Kilmarnock park cafe plans to go ahead as 'paper exercise' accusation addressed

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The transfer of Old Men’s Cabin to create a wellbeing cafe will go ahead after a bid to block it was rejected and councillors agreed a compromise.Residents near Kilmarnock’s Howard Park had objected to the move, but many were based on inaccurate information around the treatment and support of drug addicts and ex-offenders at the proposed facility.The issue is the result of incorrect information being published on an external funder’s website, outlining the work of Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust (KSRHT), which included these groups.However, the service will only involve counselling people with low to moderate issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression.The decision was called in by Labour and Conservative councillors, who had argued that the concerns of residents hadn’t been addressed by Cabinet, when it approved the transfer in January.Labour group leader, councillor Maureen McKay said this jeopardised Kilmarnock Station Railway Heritage Trust’s (KSRHT) plans.Almost five hours were spent discussing the matter at Thursday’s Governance and Scrutiny Committee.Cllr McKay said there were a number of issues around the transfer, including.Committee chair, Labour Councillor Lillian Jones, asked whether the continued claims around ex-offenders and addicts could be deemed ‘misinformation’ when it had been sourced via the funder’s website.Chief Governance Officer, David Mitchell, suggested that, irrespective of the source, there was a question whether those pushing the claim, despite being made aware of updated information, could be accused of spreading misinformation.Councillor William Lennox asked Cllr McKay what specific concerns had not been addressed, given the cabinet report had covered the types of counselling