Presteigne Memorial Hall could be run by a new committee on behalf of the community under an agreement with Powys County Council.

Councillors at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 30, will receive a report to approve the trusteeship transfer following support from residents, groups and organisations in the town earlier this year.

The new committee would be expected to take full financial control, responsibility, and liability for the management of the hall which has been closed following an inspection in March 2023.

Cllr Beverley Baynham is the Powys County Councillor for Presteigne and joint leader of the Powys Independents. She said the hall had been a “huge asset” to the town and surrounding area for more than 70 years.

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“For it to continue to be used as a public building it is imperative the transfer of the trusteeship is concluded as swiftly as possible to the new community group who have stepped forward to act as trustees," Cllr Baynham said.

“I am very grateful for the work the council have done over the years but to secure the long term future of the hall I believe the transfer to the new trustees is the only way to ensure the facility will be open and available for community use once again.”

The report also includes employing the services of a legal specialist in Charity Commission Law to “guide and support” the committee through the process.

Powys County Council became the trustee for the hall in 1983 although it does not own the building.

The report said the hall is a popular building and has been run by a committee who have been funding the day-to-day running, maintenance and the majority of the statutory inspections in the building.

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The responsibility for the building was moved between council departments last year which led to an inspection of the hall in March 2023.

“Unfortunately the inspection identified that the building was not compliant in a number of safety areas and had to be closed with immediate effect," the report said.

Since then, the council has been working with the former hall committee in a bid to make it safe enough to re-open.

The council has since funded the installation of a new fire alarm and emergency lights throughout the building.

Talks have taken place on whether or not to transfer the trusteeship to a new hall committee who would be expected to take full financial control, responsibility, and liability for its management.

(Image: NQ)

This led to a public meeting being held in January at the Youth Centre in Presteigne to gauge support for the proposal.

The report said: “The meeting was successful, and much support was received from individuals, elected representatives, groups and organisations, such as the Young Farmers Club, local market, and other organisations who have links with local churches, schools and sports clubs.

“The new committee meet once a month to discuss the management of the building.”