The Innerleithen Common Good Fund Sub-Committee met to discuss a proposal for the future of the Innerleithen Memorial Hall, and to schedule the next meeting. Ross McGinn, speaking on behalf of the Memorial Hall Support Group, presented a business plan for the hall's sustainable future, and the committee noted the presentation. The next meeting was scheduled for 4 November 2025.

Memorial Hall

Ross McGinn, Chair of the Innerleithen Community Trust, presented a business plan on behalf of the Memorial Hall Support Group for the sustainable future of the Innerleithen Memorial Hall. He noted the community's shock at the proposal in the Integratis report on the future of Live Borders¹ to close the Hall. He said that the report was inaccurate, a sentiment shared by several other communities.

Mr McGinn outlined a plan for the future use of the Hall by the community, giving them more control over its use, including:

• income generation
• promotion of the Hall for hire
• expenditure adjustment
• ongoing building management

He stated that figures obtained from both Scottish Borders Council officers and Live Borders under a Freedom of Information request did not correspond. An examination of the hall lettings showed a decrease in number, which appeared to correspond with the increase to the cost of its hire. It was proposed that the cost of hire be adjusted to better reflect the size of the community, with a localised booking system, and increased marketing. He noted the need to provide reassurance over the Hall's future in order to generate interest and secure bookings.

Mr McGinn noted that in addition to the Hall space, there were several offices, some already leased and the remainder empty, and that the long-term security of the Hall was necessary to justify the advertisement of the leasing opportunities. He said that the Memorial Hall, built in 1922, had a long history of holding weddings, live music, film showings and conferences and it was hoped that effective marketing was to revitalise the offering. He suggested opportunities for partnership working with Eastgate Theatre, Borders College and the proposed Mountain Bike Innovation Centre.

Mr McGinn highlighted that no grant funding had been applied for by Live Borders in recent years, and that the Support Group, which was a registered charity, proposed to look into the grant funding that was available to the Hall. Furthermore, Mr McGinn highlighted past bequests to the Hall, a measure which could be revisited and he praised the enthusiasm in the local community for raising money for a variety of causes over the years. He hoped that an annual fundraising event would be held in the town to reduce the apparent operating deficit and ensure the Hall remained operational, and suggested that a Member subscription was also a possibility.

In terms of marketing, the central location of the Hall made it an attractive option for events. Mr McGinn said that there was a need for investment in good quality sound and lighting systems, as currently performers brought their own PA, with the local Operatic Society having to remove the existing outdated equipment prior to performing and hire their own PA.

In relation to expenditure, there was an intention to retain the existing Hall caretaker who was very accommodating and helpful to users, and there were also volunteering opportunities for local people. Mr McGinn stated that currently the energy costs of the Hall were unsustainable, with the aged boiler engineered to heat the entire Hall space with no option to zone the heat to offices alone. He suggested that modernisation of the heating system was to provide significant savings and the installation of solar panels and efficient glazing also a possibility, though its B Listed Building status was to have conditions attached to any modifications. He said that a new condition survey was thought to be necessary.

Mr McGinn highlighted the potential for a legal challenge to any decision that may be taken to close the Memorial Hall as it was a Common Good Asset.

Mr McGinn provided two options under consideration for the future of the Memorial Hall:

1. For SBC and the Common Good to continue ownership and responsibility for maintaining the building wind and watertight, with a management agreement in place with an independent community body (either as a charity or community interest company which was to require further investigation) to run the building in a sustainable way.
2. To pursue an arrangement with Live Borders similar to the one in place for the Drill Hall, Peebles whereby its charitable status was used to claim Non-Domestic Rates Relief.

Looking to the future, an energy audit was to be of benefit, alongside the partitioning of space in the main hall, Council Chamber and the larger office. There had been previous consideration given to building an atrium into the green space.

Councillor Robin Tatler highlighted that SBC had conducted condition surveys on all its Common Good Assets in recent years, and that the resulting data had been collated in a dashboard for SBC officers and detailed their condition and energy rating etc. Gillian Sellar, Principal Legal Officer, confirmed that the Memorial Hall was inalienable.

Mr McGinn reported that he had been invited to participate in the focus group that was to meet in September as part of the ongoing public consultation over the Live Borders review.

The committee noted the presentation.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting was scheduled for 4 November 2025 at 3:30pm, via Microsoft Teams.