Community asset transfer

CAT/24/0004

Halfway Library is one of the assets South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture intends to withdraw from following their budget meeting in February of this year.

We subsequently announced a community fightback fund and an intention to support residents and community groups to take on the leases of these properties, to operate them on behalf of their local community, and in doing so, save them from closure.

Interested parties were allowed to submit expressions of interest for these buildings detailing their intentions and ability to continue their operation in the short term through a short-term lease which would be granted to them by us if they were successful.

On many occasions, multiple groups expressed an interest in operating these properties, and it was agreed that a process would be put in place that enabled residents to show their support for whichever applicant they believed would be most suitable. This information would be used as part of the consideration.

Halfway Library is one such venue, with two organisations expressing an interest in agreeing to a short-term lease, with a view to considering the medium to long term viability of their plans.

The two interested parties are as follows:

LEAP project – community facility with emphasis on senior citizens

Rain or Shine – community facility with emphasis on children and families

The documents relating to these requests can be viewed by email by contacting CommunityAssets@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

The documents can also be viewed online through our planning portal. Choose Simple Search and use the words “Halfway Library” or reference number “CAT/24/0004” in the keyword search box.

Anyone is entitled to make representations about these requests to us.  Representations must be in writing and include the name and address of the person making it. This information will in turn be used to formulate a report which will be presented to a future meeting of the Housing and Technical Committee where a final decision will be made by elected members on which applicant will be entitled to progress.

Representations must be made by 5pm on Thursday 4 July 2024. They should be made via the planning system, or sent to Iain Mulholland, Community Engagement Team, Council HQ, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA or by email to CommunityAssets@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.