Walk out leaves Go Glenrothes on the brink

Leslie Bain will have no further involvement in the group, following a heated committee meeting this week in which he tendered his immediate resignation, just 11 months after taking the position.

The Gazette understands Mr Bain has been left frustrated over the lack of progress regarding a number of Go Glenrothes initiatives planned to follow on from the launch event, the Johnny Cash art competition.

Little or no progress has been made on plans to host a German-themed Christmas Market, as well as a high profile Hogmanay event in the town, which has forced Mr Bain to quit his position.

His resignation has plunged the Go project into disarray and has left questions over the long term future of the project, set up in 2015, to give the town an online presence. It was also supposed to build up momentum for the town’s 70th birthday in 2018 with an events strategy leading up to the celebrations.

Mr Bain remained largely tight lipped over his departure but told the Gazette: “Following differences of opinion over the future direction and commitment of Go Glenrothes to a number of high profile planned events, it is maybe the right time to step aside and allow others to take the organisation forward.

“I’ve enjoyed my involvement in Go Glenrothes and wish those fellow volunteers the best of success with it in the future.”

Mr Bain’s resignation is the latest in a series of setbacks for the arms-length organisation set up with £50,000 of Fife Council funding.

The council initially faced criticism over the delay in getting the project up and running, despite the funding having been agreed.

And within weeks of forming a management committee, chairman Dr Bob Grant and committee member Linda Ballingall had also quit because of differences over Fife Council’s commitment to, and involvement in, the Go project.

Despite forming a replacement committee, it also failed to secure further financial support from local businesses that would in turn have released a second £50,000 funding commitment from Fife Council.

An emergency meeting is being held later this week to elect a new chairman but it’s understood there is nobody currently willing to take on the role, leaving further uncertainty.

However, Norman Laird, Fife Council’s area manager for Glenrothes, who thanked Mr Bain for his involvement, remains confident the organisation would continue.

“Go Glenrothes is pushing ahead with plans for next year including the return of the comedy and science festivals,” he said.

“And in partnership with the Fife Cultural Trust, they will also be bringing the first ever comic book convention, Kingdom Con, to the Rothes Halls next summer.

“Go Glenrothes will also continue to support the Glenrothes Teenage Market.”