A Commonwealth Games legacy project in Glasgow is having its £1.3million lottery award reviewed amid a row over alleged nepotism.

The Big Lottery Fund is examining its funding to a Trust that runs the Dalmarnock Legacy Hub in the city’s east end.

SNP MSP John Mason said local people would be “disappointed, but not surprised” at the turn of events.

The Hub, opened last year by football legend Kenny Dalglish, provides nursery, GP, dental and pharmacy services under one roof, as well as providing training facilities to locals.

Run by the People’s Development Trust (PDT), the project received £2.05m from the Scottish Government, £1.23m from Clyde Gateway, £1,295,000 from the Big Lottery Fund, as well as securing the land for its building from Glasgow City Council.

A key figure at the Trust is local Labour councillor Yvonne Kucuk, who commands a salary in the region of £35,000, while another party councillor, Maureen Burke, also has a job there.

However, the Trust has been dogged by internal tensions and rows between key figures.

BACKGROUND TO THE ROW

Reverend Alison Davidge quit as chair last year, as did other board members, and there has been controversy over governance and hiring.

Kucuk’s cousin Alan Kennedy was appointed to the PDT board in 2011, left in July 2014, after which his son Robert joined. The councillor’s husband is also working at the Hub on the catering side.

It has now emerged that the BLF, which awards grants to UK organisations to improve their communities, is checking its original investment, which was awarded in October 2014.

Around £840,000 of the award was to part fund the costs of the Hub’s construction and £455,000 was for 4 years’ operating costs.

According to the BLF, the review was triggered in October when Davidge contacted the lottery body about the board resignations.

Picture: the opening of the Hub. Cllr Kucuk is second on the right

In 2014, when the grant was announced, BLF chair Maureen McGinn stated: “The new Dalmarnock Legacy Hub is a wonderful example of a community owned and managed project that will have a huge impact on the regeneration of this part of Glasgow’s east end.”

At the time, Kucuk said: “This award really is a dream come true - one which will allow us to deliver on our ambition to create a lasting legacy from the 2014 Games.”

It was also reported by this newspaper that a complaint had been made to the city council’s internal audit division about the Trust.

Mason said: “I welcome any outside body looking into this funding issue and I believe the Big Lottery Fund will be thorough and neutral. Audit Scotland might also want to carry out its own examination. Locals will be disappointed, but not surprised, at these latest developments.”

A spokesperson for the BLF said: “In relation to the Dalmarnock Legacy Hub, we are currently reviewing with them the use of our funds that have contributed to the building of the Centre and its ongoing activity. Our staff have been in regular discussion with the project, and also with other funders, to ensure funds are used well and to provide any necessary support to the community led Board who are responsible for the facility.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the People’s Trust to support them to deliver the Legacy Hub and local services for the local community. The Scottish Government has robust grant management and project monitoring systems in place: regular monitoring reports are required as part of the conditions of grant and checks are in place to ensure funding drawn down is for appropriate project-specific activity.”

Kucuk did not respond the emails.