COMMUNITY groups have voiced their disappointment after it was confirmed that a longstanding village hub is closing down.
Clackmannanshire Council confirmed that the Sauchie Hall would be closing its doors in April 2025 after it posted a notice on their website.
The council plans to remove all services within the hall from April 1, inviting groups to get in touch to discuss a community asset transfer.
This idea was originally floated during this year’s budget proposals, with the council cutting costs by not filling vacancies.
This would have a snowball effect on services provided at the hall, with the local authority aiming to focus community leisure services at Alloa Town Hall and the three academies in Clacks instead.
Sauchie Active8 is one of the groups who operate within Sauchie Hall and they have raised concerns that children will have limit ed options if the hall closes.
Donna McLean, community development officer for Active8, said: “Sauchie Hall is a historic building which holds a lot of memories for the community.
“It’s been a hive of social activity – bingo was there for 50 years, people have celebrated birthdays, weddings and it’s also held a lot of classes.
“We know people who have been married here and they say their parents were married here, funerals here as well.
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“Once that goes, what is there? Currently, we hold exercise classes in here for a couple hundred people, youth clubs as well so where do they go?
“We had about 60, 70 kids in here this week and at least their parents know they’re safe here.”
In order to save Sauchie Hall, Clackmannanshire Council is proposing a community asset transfer project.
This would see the hall legally changeover from the council’s property and responsibility to a group of residents or organisations, who would then be responsible for the upkeep and service.
The council post read: “Council operation of the building is no longer viable and Clackmannanshire Council will remove all services from Sauchie Hall on April 1, 2025, meaning it will no longer be possible for people and community groups to hire the hall and its meeting spaces.
Concerns surrounding a community asset transfer arose from repair work needing to be done within the hall.
Craig Miller, co-community manager from the Sauchie Community Group, explained that the extension of the hall is subsiding, with any potential buyers having to undertake that work themselves.
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He said: “Sauchie Community Group have always believed that Sauchie Hall should be run by the council.
“There were promises made that repairs would be done before any discussions were had about handing over the building.
“My understanding is that these repairs have not yet happened to completion so therefore, at the moment, they should consider those discussions but they should not be looking at community asset transfer until they have delivered the promises they made at the public meeting less than a year ago.”
Clacks Council confirmed to the Advertiser that they have been carrying out work to review a potential asset transfer for Sauchie Hall and also the Ben Cleuch Centre.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Senior council officers have been carrying out work relating to potential community asset transfers for both Sauchie Hall and the Ben Cleuch Centre for several months, and it is anticipated that a report on this work will be presented to elected members in the spring of 2025.
“As part of the 2024-2025 budget setting process, council agreed to the creation of a role, which is at advanced stage of recruitment, that would focus on providing additional practical support, guidance and a point of contact for people or groups interested in taking on more ownership of services and assets in their own community.
“The council firmly believes that there are real benefits in the community asset transfer solution for both buildings as it would allow communication to access funding and investment not available to the council.”
Any groups or organisations interested in finding out more about the project can contact the council by writing to Asset Transfer, Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB.
Alternatively, groups can call 01259 452012/450000 or email assettransfer@clacks.gov.uk.
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