Pictured: Polmonthill Ski Centre.

A meeting of Falkirk Council’s Executive heard how each of the four properties were either 'sold’ or "leased" for a nominal value of £1 each with additional financial support provided through the Council’s Enablement Fund to assist with necessary building upgrades.

The Fund will help the new owners make their buildings more sustainable and include proposals to upgrade heating systems, improve energy efficiency, and carrying out planned building improvements.

Community ownership

The properties transferred are:

• Limerigg Community Hall (pictured above): Transfer via ownership to Limerigg Action Group SCIO, with up to £135,000 enabling support to fund solar panels, heating upgrades, and building planned improvements to ensure the hall remains a vital community hub.
• Bainsford Community Hall: Transfer to a local community group via a 25-year lease, with up to £150,000 allocated for roof improvements, insulation, and safety improvements, creating more welcoming and functional spaces.
• Brightons Community Hall: Will be handed over under a 20-year lease to another local community group, supported by up to £125,000 of enabling support for new heating systems, lighting improvements, and building upgrades to enhance its useability.
• Polmonthill Ski Centre: Transfer to local snow sports and recreation group, with up to £175,000 in funding to improve infrastructure, boost energy efficiency, renovate an existing underutilised building and improve the wider site.

Community Asset Transfer

The CAT programme is part of the Council’s Strategic Property Review, which supports the empowerment of community groups to operate and manage buildings for the local community. This will also help deliver financial savings to Falkirk Council given the current budget deficit.

Many properties included in the review were identified as old, underutilised, expensive to run and maintain, and needing modernisation. Through CAT, community groups can request to take ownership or management responsibility of public assets to manage them in ways that meet local priorities with each group demonstrating its ability to operate and maintain the facility.

Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, Leader of Falkirk Council said: “Community Asset Transfers are a key part of our approach to ensuring that properties are used effectively.

"Transferring ownership to local groups unlocks the potential of these spaces, enabling organisations to take control and deliver activities and services that matter most to their communities.

"The financial support through the Enablement Fund is critical to ensure these properties are, energy-efficient, meet community aspirations and sustainable in the long term."