Councillors approved the leases at the Executive meeting on 4 December for Zetland Park Pavilion, Inchyra Park Pavilion, and Anderson Park Pavilion, marking the latest facilities to be transferred from the Council to community-based organisations.

As part of the Strategic Property Review (SPR), these are the latest buildings moving into community ownership. Since 2023, more than 40 applications have been received and 24 now approved by Executive.

The transfers will provide the Council with a saving of around £28,000 a year, with each facility leased  at a nominal rental of £1 per year which reflects the community benefits they will deliver.  

Both Zetland Park Pavilion and Inchyra Park Pavilion will be leased to the Central Football Foundation (CFF) on 20-year terms, providing positive impacts for the community and future use of the building.  

At Zetland Park, CFF will renovate the pavilion and hall with up to £116,560 from the Council’s Enablement Fund, matched by the Scottish Football Association Facilities Fund. Upgrades will include a roof replacement, electrical, joinery, plumbing, and plastering work to provide additional heating and energy-efficiency, along with more access for clubs, schools and groups, saving the Council more than £16,000 a year.

At Inchyra Park, CFF will carry out roof and window roof improvements using the £22,159 Enablement Fund grant matched by the Scottish Football Associations Facilities Fund.  

The group currently shares the facility with The Young Portonian Theatre Company, which will continue in the building under a sub-lease agreement, alongside football and wider youth/community activities, delivering over £8,000 a year in savings to the Council.  

Bonnybridge Football and Sports Club (BFSC) will take over Anderson Park Pavilion on a 15-year lease. The local club promotes inclusive participation in football and provides opportunities for all age groups. 

Anderson Park Pavilion is one of the Council’s newer pavilions which was completed in 2024. BFSC intends to carry out energy-saving improvements, supported by its own reserve funds of £14,707 and further external grants.

The transfer will save the Council around £2,780 each year, while allowing the group to expand youth training and community activities. 

Community Asset Transfers are governed by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015, giving groups a statutory right to request ownership or lease of council buildings.  

The Council’s Strategic Property Review aims to reduce the number of ageing, inefficient and underutilised buildings to deliver financial savings and investment in a smaller number of better buildings. Along with the Council’s Community Empowerment objectives, our Community Asset Transfer process is supporting community groups to turn buildings into vibrant assets that meet the needs of the community.