Strategic property review
Falkirk Council has too many buildings that are in poor and ageing condition, not energy efficient, expensive to run and underutilised. The Audit Scotland Best Value Assurance Report (January 2022) states the Council 'needs to quickly progress the remaining key actions in the SPR and take decisions on its property estate to deliver best value.'
The Strategic Property Review will reduce the number of properties owned by the Council in order to deliver financial savings given the current budget deficit of circa £64m and will also significantly reduce the backlog in maintenance and subsequent capital investment that is required to bring these properties into good condition. This will allow for investment to be made in a smaller number of core buildings.
Mitigation to closure options have been identified and this includes Community Asset Transfer (CAT), Alternative Delivery Model and Improved Financial Performance.
CAT - What support is available?
Our CAT team is ready to discuss the possibilities, benefits and the process with anyone interested in asset transfer. You can email them at:
strategicpropertyreview@falkirk.gov.uk
We have also partnered with third sector organisation, CVS Falkirk. CVS can provide additional support and guidance to interested parties including:
- helping groups develop their ideas
- supporting and advising groups through the transfer journey
- building capacity, skills and resilience beyond the transfer
Falkirk Council will hand over all SPR properties subject to a CAT as wind, water-tight and statutory compliant, in line with the definitions below.
Community groups (subject to the below eligibility) can request funding from the SPR Capital Enabling Fund and this should be included within the CAT application.
Wind and water-tight definition:
The property will be handed over in a wind and water-tight condition. This means that that the building is resistant to wind and water leakage under wind and rain; Wind or water cannot penetrate the building.
As an example of how this will apply to Strategic Property Review properties, Falkirk Council would not replace a roof, however would ensure there are no leaks prior to an asset transfer.
A replacement roof could however be considered as part of an application to the Strategic Property Review Capital Enabling Fund as part of a Community Asset Transfer application.
We acknowledge that time has passed since the initial condition surveys were undertaken and that building condition may have slightly changed. Falkirk Council will fix any maintenance issues that have emerged in buildings prior to an asset transfer, however we will not fund building upgrades.
Statutory compliant definition:
Falkirk Council will ensure that all properties are handed over as statutory compliant recognising the age of the building, regulations appropriate for the Councils current use and only with respect to fabric/installations.
Any compliance works required to align with new regulations that would apply where there is a change of use or future works, will not automatically be undertaken and should be included within the funding request to the Strategic Property Review Capital Enabling Fund. Any repair work that is required to address outstanding statutory compliance will be undertaken prior to a Community Asset Transfer. Evidence of statutory compliance will be provided to community groups as part of the handover process.
Strategic Property Review £3m Capital Enabling Fund
Falkirk Council has a £3m capital enabling fund for properties with the Strategic Property review. This can be applied for as part of the Community Asset Transfer application. Examples of how this fund can be used include for energy efficient improvements or other larger capital renewals which support the viability of the project going forward.
Community groups seeking Community Asset Transfer ownership or a Lease 10+ years are eligible for the funding.
A costed schedule must be included and revenue repair costs will not legible for this fund. Requests for funding summarised in the schedule should be supported by quotes from a minimum of three recognised contractors or provided by appropriately qualified Chartered Building or Quantity Surveyors.
It is for community groups to consider the condition of the building and investment/funding required as part of the business plan financial model and in making any applications to the Council's enabling fund or any other funding applications.
Additionally, we have recently launched Community Empowerment Grants, which can provide financial assistance of up to £12,500 to support groups in their CAT efforts. For more information about these grants and the CAT process, please visit www.falkirk.gov.uk/ceg.
Properties progressing with Community Asset Transfers
Community Halls & Centres
| Property | Phase | Latest update |
|---|---|---|
| Airth Community Hall | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Avonbridge Community Centre | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted. Property will close when existing management lease expires on 01 January 2025. |
| Bainsford Community Centre | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Bankier Community Education Unit | Phase 3 | This property is part of the school and to be retained. |
| Banknock Community Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01 October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Bonnybridge Community Education Centre | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Bowhouse Community Hall | Phase 2 | The previous Expression of Interest was withdrawn and the property is now closed. A new Expression of Interest has now been submitted. |
| Brightons Community Hall | Phase 2 | Community group progressing with Community Asset Transfer Existing management lease will expire 31 March 2025 and current building operations will continue until then. |
| Broompark Community Centre | Phase 2 | This property has closed and we are progressing with surplus property procedures, however a new Expression of Interest has now been submitted. |
| California Community Hall | Phase 2 | Expression of Interest has been withdrawn. As no active Expression of Interest and a Phase 2 property, the property is closed and progressing with surplus property procedures. |
| Camelon Education Centre Campus | Phase 3 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted. Groups have until 31 March 2025 to submit an Expression of Interest or property will close. |
| Carronshore Community Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01 October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Cowdenhill Community Hall | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Dalgrain Community Hall | Phase 2 | Community group progressing with Community Asset Transfer Existing management lease will expire 28 February 2025 and current building operations will continue until then. |
| Dawson Centre | Phase 3 | There are proposals for retaining this property for operational use. |
| Denny Primary School Community Education Unit | Phase 3 | This property is part of the school and to be retained. |
| Ettrick Dochart Community Hall | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Excellence in Childcare Centre | Phase 3 | An Expression of Interest has been received. There are proposals for retaining this property for operational use. |
| Grange Community Education Centre | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Grangemouth Community Education Unit | Phase 3 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted at this time and groups are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest. This property will remain open until alternative arrangements for Council meetings are identified. |
| Greenpark Community Education Centre | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Kersiebank Community Education Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01 October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Laurieston Community Hall | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Limerigg Community Hall | Phase 2 | Community group progressing with Community Asset Transfer Existing management lease will expire 01 January 2025 and current building operations will continue until then. |
| Maddiston Community Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01 October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Newlands Community Hall | Phase 2 | Hall will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the hall will transfer to applicant. |
| Reddingmuirhead Community Centre | Phase 2 | Community group progressing with Community Asset Transfer Existing management lease will expire 01 January 2025 and current building operations will continue until then. |
| Shieldhill Community Education Wing | Phase 3 | This property is part of the school and to be retained. |
| Shieldhill Community Hall | Phase 2 | Community group progressing with Community Asset Transfer Existing management lease will expire 01 January 2025 and current building operations will continue until then. |
| Slamannan Community Education Centre | Phase 3 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted. Groups have until 31 March 2025 to submit an Expression of Interest or property will close. |
| Thornhill Community Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01 October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Tryst Community Education Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01 October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Westquarter Community Wing | Phase 3 | This property is part of the school and to be retained. |
Pavilions
| Property | Phase | Latest update |
|---|---|---|
| Airth Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Anderson Park Pavilion | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Annet Road Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Bottom Castle Park Pavilion | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| California Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Dawson Park Pavilion - F814 | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Douglas Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Duncan Stewart Pavilion | Phase 2 | This property is closed and will reopen pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Easter Carmuirs Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and will progress to surplus property procedures. |
| Gairdoch Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Glen Park Pavilion | Phase 3 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted. Groups have until 31March 2025 to submit an Expression of Interest or property will close. |
| Glensburgh Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Inchyra Road Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Laurie Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Laurieston Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Letham Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Lido Crownest Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Loch Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Maddiston Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Community Asset Transfer application was been received by 1st October. The property has now closed and will be subject to surplus property procedures. |
| Overton Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Rannoch Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Community Asset Transfer application was been received by 1st October. The property has now closed and will be subject to surplus property procedures. |
| Russel Park Pavilion | Phase 3 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted. Groups have until 31March 2025 to submit an Expression of Interest or property will close. |
| Shieldhill Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Skinflats Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Slamannan Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| St Margaret's Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed. A new Expression of Interest has now been submitted. |
| Stenhousemuir Pavilion | Phase 2 | No Expression of Interest for Community Asset Transfer was received and therefore this property is closed and has progressed to surplus property procedures. |
| Stirling Road Pavilion | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Victoria Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | This property has closed however will form part of Community Asset Transfer of Thornhill Community Centre. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Whitecross Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
| Zetland Park Pavilion | Phase 2 | Pavilion will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the pavilion will transfer to applicant. |
Others
| Property | Phase | Latest update |
|---|---|---|
| Action Outdoors Centre | Surplus | This property is already closed. Community Group progressing with Community Asset Transfer. |
| Bankier Sports Hall | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Blackness WC | Phase 2 | This property is already closed however an Expression of Interest has been submitted. |
| Bo'ness Cemetery Store | Phase 2 | Store will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the store will transfer to applicant. |
| Carron Gymnastics Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest submitted for a Community Asset Transfer of the Carron Gymnastics Centre. There are proposals to relocate the gymnastics programme to the Mariner Centre and Larbert High School and this will be considered by Council in June 2025. |
| Denny Sports Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Grangemouth Sports Stadium | Phase 3 | Community Asset Transfer. Group to commence Full Repair and Insuring Licence from 01 April 2025. |
| Herbertshire Pavilion subject to further discussions as part of Denny Sports Centre | Phase 3 | Expression of Interest has been submitted. Group have until 01October 2025 to submit a full CAT application if this has not already been submitted. |
| Kinneil Museum | Phase 3 | The Masterplan for Kinneil Park is in the process of development and the stakeholder engagement will conclude by end of August 2025. In the absence of there currently being any expression of interest (EOI) by the community in the Museum building, Council has agreed to move this property to Phase 4 with a revised closure date of 31 March 2026 giving time for community interest to align with the outcomes of the park Master plan and any EOI that may come forward. There are also opportunities for discussions with national organisations for an alternative delivery model. |
| New Carriden Bothy | Phase 2 | Bothy will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the bothy will transfer to applicant. |
| Polmont Sports Centre | Phase 3 | No Expression of Interest has been submitted. Groups have until 31 March 2025 to submit an Expression of Interest or property will close. |
| Polmonthill Ski Centre including bungalow | Phase 2 | Facility will remain open under temporary agreement, pending Community Asset Transfer process concluding at which point the facility will transfer to applicant. |
| Stenhousemuir Gym | Phase 3 | Property to be retained under Improved Financial Performance and lease to be extended. |
Further updates will be provided at a future date for Stenhousemuir Gym, Grangemouth Stadium and Carron Gymnastics Centre.
Equality and Poverty Impact Assessments
On 31 January 2024, Council considered a report on the Strategic Property Review. The report refers to Equality and Poverty Impact Assessments (EPIA's) which were undertaken based on the recommendations in the report and with the information that was available at the time.