Letters / Devastating decision
In light of Shetland Islands Council’s decision to refuse the grant application for critical repairs and the refurbishment to the South Nesting Public Hall (SIC denies halls cash; SN 31/10/12), the committee would like to take this opportunity of informing people about the circumstances and facts surrounding their application and the plight we, and possibly many other rural communities across Shetland now face.
We are aware of the current financial problems faced by Shetland Islands Council, and the difficult decisions they have to make.
However, we believe our project made good financial sense; it would prove cost effective over the long term and would attract a substantial amount of outside investment into Shetland. Furthermore, the money being asked for was already set aside in this year’s budget for projects such as this.
In order to appreciate how devastating this decision was we must consider the pivotal role that the public halls play in the everyday life of the thousands of people who live in rural communities across Shetland.
All of the amenities available in rural areas are concentrated into one building, our hall. This is our social centre, sports hall, music hall, dance hall, restaurant, café, bar, market place, meeting room for businesses, clubs and committees, gathering place and tourist attraction all rolled into one.
It is a venue that caters for the needs of all our community from very young children to the elderly.
Furthermore, all of the services provided are entirely run and paid for by the community who use it. There are no paid bar staff, kitchen staff, chefs, youth workers, dance instructors, cleaners, leisure staff or management committee. Just hard work, time and donations given freely and willingly by volunteers.
This is the essence of Shetland’s public halls – they are run by the people for the people with enthusiasm and energy unsurpassed. It is this community spirit and social cohesion that is all too often missing from today’s society, but it is alive and thriving in our rural communities.
Like many others, South Nesting Public Hall committee has a history of managing and running its own affairs and has raised all the necessary funds from within its small local community.
We have not gone cap in hand or requested a large capital grant from Shetland Islands Council since 1995. Unfortunately, like many other buildings across Shetland, the harsh climate eventually takes its toll on the fabric and several years ago the hall committee was advised by building professionals that the roof was at the end of its useful life.
Despite our best efforts, the battle to keep the wind and water out is being lost and the damage to the interior fabric increases every winter as the roof becomes more dilapidated.
Disaster! Perhaps not, the SNPH committee hoped to turn misfortune into an opportunity that would help the building become sustainable, self sufficient and future-proof it for the next generation of volunteers.
Several years ago our regeneration strategy was developed and included replacing the existing leaking roof with a well insulated energy efficient building envelope, providing new accessible toilets, shower facilities and caravan hook up points. This made the building more cost effective to run, more accessible and would attract additional income from visitors.
SNPH were advised that capital grant money could be applied for from the council and that budgets were available.
With the knowledge and support of Shetland Islands Council a voluntary committee invested a huge amount of effort, time and hall funds to prepare, feasibility studies, business plans, cost estimates, planning permission, building warrant and finally a fully costed detailed design. Information and work that was all necessary in order to apply for both LEADER funding and Shetland Islands Council Capital grant funding.
In July 2012 LEADER approved the project and offered us £87,000. The Robertson Trust have indicated they could provide another £10,000 once all other funding is secured. An additional £20,000 funding has been raised, committed or spent on the project to bring it to this stage.
However, as we found out, funding is like a giant jigsaw puzzle and the last piece in our jigsaw was the grant from Shetland Islands Council. And with inevitable frustration we find the last piece is now missing, we have a contractor on board, a project ready to start tomorrow but no money to pay for it.
It makes economic sense not to completely rely on our own council for money, but to look elsewhere. That other major source is LEADER which is direct funding from Europe, however in order to unlock this source of income it MUST be matched by PUBLIC funding.
To bring this investment into Shetland requires a commitment from the local council. In short, because the council refused our grant application we lose all the time effort and money spent to date as well as the additional £87,000 of LEADER funding.
This is money that would be spent locally in Shetland helping to support local businesses and our community. It was not just a quick fix to a leaky roof, but a long term solution and strategy that would have would made our hall more sustainable, and given us the tools to become self sufficient in the future.
The £88,000 requested from Shetland Islands Council to match LEADER included VAT at 20 per cent. This would have been refunded to the council on completion of the project reducing the council’s capital investment down to £70,000.
This represents incredible value for money when you consider the overall value of a £200,000 project and the facilities, the community care and the benefits it will bring to our rural community at no revenue cost to the council at all.
Yes, there are troubled times ahead and yes, we are all going to have to shoulder some of the responsibility to help get out of this mess. Shetland Islands Council however has a crucial role to play, they are going to have to take the community and the voluntary sector with them and they surely must avoid creating a town and country divide.
There is a danger that in this economic climate we take into account the cost of everything and the value of nothing.
South Nesting Public Hall Committee
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