Talks failed between the club and council, threatening the Proudfoot Institute’s future and affecting many local groups.
Talks failed between the club and council, threatening the Proudfoot Institute’s future and affecting many local groups.
Proudfoot Institute Lease Dispute Escalates, Closure Possible
PISC currently has free use of the building. They are in a dispute over a long-term lease. The lease would make them fully responsible, handling building maintenance costs and paying rent. Rent would go to the Proudfoot Institute Endowment Trust, and all 43 councilors are in this trust.
The council claims they aren’t responsible anymore, complicating the situation. The club feels misled by the council and trust regarding the changed lease terms.
A club member, David Booth, spoke about the issue. He said they changed the legal work by removing their own responsibility without talking to anyone, he alleges. He claims false information went to the council, stating the club wanted to take over everything.
He claimed they filed complaints about this false data. One was rejected, and the other couldn’t be investigated because the investigator retired.
Now, PISC might leave the Proudfoot Institute if they cannot reach a new deal. Booth expects the “eviction” to occur if they won’t sign a 25-year lease with full responsibility. PISC wants the deal they had before, including painting, cleaning, and small repairs. The new lease demands full financial responsibility, and legal advice warned against such a deal.
If PISC leaves, they have nowhere to go, and many other local clubs will also be affected. The trustees would then own an empty building, rendering it useless to the community.
The Moffat and District Community Council discussed it, and a councilor’s statement was read aloud. Stephen Thompson, a trustee, wants a trust meeting to resolve things. The council legal team is assisting.
The council will respond to the tenant soon, explaining the planned meeting. They will consider new lease terms at a later date. That meeting, however, was not enough to satisfy either the club or the community council.
Liam O’Neill, who chairs the community council, said the Proudfoot Institute has big problems. He stated the regional council took over the building in 1975. O’Neill finds the situation surprising and stated the building is now a district matter. The community council fully backs the club.
Mick Barker, another councilor, also spoke, saying leaders are absent, and no one will explain or address this, showing a lack of effort to find a solution.
A council spokesperson responded with a statement, saying they’ve discussed it with the club. The aim was to secure the building’s future for everyone involved.
The council started a legal process and stated any comment now would be inappropriate. They won’t speak about it until the process ends, leaving the club and community in limbo.
PISC currently has free use of the building. They are in a dispute over a long-term lease. The lease would make them fully responsible, handling building maintenance costs and paying rent. Rent would go to the Proudfoot Institute Endowment Trust, and all 43 councilors are in this trust.
The council claims they aren’t responsible anymore, complicating the situation. The club feels misled by the council and trust regarding the changed lease terms.
A club member, David Booth, spoke about the issue. He said they changed the legal work by removing their own responsibility without talking to anyone, he alleges. He claims false information went to the council, stating the club wanted to take over everything.
He claimed they filed complaints about this false data. One was rejected, and the other couldn’t be investigated because the investigator retired.
Now, PISC might leave the Proudfoot Institute if they cannot reach a new deal. Booth expects the “eviction” to occur if they won’t sign a 25-year lease with full responsibility. PISC wants the deal they had before, including painting, cleaning, and small repairs. The new lease demands full financial responsibility, and legal advice warned against such a deal.
If PISC leaves, they have nowhere to go, and many other local clubs will also be affected. The trustees would then own an empty building, rendering it useless to the community.
The Moffat and District Community Council discussed it, and a councilor’s statement was read aloud. Stephen Thompson, a trustee, wants a trust meeting to resolve things. The council legal team is assisting.
The council will respond to the tenant soon, explaining the planned meeting. They will consider new lease terms at a later date. That meeting, however, was not enough to satisfy either the club or the community council.
Liam O’Neill, who chairs the community council, said the Proudfoot Institute has big problems. He stated the regional council took over the building in 1975. O’Neill finds the situation surprising and stated the building is now a district matter. The community council fully backs the club.
Mick Barker, another councilor, also spoke, saying leaders are absent, and no one will explain or address this, showing a lack of effort to find a solution.
A council spokesperson responded with a statement, saying they’ve discussed it with the club. The aim was to secure the building’s future for everyone involved.
The council started a legal process and stated any comment now would be inappropriate. They won’t speak about it until the process ends, leaving the club and community in limbo.