Just 130 people across Falkirk took part in a consultation to decide whether or not the council’s headquarters should be demolished and sold.
As the Municipal Buildings are currently being emptied and furniture offered to local charities and good causes, there is no prospect of the buildings being used again – although the town hall will continue to be used for the time being.
However, as the site was purchased by the former Burgh of Falkirk, the council had a legal obligation to consult people about what should happen next.
A report going to Falkirk Council today will show that despite the small numbers taking part, there was a clear majority in favour of the proposals.
Of the 130 responses received, 107 agreed and 23 disagreed – making 82.31% in favour of demolishing the Municipal Buildings and grassing over the site.
There was also agreement that the site should be sold, although this was not so overwhelming, with 62 per cent in favour.
The report admits that the number of responses is low “despite the Council
attempting to gain as much interest as possible in the process”.
Councillors will hear there was no “substantive objection” to demolition of the buildings, and no viable alternative was suggested.
It states: “No community group has put forward any proposal to acquire the site under Community Asset Transfer legislation or expressed any interest in it.”
The report goes on to say that once sold, the Council would obtain a capital receipt “all or some of which can be used towards funding the new HQ and Arts Centre”.
If councillors decide to begin demolition, it will be the end of an era for the site, which was bought by Falkirk Council in 1946.
That purchase included a large house – Westbank House – and the Town Chamberlain’s office soon moved there, followed by other council departments.
The Town Council demolished Westbank House in 1962 and constructed the
current purpose-built Town Hall and Municipal Buildings with car parking which were completed in 1965.
Despite the fact that the buildings will almost certainly be demolished and grassed over, the future of the site is not entirely certain yet and councillors still have much to debate at full council today.
