The £1m Community Fightback Fund (CFF) will keep all affected facilities open for an initial month while local groups register interest in taking them over as community-managed assets. Further funding will be available beyond April for credible proposals.

Additionally, a £150,000 Future Libraries Fund has been established to explore alternative models for the seven libraries SLLC can no longer operate.

Council leader Joe Fagan urged groups to express interest before 31 March. He stated: “Together, these two funds provide a safety net for all the local facilities impacted by the funding pressures on the council and SLLC.

“And I urge any groups who think they can find a good community use for any affected halls to get in touch work with us to help give them a long-term future.”

Any groups wishing to register an interest is urged to email the council before 31 March 2024, though expressions of interest will be considered during the month thereafter.

Groups which use that period to register and confirm they have a credible interest in their local hall will be able to apply for further funding so that SLLC can keep it open for a number of further months while their community asset transfer application proceeds.

Funding arrangements could include access to Renewable Energy Funds (REF) that are administered by the council, if the community hall or other facility is located in one of the REF areas in Clydesdale, East Kilbride and Strathaven. Other areas may benefit from further CFF funding.

As well as approval for the two new funds, when the council’s budget was agreed on 21 February a proposed cut in the management fee paid to SLLC to provide leisure and culture services was halved to £750,000.

Cllr Fagan announced that this reduction would mean Whitehill Neighbourhood Centre in Hamilton will remain open. He also announced that the CFF would be used to guarantee Hollandbush Golf Course’s future for a year while its members draw-up long-term plans.