Men's Shed complete asset transfer of former Fife Street School in Macduff
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Banff, Macduff and District Men's Shed has announced the completion of the asset transfer of the former Fife Street School.
Aberdeenshire Council's business service committee approved the decision at a meeting in February.
It has now been finalised and the group has taken over the building in Macduff which will be used for its activities and be available to other community organisations.
Bob Copland from the Men's Shed said: "It has been a long and sometimes challenging journey but now – at last – we can now move forward and give Banff, Macduff and District Men's Shed its much deserved home and open up the Fife Street School to the local community."
"We would like to thank everyone who has supported and assisted us during the asset transfer."
The former school was constructed in the 1930s and is situated at 108 Fife Street in Macduff.
Following its life as a primary school, a tenancy was held by North East Scotland College until 2019.
It was then placed on the open market and in April last year, the council received an offer for the property from a commercial firm which was declined.
In June, the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership approached the local authority to use the site for vaccinations, testing and associated services relating to Covid-19, but it later withdrew its interest.
The Men’s Shed was formed in 2018 and the group first expressed an interest in the building in March 2020. It made the formal asset transfer application in August of last year.
It wants to use it as a base for the group and a community hub for local organisations in need of space.
The proposal from the Men's Shed was initially assessed by the Banff and Buchan area committee in December last year, which went against Aberdeenshire Council's officer recommendation to reject.
This lead to the application progressing to the business services committee for further scrutiny.
It was recommended for refusal on the grounds that the information provided within the business case did not demonstrate that the proposal was robust nor financially viable to enable the Men’s Shed to manage and maintain the asset and provide a community hub.
During the meeting Councillor Mark Findlater outlined his backing for the application and submitted a motion that it should be approved.
He said: "This has gone on for a number of years and deferring the decision for another couple of months will not make a difference.
"It would be a real tragedy if the building was lost. There are no alternative properties the group can use.
"My motion would be to agree with the Banff and Buchan area committee."
He was seconded by Councillor Alistair Forsyth who said: "The risk to the council is outweighed by the community benefit which could be achieved."
Councillor Jim Gifford lodged an amendment that the officer recommendation should be followed.
He said: "The business case provided by the group just doesn't stack up.
"It will be a massive challenge for the members and I believe it will be a risk too far.
"I agree with the officer recommendation to refuse the application."
Councillor Isobel Davidson seconded the amendment.
Councillor Brian Topping submitted a further amendment that the decision be deferred so council officers could hold further discussions with the group but that was not supported.
In the vote the committee voted 10 to four in favour of the motion to approve.
During the meeting it was outlined that a number of organisations were interested in using the facility.
