£81k savings after public hall review

South Ayrshire Council has set out its immediate plans for the ongoing review of community halls.

The council’s leadership panel will discuss the position this week, with the main focus on the approval of several agreements and plans across the area.

This includes recommendations for: a full repair and maintenance (FRM) lease for Ivy Cottage, Troon, a lease agreement for Prestwick Community Centre and a FRM lease for 65 Club, Prestwick.

Councillors will also look at development of opportunities for cultural and educational use in Loudon Hall, Ayr, and the relocation of existing lets; preparation of a FRM lease for Annbank Village Hall preparation of a FRM lease agreement at Claude

Hamilton, Coylton, and negotiation of and entering into a new lease agreement with Ballantrae Community Centre, and negotiation and approval of new lease agreement for Colmonell Community Centre.

The plan also includes the termination of leases at Loans Village Hall and McCandlish Hall, Straiton.

A report to the leadership panel states: “Reports on the review of existing management arrangements for community centres and village halls was presented to leadership panel in March and September 2021.

“These reports set out a range of proposals to review and amend these arrangements and meet previously agreed efficiency savings of £81,621.”

Officers have continued to meet community associations and groups responsible for managing community centres and have helped with risk assessments, management plans and helped to ensure compliance with Covid-19 guidance to allow centres to safely reopen.

The report states that council officers will ‘continue to work with community groups and organisations to reduce the operational costs in community centres and village halls’.

The council says it will consider any repairs required to buildings which may be funded through the Advancing Community Assets Fund to help secure a long-term lease for the building or a Community Asset Transfer (CAT).

They expect savings to be made through reduced running costs for community centres and village halls through the new hall management arrangements.

And it is understood that a follow- up report will be brought to the council in a year’s time.