MOVES towards the community ownership of a long-standing Moray building have taken a major step forward.
The proposed transfer of the Fochabers Institute was progressed unanimously by Moray Council’s policy and resources committee, which met today.
Residents will now work with the council’s community support unit to look at the plan in more detail.
It comes after a survey of the central building revealed repairs in excess of £800,000 were required. Subsequent consultation with local residents showed 68% of respondents in favour of community ownership, as opposed to closure or partial upgrading.
Addressing the meeting, local ward member Sean Morton said he was committed to seeing the building survive.
"I have been delighted to see committed people coming together, and to hear their positivity. They have talked this through carefully. They know what is ahead of them and they are willing to try anyway. I am pretty convinced that if Fochabers can’t manage an asset transfer, no community can," he said.
Fellow Fochabers Lhanbryde ward member Margo Howe also urged members to get behind the plan, welcoming the positive attitude displayed by locals. Councillors heard about 20 people have already stepped up to help drive the campaign forward. It is understood they are meeting tonight to discuss the next steps.
Read this week’s ‘Scot’ for more.
