AMBITIOUS plans for a community group to take over an iconic Moray building have been stalled by legal issues.
The Forres Heritage Trust has been determined for several years to take ownership of the Tolbooth – the “jewel in the crown” of Forres High Street.
But legal officers said yesterday that the group’s business case was not good enough to merit a community asset transfer (CAT).
One local councillor warned that granting the group another short-term lease, rather than fully handing over the building, would be the “kiss of death” for the project.
The CAT process is part of an overall shake-up of the way Moray venues are being run as the council tries to claw back more than £20million in the next three years.
At yesterday’s policy and resources committee, councillors approved the authority’s first-ever asset transfer for the Elgin Youth Development Group.
Meanwhile, thousands of pounds will be ploughed into a project to boost Elgin Cathedral after a historic trust was wound up.
More than 20 members of the Tolbooth heritage trust attended the meeting yesterday where, after a lengthy debate, councillors agreed to defer a decision on the transfer.
The council’s legal team said the deferral would give them time to work with the group to flesh out parts of the business plan.
Forres Heritage Trust was formed to take over the running of the Tolbooth and Nelson’s Tower when the council withdrew funding from both the historic buildings in 2010.
The A-listed Tolbooth, which dates back to 1838 and features a clock tower and courtroom, once housed the town’s police station and prison cells.
The common good asset is currently used once a month for Forres Community Council meetings, but the trust intends to restore and develop the building for wider use.
Forres councillors George Alexander and Anne Skene spoke out in support of the local group.
Mr Alexander said handing the heritage group a five-year lease would be the “kiss of death” for the project because the timescale was not enough to secure substantial funding.
He added: “The people of Forres are beginning to doubt that the council will even commit to a CAT of this jewel in the crown of Forres High Street. The only aim here is to make a common good asset work for the people of Forres.”
He said further delays would leave the landmark in danger of losing the support of the Budge Trust charity and of local landowner Mark Laing.
Mrs Skene accused Moray Council of being “unwilling to let go”, adding: “There needs to be a change in perspective.”
Mrs Skene proposed that the council approved the CAT – but monitoring officer Rhona Gunn said the move was “not competent” as the business case was not robust enough.
Councillors agreed to defer their decision until February 18 to allow officers to work with the trust on the business case.
Trust chairman James Duncan said last night: “We’re disappointed but we will keep going 110%. We spent many, many hours getting the business plan together. The four local councillors have been very supportive.”
The trust has been holding regular open days and photographic exhibitions at the Tolbooth, which have proved to be extremely popular.
The group, which has charitable status, hopes to instal lifts and disabled toilets to make the venue more accessible.
It was handed a one-year lease earlier this year, to give it time to prepare a business plan. The venture has attracted wide support from local fundraisers and charities.