Asset transfer sale on the cards for Paisley community centre
Your Community Your Space is set to find out if its community asset transfer request for the facility has been successful.
A charitable organisation could take on the ownership of Beechwood Community Centre in Paisley – if a sale is given the green light by elected members next week.
Your Community Your Space (YCYS) is set to find out if its community asset transfer (CAT) request for the facility in Shortroods Road has been successful on Wednesday.
A final decision is expected to be made on the £5,000 bid at the CAT sub-committee, having been continued from a previous meeting to secure advice on conditions that could be included to protect public interest in the 54-year-old building.
In its application, YCYS has said it wants to use the community centre to drive its mission of "empowering and connecting" with the community through support services aimed at addressing physical, mental and other social needs.
It added: "The transfer of the Beechwood Community Centre to Your Community Your Space is aimed at also securing the long-term sustainability of the centre which has successfully been managed and has remained one of the core attractions to the community since its incorporation in 1971.
"YCYS aim to build on the existing legacy as an inclusive and adaptable community hub."
Councillors on the sub-committee have been recommended to agree to the sale of the community centre via asset transfer to YCYS but to do so subject to a series of conditions.
They have also been asked to authorise Renfrewshire Council's head of economy and development, as well as the head of corporate governance, to conclude the sale in accordance with the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.
A report, which will be considered at Wednesday's meeting, said Beechwood Community Centre has been valued at £100,000 by the local authority and, therefore, the offer of £5,000 represents a discount of 95 per cent.
The paper added: "This is offset against a range of community benefits, most significantly, of keeping the asset operating as a community centre for the benefit of the local community.
"In addition, asset transfer of the asset will generate revenue savings to the council of over £33,000 per annum and estimated short and long-term repair costs in excess of £750,000."
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