Talks start over Accord Day Centre row in Glasgow

The bitter row over the closure of a day care centre could see disabled adults move to a multimillion-pound swimming venue being built for the Commonwealth Games.

After months of wrangling, which pushed relations between the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council to breaking point, talks are under way to provide those still refusing to give up the Accord Centre in the city’s East End with new facilities at the £14million Tollcross Aquatic Centre.

First Minister Alex Salmond has written to council leader Gordon Matheson, claiming this would “provide a lasting and valuable legacy from the Games for this part of the local community”.

It follows talks in recent weeks between senior Government officials, the council’s head of social work and members of the East Carers’ Group, who are at the centre of the dispute with a feasibility study in the offing.

No move to the £14million refurbished Tollcross pool centre would take place until after 2014.

However, issues remain as to what will happen with the Accord Centre in the interim, although some service users have taken up the option of moving to an alternative venue close by.

In his letter to Gordon Matheson, Mr Salmond said: “I am encouraged by the fact a potential solution to incorporate day care services within the new Tollcross Aquatic Centre has been identified. While there is much work to be done to develop this proposal, the Scottish Government is happy to work with the council and East Carers to move this forward.”

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “It’s exceptionally helpful the carers have changed their position and now agree with the council and the Scottish Government that a community facility is an acceptable alternative to the Accord Centre.”