The sale of New Galloway Town Hall to a community group for just £1 was approved by Dumfries and Galloway Council last week.
Following a lengthy debate about the long-term future of the building, the councillors finally agreed to sell the historic building to Local Initiatives in New Galloway (LING).
The 19th century building is valued at £100,000 but “requires significant investment” to be brought up to scratch.
The town hall has been managed by LING for several years and the organisation has given the building a new lease of life through operating a wide range of community events.
LING has already secured £50,000 in funding to upgrade the town hall and bids to secure more grants totalling over £200,000 have a higher chance of success following the completion of community ownership.
At the council’s finance, procurement and transformation committee last Thursday, Dee and Glenkens Councillor Jane Maitland put forward a motion calling for the town hall building to be transferred to LING.
This included a condition that it is returned to the council in the future if the community group is no longer operating.
Councillor Maitland said: “This has been quite a long time in the cooking.
“I think it’s the right thing to do. I think we should make certain that the council could retrieve this asset.”
While the council has agreed in principle to sell the building, an application must still be made to the sheriff court seeking consent to complete the transaction.
This is because the town hall is a common good property and cannot legally be sold without the consideration and permission of a sheriff.
Two halls are available for hire and there is a fully equipped kitchen. Council officers have previously praised LING saying that the organisation has “a long and successful track record of managing and operating the hall.”
