D-day for Old Town Hall bid

DECISIONS about the future of Newton Stewart’s Old Town Hall will be made by councillors next week.

Members of Wigtown Area Committee will be discussing the community asset transfer application from the Newton Stewart Initiative (NSI) for a 25-year lease of the ground floor of the Old Town Hall.

They want to take on the space to turn it into a multi-use information point for the town.

During the meeting councillors will be asked to consider the request based on information provided by council officers; as well as considering the outcome of an officer assessment in relation to the requirement to meet best value; also, to note the outcome of the social value assessment of the proposed transfer; and determine the request for immediate access to the building.

If approved, it would allow the charity to develop a wider programme of support for the community and visitors.

The initiative’s proposal for the transfer states: “The activities we will offer have been determined by community consultation so the result will be a building providing support and information that the community and visitors want and need.

“NSI intend turning the ground floor of the Old Town Hall into a central information point for the town. The facility will serve as a local job centre, events information office, meeting room and tourist information point for the Cree Valley and wider Machars area. It will also be NSI’s main office.

“The upper floor will remain with Dumfries and Galloway Council as a snooker club.”

Councillors will also be asked to consider and agree an option from three listed to go forward as their recommendation to the economy and infrastructure committee on September 2.

However, council officials are backing the bid and say of it: “This proposal is strong and links with the themes of our council plan, particularly economy, education and learning and health and wellbeing. Tackling poverty and employability also feature in the plan. Furthermore, it directly supports our council’s principle to support communities. Empowering communities and individuals: empower customers, communities and staff and build skills and confidence to enable people and communities to achieve their ambitions.”

The meeting of Wigtown Area Committee will take place on Friday August 22 from 11 am.