This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Sportscotland heads west
18/05/2006
Scottish Ministershave concluded following an option appraisal that sportscotland's headquarters should relocate to the east end of Glasgow.
The national sports agency will be sited within the new National Indoor Sports Arena which is being built as part of the Executive's National and Regional Sports Facilities Strategy.
The move will affect 133 staff and will take place as soon as the building is ready with the arena scheduled for completion by Autumn 2009.
Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said:
"I am convinced that relocating sportscotland to Glasgow is the right move for our national sports agency.
"I also understand the concerns of sportscotland staff who face the upheaval of relocating to Glasgow, but I believe it presents an exciting opportunity that will allow sportscotland to develop and influence the future of sport in Scotland.
"It is good news for the east end of Glasgow - an area with pressing social and economic needs. It is important that our national sports agency plays a central role in preparations for the London Olympics in 2012 and helps Glasgow secure the 2014 Commonwealth Games."
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair of sportscotland, said:
"Now that a decision has been made by Ministers, we will work closely with the Scottish Executive and our staff to discuss how a move to Glasgow can be implemented in the best interests of Scottish sport.
"As the national agency for sport, our role is to lead and develop sport in Scotland. We are at an exciting yet critical time for Scottish sport with a London Olympics in 2012 and a potential Commonwealth Games in 2014.
"We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the face of Scottish sport and we will do everything possible to ensure we are in a position to fully capitalise on this."
Stephen Purcell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
"I am delighted that sportscotland will be relocating to Glasgow. I see this as a great coup for a city with a proud sporting heritage, and exciting sporting opportunities in the future.
"Let me assure sportscotland staff who have, quite understandably, aired concerns that they will be welcomed with open arms to Glasgow.
"They will all play an instrumental role in shaping Scotland's ambitious bid to bring the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow."
Derek Casey, Director of the Glasgow 2014 Bid Team, said:
"The decision demonstrates a vital commitment to Scotland's bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Sportscotland's new location will act as a hub for the future development of sport at all levels across the whole of Scotland."
The relocation appraisal looked at both the economic case and the specific relocation criteria. The economic case examined and compared the capital and revenue costs of the different options over a 25 year period. It showed that relocation to Glasgow would provide better value for money than remaining at Caledonia House.
The assessment of the relocation criteria looked at socio-economic and business efficiency factors. The Glasgow option scored particularly highly for socio-economic factors and scored the highest overall for the combined score.
The Executive's policy on relocation, which was introduced in September 1999, aims to ensure that government in Scotland is more efficient and decentralised, providing cost-effective delivery solutions and assisting areas with social and economic needs.
To-date, over 2,000 posts have been located or relocated outwith Edinburgh and around a further 900 posts have had their future location decided. There are around 1,500 posts currently under review.