Halls ownership changes move forward
TWO village halls in the Wigtownshire are one step closer to being community-owned after councillors supported proposals.
Members of the Wigtownshire Area Committee discussed two applications for the community asset transfer of Kirkcowan Hall and New Luce Memorial Hall at their meeting last Wednesday.
The Kirkcowan Hall, also known as St Couan’s Hall, has been in the care of the volunteer hall management committee since 2017, who have helped raise funds by holding events and fundraisers.
According to the group’s application, they would ‘deliver a first-class community facility for people within and outwith the community to use’.
The hall is used by a variety of groups in the village already, including the Rainbows, flower show, community council, U3A, carpet bowls and the fisheries board among others.
During the meeting councillors were asked to consider Kirkcowan Hall SCIO’s transfer request; consider the outcome of officer assessment of the request; note the outcome of the social value assessment of the proposed transfer, and consider and agree an option for recommendation to Economy and Infrastructure Committee later this month.
Speaking in favour of the proposal, Cllr Richard Marsh said: “This is my local village, I frequent the hall at least three times a month and I can tell you, from personal experience, it is falling to bits. From the outside the guttering is failing, it is in much need of full renovation outside. Inside in recent weeks it has developed a leak within the roof, we have constant issues with mould, the alarm system has not worked for a number of months.
“That being said, I think the community group could do a tremendous job with this community hall and the benefits this could provide as a community hub for Kirkcowan, the benefits are unlimited.”
Amidst the discussion, Cllr David Inglis proposed a £750 cap on legal fees for the group, which was seconded by Cllr Marsh.
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Thereafter the area committee moved on to discuss a similar proposal for the New Luce Memorial Hall.
The hall has been run by New Luce Memorial Hall SCIO since 2018, with a number of improvements carried out in that time. Now the volunteer management committee have asked to take on the hall fully in order ‘for the continued use of the building by community groups, for events to take place and for the hall to act as the community resilience centre, with the asset being financially viable through service delivery and grant funding.’
Councillors quickly agreed to support the proposal and move it forward.
Both proposals will go to the council’s economy and infrastructure committee on March 24 for the final stamp of approval.
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