MSP SEEKS ANSWERS ON VILLAGE HALL FUNDING
September 6, 2007 12:00 AM
Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, today asked the Scottish Government how it plans to support community and village halls in rural and remote areas.
Jim Hume said:-
"I recently visited Abbey St Bathans, Heiton and Stichill village halls and met representatives of the village hall committees to hear about difficulties faced in setting up and thereafter running a hall.
"I saw at first hand just how valuable these community facilities especially for those living in small and rural communities.
The MSP continued:-
"I asked the Minister what he plans to do to make access to funding easier, whether the sewerage rates exemption scheme will be continued until after 2010 when it comes to an end and when we will see money available through the Rural Development Plan.
"The Minister confirmed that money would be available through the greatly anticipated Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP), but did not indicate when this would be.
"This is obviously good news and I know that village halls in the South of Scotland will welcome the funding through the SRDP.
"There was however no mention of changes to existing funding arrangements which would make it easier for halls to apply for financial support, and there was also no mention of ensuring that halls will be exempt from sewerage rates after 2010.
"I will continue to press the case for village and community halls."
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