Falkirk Council faces a c£67m budget gap over the next four years and must take urgent steps to avoid running out of money.
Currently we own too many buildings that are ageing, in poor condition and require investment of around £200m to avoid unexpected closures, money we simply do not have.
Many of the buildings are also not energy efficient and keeping them would prevent the Council from achieving its climate change targets.
That is why Councillors have agreed in principle to make 133 Council-owned buildings available for transfer to communities.
Where transfers are not possible, the intention would be that the buildings close over the next three to four years on a phased approach, with services and activities moved to other locations within the community.
This survey is not about stopping services. It is about finding potential new ways to deliver them and where they could be delivered from together with identifying the willingness and support needed by communities to manage properties proposed to close should this be an option.
The Council does not have the resources to continue to operate from all the buildings that it currently does, so it needs do things differently.
Our ambition is to have a smaller number of better maintained, modern buildings that are reliable, energy efficient, affordable and better meet the needs of communities.
We know that community ownership ensures local people have control over the buildings and spaces that have significance to them, and that these spaces are used in ways that meet the priorities and needs of the local community.
To assist the community to take on buildings, a £6m fund will be set up that could be used to invest in improvements such as roof works, windows and new boilers etc. It could also be used for energy efficiency works and other improvements to enable a successful asset transfer or alternative delivery model. In addition, professional and technical support will also be available.
We want your views on how buildings within your community could be transferred through Community Asset Transfer, what support may be needed, and if there are any equality issues to be addressed.
If community transfer is not possible, the building will close, and the aim is to relocate these activities to other locations within the community. We want your views on where you think these activities could potentially be relocated.
In addition to the survey, several in-person events will take place in January to gather further views. The dates, times and locations of these are listed at the bottom of this page.
You do not need to register to attend an in-person event, simply come along to the one that suits you best, even if it isn't in your ward. If you wish to attend the virtual event you will need to email your interest. Further information on how to do this is provided in the Events section below.
The outcomes of both the survey and the face-to-face engagement will help inform the final decision on the future of properties which will be taken by Councillors in March 2023.
If you have any questions about the survey, please email Strategicpropertyreview@falkirk.gov.uk.
For further information on how the information you provide will be used, please read our privacy notice.
Clicking on the "agree" button below indicates that:
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR, there is no need to register for this event.
Public engagement meeting to discuss the SPR. If you are interested in attending, please register by emailing Strategicpropertyreview@falkirk.gov.uk
Please be aware that others on the meeting will be able to see your email address when you join.
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