie Denis Agnew told the Post the community has “very good” facilities and he would like to see how the limited number of community transfers are faring.

He said: “Groups should have access to affordable and appropriate venues. I would be concerned of any loss to the council. There’s got to be a review of where those gaps are occurring and why.

“I’m all for getting best value for money and it’s important the council will look at every single recommendation.

“If that’s the level [of deficit] then some serious questions have to be asked about how this occurred in the first instance. We cannot withstand that kind of loss. We have to try to get to an even keel.

“It’s looking beyond party politics to find out what we are delivering for the people.”