Glasgow City Council has considered plans to deliver the first phase of new community hubs across the city, which is expected to cost £20m
These community hubs will be single locations from which multiple council and partner services will be accessed and delivered.
It is proposed that the development of new community hubs is initially focused on the following council wards: Baillieston; Calton; Canal; Drumchapel/Anniesland; Greater Pollok and Pollokshields.
A programme of community engagement will take place to identify what services local people and organisations need in their area. These community engagement sessions will link in with existing structures such as local community planning groups and citizens panels.
Four of the wards where the hubs will be established are existing pilot areas for Participatory Budgeting, focusing on themes to address poverty and inequality.
Two specific examples as to how these community hubs will host a range of uses that meet local needs while supporting regeneration can be found in Baillieston and Drumchapel – in Baillieston, the council has a long-standing commitment to deliver new sports facilities in James Lindsay Park, which will be supported by an additional £6.5m. This presents the opportunity to co-locate/co-create other services relevant to the needs of the local community.
While in Drumchapel, the decision on where best to locate the community hub will be informed by how local commercial, community and housing needs can be aligned with the aspirations and needs of the community.
There will also be ongoing work to identify locations for future community hubs in other areas in Glasgow as part of the council’s Property and Land Strategy.
Councillor Greg Hepburn, chair of Glasgow City Council’s neighbourhoods, housing and public realm city policy committee, said: “These proposals would deliver a new model of community service provision that best meets the needs and convenience of Glaswegians, bringing local services together into one accessible space.
“This £20m investment will be the first stage in transforming how people access these services in Glasgow, and the new community hubs will play a key role in regenerating the six areas identified – as well as providing a sustainable future for the Dalmarnock Legacy Hub. Future hubs in other parts of the city will play a similar role in bringing these social and economic benefits all across Glasgow.”
