Support for Smithton Hall take over

Almost 30 people attended a public meeting on Wednesday 16 December at Smithton Hall, Inverness  to voice their support for the community taking over  it over from the Council. 

The Council are willing to transfer ownership of Smithton Hall to the local community as part of its Village Halls Equalisation Policy. Communities are able to access funds from charities and other funding bodies not available to the Council so community ownership will mean they can draw in funding for their hall.

At the meeting chaired by the Ward Manager, Charles Stephen, the community made it  clear they would not allow the hall to close and wanted to take over the running and management of it for the community. Catherine Rutherford from Culloden said,” We want to keep this hall so that we can put on activities for the community – young and old. It has been here a long time and we intend to keep it for a lot longer. We can develop this hall and make it a great place for community events. There’s not a lot for people to do here but we want to change that.” 

Douglas Wilby, the Council’s senior Leisure and Learning Officer, said: “We are delighted that 19 people from the local community have put their names down to serve on a committee to take over the running of Smithton Hall.  As soon as they have established their constituted group we can begin work to transfer ownership of the hall to them. We will give them our full support to make the process as straightforward as possible.” 

Representatives from across the local community attended the meeting, including young and old and from Culloden as well as Smithton. All were positive and enthusiastic about keeping the hall. 

The four members for the Culloden and Ardersier Ward – Roddy Balfour, John Ford, Glynis Sinclair and Bob Wynd - are fully supportive of the local community taking over the hall and are delighted so many have volunteered to form a committee to take it over.