The future of a community hall in Old Kilpatrick has been secured - despite warnings that transferring the lease to a foodbank charity could create “significant bad feeling” in the village.
Members of West Dunbartonshire Council’s Infrastructure, Regeneration and Economic Development (IRED) committee last week voted to approve the transfer of Napier Hall’s lease to Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP) for a 10 year period.
Labour chair of the IRED committee, Councillor David McBride, said OKFP’s bid made more sense for the council - and for the community.
However fears were raised over the future of a playgroup currently using the hall, with the SNP’s Lauren Oxley calling for a decision to be delayed until later in the year.
OKFP plan to relocate from their existing Station Road Industrial Estate Unit to the hall.
Four groups had applied to take on the running of Napier Hall, which was one of seven council owned facilities the cash-strapped local authority had earmarked for a move into community ownership, or closure, in their budget earlier this year.
Old Kilpatrick Community Council, Napier Hall Community Group and Saint Patrick Lodge all applied to become keyholders, initially on a short-term basis, whilst Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels submitted a bid based on becoming tenants on a decade-long lease.
Julie Hunter, a member of Napier Hall Community Group, also runs the Old Kilpatrick Playgroup.
Addressing members, she said she feared the group would be forced out of the village if the OKFP plans were given the green light.
She presented a comment from the Care Inspectorate that said they would risk assess any situation, but ‘wouldn’t expect a care service to share a hall with such an operation’.
Ms Hunter said: “Our charity has been serving the families of Old Kilpatrick and the surrounding areas for 55 years.
“Our out-of-school club is now the only club for children at Gavinburn Primary, and we have very close links with the primary and nursery.
“If you choose to vote through the transfer to OKFP then we will be forced to close. We cannot operate in the same building as we cannot guarantee the children’s safety.
“We have also been contacted by people worried about local businesses, car parking and their house prices if a foodbank is placed in such a busy, central location.
“OKFP have adequate premises that they have shaped to fit their needs. I don’t understand the logic of giving that up for a hall that needs a lot of work done to it, and would cost them more each month.”
In response, Michelle Lynn, WDC’s assets co-ordinator said that there were already examples of playgroups running in the same building as foodbanks - including at Skypoint in Faifley, and previously at Alexandria Community Centre.
However the fears led to calls from the SNP for a pause on plans, with village councillor Lauren Oxley warning that approving them now could lead to ill-feeling between OKFP and other community groups.
She said: “If a decision is taken today then significant bad feeling will be felt within the community, which will not benefit Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels, West Dunbartonshire Council nor the community of the village as a whole.
“OKFP is a viable and worthwhile community group that has helped so many in their hour of need.
“We are not questioning their importance.
“Clarity has to be found however for the viability and practicality of current user groups to use the hall. With this in mind we are calling for the matter to be continued until August 16.”
Labour’s David McBride refuted the idea, saying: “I fully understand that this has been a difficult period of time for everyone involved.
“Every community group can be accommodated. The hall can continue to operate, and hopefully thrive.
“I urge everyone to unite and accept that this hall has a future for all.
“The tone of the debate has not been pleasant online.
“But we need to be honest. We have a better bid from OKFP for the council and for the community. We need to all work together to make sure that it now thrives.”
Labour’s motion to approve the transfer was successful by seven votes to five.
Speaking afterwards, Maureen Cummings - founder of OKFP - said: "The need for our charity has never been greater and the move to Napier Hall will enable us to expand our services further and continue work towards alleviating social isolation.
“We started OKFP to help people during Covid but the cost of living crisis has meant demand had increased far beyond what we had ever anticipated. Old Kilpatrick has a great sense of community and it is from that we were able to launch and grow.
“We are looking forward to working together with other groups in the village and have plans to enhance the facilities with an extension off the annexe for our café and a new kitchen area off the main hall which will be dedicated for existing and new community groups to use to support their activities.”
