Fifers are being given the chance to buy their community halls.
Nine halls are up for sale under a community ownership scheme being promoted by Fife Council. The local authority is inviting notes of interest from local groups and voluntary or not-for-profit organisations.
The halls and centres up for sale are Parkneuk Community Centre and Wellwood Community Centre in Dunfermline; Kinglassie Small Hall; Dunnikier OAP Centre in Kirkcaldy; Wayside Hall, Caskieberran Tenants’ Meeting Room and Macedonia Tenants’ Meeting Room in Glenrothes; Leslie Town Hall; and Free Gardeners Hall in Buckhaven.
The Leslie hall is common good property and any sale would have to be decided at the sheriff court.
Head of local and community services Joe Fitzpatrick said, “Asking local groups and organisations if they wish to take over the ownership of these halls and centres will help the council save money in this difficult financial climate, whilst making sure these facilities remain in our communities.
“We want to make sure the group or organisation buying any one of these halls or centres are properly equipped to do so, which is why we have a robust but fair application process in place and are asking interested parties to submit a range of detailed information. Early indications are that there is a healthy interest in this scheme.”
The council said the application process was “detailed”.
A purchase price equivalent to 2% of the open market value is sought. After a note of interest is recorded an application pack will be sent out.
Applicants will have to provide detailed information on their group or organisation including constitution, charitable status, financial records and business plan.
After the deadline an assessment panel will consider all the applications received.
Each application will be scored on a range of criteria and then reported to the respective area committee for comment before a final report to the council’s policy, finance and asset management committee.
If no groups or organisations express an interest, the halls would then be re-advertised for sale on the open market.
Furthermore, to ensure the buildings are kept for use by the community, the council will take them back if the groups fail to carry out their business plans effectively.