Resigning Hollies official says £30k grant ‘prolonging the inevitable’

The remaining members of the facility’s board of trustees are arranging the discussion to generate ideas and answer questions.

This follows the resignation of Mary McClymont, who described last week’s £30,000 award from the Musselburgh Common Good Fund to the Hollies as wrong and “simply prolonging the inevitable”.

Meanwhile, hub manager Liz Shannon has also accepted redundancy after 12 years of service.

In a statement to the Courier, the remaining members of the board of trustees said that they were “pleased” with the £30,000 award, adding: “This award is a lifeline and work is ongoing to put in place new board members whilst keeping the Hollies open and serving older people and those in need of support in and around the Musselburgh conurbation.

READ MORE: Another lifeline for the Hollies

“The board is meeting regularly and working tirelessly with the dedicated Hollies staff to address the financial challenges and keep the building open.

“We have had many expressions of support from individuals and groups and are very grateful for this.

“We will endeavour to keep the public updated with a fast changing situation.”

Ms Shannon (pictured below) told the Courier that it was “time to go”, adding: “I have enjoyed my time at the Hollies.

“It has been fantastic and I have met some fantastic people – staff, volunteers and customers.

“I wish the Hollies all the best for the future and hope it can become sustainable.”

She said her partner of 25 years, Alan Proudfoot, had died at home in August from a terminal illness.

'Simply prolonging the inevitable'

Meanwhile, Mary McClymont, who resigned as chairperson of the Hollies board after 16 months, said: “I chose to step down for a number of reasons; however, primarily for its lack of sustainability.

“The Hollies have only managed to get a small amount of funding after the Covid lockdowns.

“The Hollies is simply not a viable going concern and will struggle to get funding in the future, and the Common Good Fund simply cannot continue to provide funding, when the money could go to better use elsewhere within the town.

“In addition, statements have been made that it will become self-sustainable in three years are factually inaccurate, as there is no evidence of becoming self-sustainable and no cohesive plan to do so.

“I firmly believe the recent decision by the Common Good Fund was wrong.

“The grant is simply prolonging the inevitable and it is not an appropriate use of this funding.”

She paid tribute to Ms Shannon, saying: “Liz was doing a great job attempting to keep the doors open during the difficult cost-of-living crisis last winter and that simply hasn’t gone away.”

Staff of the much-loved hub for the over-60s had been told at an emergency meeting recently that they would be made redundant and it would close on November 2.

READ MORE: Hollies to close permanently on November 2

The centre, which has been operating since 1962, has been plagued with funding problems in recent years and its old building is in need of expensive repairs.

The hub is responsible for maintenance of the building, which is leased from East Lothian Council.

As a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, it is independently run and relies on funding from outside agencies to allow it to provide its cafe and five-day-a-week lunch club, as well as transport.

Supporters of the facility say it provides a lifeline to senior community members and prevents loneliness and isolation.

In April last year, it received £32,000 from Musselburgh Common Good Fund, administered by the town’s four ward councillors, to tide it over for a few months after its future looked bleak.

But despite fundraising efforts since then and backing from the community, including a petition to keep it open, the Hollies has struggled to meet its overheads and the situation reached crisis point when an application for a £40,500 grant from the Common Good Fund was rejected earlier this month.

Viability concerns

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Whilst noting concerns about the ongoing viability of the Hollies, the Musselburgh Common Good committee felt that a grant of £30,000 would provide an opportunity for the board to demonstrate that these concerns could be addressed going forward.

“The committee also agreed a recommendation should be made to the Hollies to engage with Volunteer Centre East Lothian and the council’s economic development team to develop a sustainable business plan and consider their ongoing management arrangements.

“Elected members then considered this matter at last Tuesday’s full council meeting. This is because decisions for Common Good grant awards in excess of £10,000 require to be referred to a full meeting of East Lothian Council for a decision. At the full council meeting, elected members considered the matter and approved a grant of £30,000 to the Hollies.”

A spokesperson for East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) said: “ELHSCP is pleased to learn the Hollies has been granted additional funding to continue delivering their community lunch and transport service for the people of Musselburgh and beyond. ELHSCP additionally supports the recommendation for the Hollies to engage with the Volunteer Centre East Lothian and the council’s economic development so it can develop sustainable business practices for the future.

“Musselburgh benefits from the provision of a dedicated ‘meeting centre’ which offers tailored support for people with mild to moderate dementia, their carers and families. Applications are also currently being sought for the delivery of a new older people day service in Musselburgh which will provide a blended model of high-quality centre-based and outreach community support for older adults with complex needs, regulated by the Care Inspectorate.”

The Musselburgh Meeting Centre is managed and run by Dementia Friendly East Lothian, supported with funds from ELHSCP.