Monday December 8th 2025
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans to ensure Scotland’s World Cup campaign leaves a lasting legacy in Midlothian are set to be put before councillors for approval later this month.
Calls for big screen events around the national team’s games next year, school projects and community events to boost interest in sport and raising additional income are being put forward.
A cross party motion calling on the local authority to not only congratulate the men’s team which has qualified for its first World Cup in 28 years, but draw up ways for families and local residents to get involved will be put to elected members.
The motion, signed by council leader Kelly Parry, Labour councillor Derek Milligan and Conservative councillor David Virgo, calls for officers to ensure the event creates a ‘lasting legacy’ for the county.
It calls for the chief executive and her team to “to take every practical opportunity to ensure residents across Midlothian can participate in the excitement of the tournament”.
It says officers should look into ways to work with schools to use the World Cup as a teaching resource promoting geography, culture and teamwork as well as highlighting the benefits of sport.
In sport and leisure centres they want them to arrange community events and programmes to encourage residents, particularly young people, to get involved in local football and other sports inspired by the national team’s success.
And it calls on officers to explore “commercial opportunities, including securing necessary licenses and partnerships, to host large-scale, family-friendly live stream viewing events at suitable council venues or public spaces, aimed at maximising income generation for reinvestment into local services and community projects”.
The motion says all the projects should be designed to create a lasting legacy of increased sports participation, improved community well-being and sustained educational interest.
If approve councillors will instruct officers to produce a report on the proposed programme of activity, costs and potential income.
You can read the councillors’ motion HERE.
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