Kenmore & District Community Council

 

Introduction and thanks by Peter Ely, Chair. Kenmore & District Community Council (CC).

Colin Morton presented key findings of a feasibility study prepared for the CC.

A copy of the full report, accompanying documents and an executive summary are available on the Kenmore CC website.

Robert Johnstone of McKenzie Strickland Architects gave a summary of the possibilities for adapting the building as a community space, and the restrictions that might apply to the listed building. 

Key conclusions/recommendations of the feasibility study included:

-The Kirk provides scope to be adapted as a viable and practical community centre with multiple uses.

-The project could provide significant benefits to local communities, visitors and businesses.

-The timescale imposed by the CoS is very restrictive. Obtaining funding in this period will be challenging.

-The building fabric of the Church is considered to be in fair condition overall but there are some pressing items that will need attention soon.

-Most mechanical and electrical services are considered to be in a ‘fair-to-poor condition and are rapidly reaching the end of their serviceable lifespan.

-There will be restrictions on adapting the building to a new use but these are not

insurmountable.

-Significant funds will be required to purchase the church, make urgent repairs, adapt

the building to its new purpose, and maintain it. Ten-year costs, excluding running

costs, are likely to be in the region of £850,000.

-If sufficient funds and community support can be found the project appears feasible.

-A professional energy efficiency study, and consultation with Historic Environment

Scotland and PKC Planning Dept, should be high priorities should the project move

ahead.

-A realistic and viable business plan is crucial for success and for obtaining grant

funding.

-Resourcing the purchase and adaptation projects will be challenging. Expert

assistance may be required, ad consideration should be given to appointing a project

manager.

-The willing and sustained support of local volunteers will be absolutely essential. not

just to the acquisition process but also to the long-term sustainability of the project.

-The scale of the support required should not be under estimated and a clear

community commitment to providing support will be required before moving forward.

-Over-ambition to do too much too quickly may be a temptation, but a staged

approach would allow demand and requirements to be fully assessed before

committing to longer term internal changes. Smaller scale staged funding may also

be more achievable. (Up for discussion).

-The venture needs an exit plan to ensure that no lasting liability on the community is

created should the project fail. The building may form a sellable asset if no longer

required.

Is was strongly felt by many of those attending that the Church of Scotland (CoS) had not communicated its intention to close the church to the wider community effectively, and that the views of local folk should have been given more weight in reaching its decision. 

The CC’s view was that it was entirely understanding of that view, but was not there to defend or explain the CoS’ position, but to explain the current situation, provide the facts and take people’s questions and views.

Q. Would the church remain as a place for religious worship?

It was expected that the church would not be deconsecrated and that occasional use for religious purposes could be maintained. Grant funding restrictions would likely dictate that this would have to be open any religion.

Q. What would happen to the War Memorials, lych gate, organ, pulpit, stained glass and etched windows?

If items are fixed, they belong to the CoS. Unfixed items to the congregation.  There should be some consultation between the congregation and the community. It was pointed out that the stained or etched glass windows have links to local benefactors and families. The CC had met with experts from the Scottish Federation of Organists about the organ and was most grateful for their help. 

It was stated repeatedly by one attendee that the Community Council should be actively campaigning for the CoS to change its mind about closing Kenmore Kirk.

It was pointed out that the community had questioned the decision with the Kirk Session, the Diocese, and the with the Head of Policy and Planning of the Church of Scotland, all to no avail. It had been made very clear that the decision was final and would not be revisited. The agreement we have for an exclusive six month period is not then norm. If we are not seen to be acting in good faith towards a purchase the the period of exclusivity would cease and the church would go on the open market

It is the Community Council’s firm view that to attempt to influence the CoS’ decision during this period would be viewed nit be seen as as acting in good faith, and that if members of the community feel strongly about this issue, they are free to make their own representations or mobilise support.

If people wish to support an alternative route for the CC to take there would be opportunity in the public opinion survey to make their view known. 

Concern was expressed as to the six month period afforded to the Community Council to purchase Kenmore Kirk as a community asset.

That period has recently begun when the valuation was puit on the building. Consultations have taken place with the Church of Scotland (CoS) to give the Community Council more time to consult with the local community and raise the monies needed to purchase the Kirk. The only extension the CoS might consider beyond the six month period, is if purchase was under way but hasn’t been completed, however, this would only be for a short period of time.

There was a view that the CC should seek extension to the six month period.

The CC is told that it is unusual for the CoS to provide such an offer and it was apparently at the strong request of the Kirk Session that it was made. We have requested extension but been told that will only be considered if a purchase is well progressed, and then only for a short period. This is so that the local Kirk Session is not liable for expenses for an unused church. It was stressed if the Community Council should not be able to proceed, or to meet the deadline, the CoS will offer the Kirk for sale on the open market and the community may have no say beyond that point.

It was also pointed out that several hundreds of thousands of pounds had been spent on the Kirk over the past ten years and whoever buys the Kirk, they will need to guarantee dry rot has been dealt with.

It was agreed that this was an issue and that although a survey has been carried out, a further survey might be required.

The Community Council is looking for feedback from the whole of the Loch Tay community and will be conducting a survey, to ascertain the views of the community as to whether they wish the Community Council to proceed with the purchase of the Kirk and the uses envisaged for the building.

The survey will be online, with paper copies available (with SAE) at the Telephone Box and church in Kenmore.

It was felt important to seek the views, not only of the local community but holiday home and caravan owners and visitors to the area.

The suggestion was made to extend the survey period to ascertain the views of school pupils, once the new term begins.

The Community Council will publicise the survey as widely as possible, through leaflets, posters, social media and the media.

Results would be published and discussed at a CC meeting on 13 August before any decision on next moves are made.