Positive future for key council buildings
Significant progress is being made to secure the future of several key properties identified in Falkirk Council's Strategic Property Review (SPR).
According to an update report to be presented to Falkirk Council on Thursday (30 January), the newly formed Grangemouth Community Sports Trust has submitted a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application for Grangemouth Stadium.
Set up by Scottish Athletics, the trust is seeking to manage the facility under a Full Repair and Insuring licence from 1 April 2025, which would keep the stadium open while the application progresses.
The report also highlights good progress is being made to relocate the Inclusion and Wellbeing Service to the Dawson Centre and Excellence in Childcare Centre. This move will transform the building into modern facilities for pupils and staff while ensuring community access outside school hours.
Meanwhile, plans are underway to retain Stenhousemuir Gym, with the Council set to enter a new five-year lease from August 2025. Investment will also be made in the Mariner Centre and Larbert High School to accommodate gymnastics activities relocating from Carron Gymnastics Centre.
Supporting community ownership
In total, 27 CAT transfers have been submitted during Phase 2 of the SPR, with 21 buildings being managed by community groups under Full Repair and Insuring Licences while their applications progress.
Work with local communities is still ongoing to encourage CAT applications from several other properties, including the Slamannan Community Education Centre, with council officers hopeful a group will step forward to secure the building’s future as a partnership centre.
By streamlining its property portfolio, the SPR is enabling the Council to focus resources on maintaining a smaller number of modern, efficient buildings, which supports both financial sustainability and the Council’s environmental goals.
Financial and environmental savings
It’s projected that by 2028/29, the SPR will deliver a net annual saving of £3,338,030 and reduce the need for around £29 million in capital investment to address backlog maintenance in council buildings.
It is also projected to reduce the Council’s carbon emissions by 2,316 tonnes, representing a reduction of 14.8%.
Recognising that carbon will still be emitted from buildings transferring to community ownership, the Council launched the Capital Enablement Fund to help improve the energy efficiency of CAT buildings, ensuring carbon savings can still be achieved across the area.
To date, £512,000 from the £3 million fund has been allocated to support groups with repairs and improvements including new heating systems and the installation of solar panels.
Almost £110,000 from the Community Empowerment Fund has also been awarded to 14 groups to help them overcome barriers to growth and development and access legal fees and expert advice.
Malcolm Bennie, Director of Place Services, said: "I’m delighted to see Falkirk Council setting the standard in Scotland for Community Asset Transfer by providing unparalleled support to community groups.
“We are the only Council offering extensive professional and financial assistance to help groups take on and enhance assets they value. Support includes independent expert advice to strengthen business cases and develop plans to improve the energy efficiency of buildings being transferred.
“We also ensure buildings are wind and watertight before transfer, while our £3m Enablement Fund provides groups with capital investment to improve properties and unlock match funding.
“This comprehensive support package is helping to give confidence to community groups that they can take ownership of buildings and promote community empowerment while enabling the Council to reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and prioritise investment in modern, efficient properties.
“It is now for Elected Members to decide if they wish to proceed with the recommendations set out or to proceed with a different approach."