MOFFAT TOWN HALL UPGRADE IN PROSPECT
The Trust is very excited now that we have agreements with Historic Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council. The agreements will bring in approximately £600 000 for restoration of the outside of the Town Hall. This will include repairs to the roof of the Hall and Library; repairs to some structural defects, including reinstating the Stage; and restoration of the outside of the Hall. This will secure the future of the building for many years, and will significantly improve its external appearance.
Moffat Town Hall Redevelopment Trust has been working for several years to secure the future of the Moffat Town Hall. It now looks as if the Trust is able to safeguard the historic building for generations to come. The Trust recently secured a commitment of grant money from Historic Scotland towards the repair of the building, providing that the balance of the funding for the works can be found.
The Trust has been working closely with Officers of Dumfries and Galloway Council to reach agreement on a package which would enable the refurbishment of the building. Council Officers prepared a paper which sets out the case to do the work and take advantage of the grant. The report, presented to the Policy and Resources Committee Meeting on the 21st February was approved.
The basis of the paper is that the Council will provide capital funding of about £378 000 to match the grant offer which the Trust has with Historic Scotland for about £224 000. This funding will enable the complete restoration of the exterior of the building. The works will resolve some foundation problems, restore damaged stonework and completely reroof the building to conservation standards. They will also reinstate the stage which has been out of commission for some time as a result of a cracked beam, and enable the permanent repair of the library ceiling, part of which recently fell down. The report stresses that because of the deteriorating condition of the Town Hall, the Council will, in any case, have to spend a projected £780,000 on the building within the next five years on exterior and interior repairs and renewals. The offer from Historic Scotland offers an opportunity to undertake most of this work at a reduced cost to the Council.
A condition of the Historic Scotland grant is that the Trust becomes the lease-holder for the Hall. This would allow the Trust to market and manage the Hall on behalf of the Community; and would enable it to upgrade the interior subject to being able to draw down funds from other sources. One of the first priorities is to refurbish the kitchen and plans are already well developed to undertake this.
Under the leasing arrangement the Council would continue to provide services from the building.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the people of Moffat, and the Trust is hopeful that the Council will grasp this great opportunity to support the Trust and secure the refurbishment of the Town Hall.

COMMUNITY MATTERS: APRIL, 2012
At the very successful and encouraging Open Evening on the 19th April, attended by more than 40 people, sixteen people signed up as Volunteers to help with the work of the Trust, and thanks has been sent to them for their commitment. The Evening gave the Trust an opportunity to give details on the use of the £600 000 funding package which is being provided by Historic Scotland and D&G Council. The money will enable the exterior of the building, to be improved, including reroofing, window and stonework restoration, and structural improvements which will reinstate the use of the stage.
Further good news was received the following week, with the formal notification by Historic Scotland that we can now progress to the next stage with our plans. As a result we are hoping in the next week or so to instruct our Design Team to produce detailed specifications for the work, and tender documents to send out to potential construction companies. Progress is also being made with D&G Council in finalising the terms of the Lease and Service Level Agreement which will enable the Trust to take over management of the Hall.
Further discussions are taking place to finalise the plans for refurbishment of the kitchen; and following the comments received at the Open Evening, we are starting to look at possibilities for improving the internal toilets.
We are always delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in the work that we are doing.
Peter Beck-Samuels

COMMUNITY MATTERS: MARCH, 2012
The Trust is very excited now that we have agreements with Historic Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council. The agreements will bring in approximately £600 000 for restoration of the outside of the Town Hall. This will include repairs to the roof of the Hall and Library; repairs to some structural defects, including reinstating the Stage; and restoration of the outside of the Hall. This will secure the future of the building for many years, and will significantly improve its external appearance.

The agreement also means that the Trust will take on a 21 year lease on the Hall. This provides the Trust with Management Responsibility for the Hall, but gives us the opportunity to manage lets, including setting rates; increase use of the Hall; and to undertake refurbishment of the Hall, subject to availability of funding. Our first priority is to refurbish the kitchen, and plans are already under way to make that happen later in the year.

The Trust is holding an open evening in the near future where we hope that as many people as possible will come to talk to us, hear more about our plans, and offer their own thoughts and hopefully support. This is a wonderful opportunity for the Community to take ‘ownership’ of one of the most important public buildings in Moffat.

We are always delighted to hear from anyone who is interested in the work that we are doing. Please contact us through the Town Hall Group on www.moffatonline.co.uk. Alternatively give us a ring on 01683 220227.