Potential change for St David House, Bathgate
Sarajia Islamic Studies and Community Centre Limited (SISCCL) have submitted a community asset transfer request for the three surplus properties at St. David House, Bathgate, including the office accommodation, former ground floor retail unit and the former café premises.
Community Asset Transfer involves the transfer of a property asset from the Council to a voluntary or community organisation.
A report at Council Executive next week notes that the community asset transfer request is valid and will be determined by the Asset Transfer Committee at a future date.
SISCCL propose to pay the council £350,000 to purchase the properties and anticipate that the buildings would be used as:
- A Mosque for worship and religious learning and spiritual/ personal development.
- A multipurpose community space for activities and events for community cohesion and wellbeing.
- Retail and enterprise to provide employment, training and an income to sustain the charitable objectives.
The paper also notes that in the event of the community asset transfer request is refused, officers will provide Council Executive with a further update report on the proposed disposal of the three surplus properties.
When the council sells unused properties, proceeds from the sale help to fund future investment in infrastructure projects such as schools, parks, roads and care services for vulnerable people. The sale of unused assets is therefore an important funding stream that allows us to continue to invest in other services. Without that funding, less money would be available to maintain and improve local services in future.
