Aileen Campbell, SNP MSP for South of Scotland, has called on South Lanarkshire Council to reconsider its decision to close Lesmahagow’s Jubilee Hall as she led a debate on the subject in the Scottish Parliament.

The debate was held as ‘Member’s Business’ after Aileen lodged a Parliamentary Motion noting the widespread opposition to the planned closure among the local community in Lesmahagow. A number of MSPs joined in, some of whom echoed Aileen’s call and shared their thoughts and memories of the Hall. Summing up for the Scottish Government, Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford said he hoped South Lanarkshire Council would engage meaningfully with the local community on the future of community facilities in the town.

Members of Lesmahagow Community Council who had hoped to travel through for the debate were unfortunately unable to attend because of poor weather conditions.

Speaking during the debate, Aileen Campbell MSP said:

"The hall is geographically and symbolically at the centre of the community, and the fight to save it has been one of the most significant local campaigns in which I have been involved since being elected in May 2007. I am proud to have the opportunity to bring the issue to the Scottish Parliament chamber today…

"As far as I am aware, the [South Lanarkshire] Council’s review made little or no effort to discuss with community groups in Lesmahagow and users of the Jubilee hall their requirements or their opinions about the future of facilities in their town. Many of the user groups that I have spoken to since feel that way. Given the long list of groups that currently use their local facility, I am sure that members appreciate why the community and I find the council's conclusion that the hall is surplus to requirements a bit odd…

"I believe that the story of the Jubilee hall contains lessons for the maintenance and development of community halls throughout Scotland. I hope that the future of the hall is not settled and that South Lanarkshire Council can be persuaded to rethink its decision to close the hall. If not, I hope that, at the very least, the community will be given the opportunity to see whether it can play some role in the hall's future, whether through a community buyout or some other alternative. It would, I repeat, be a tragedy if the facility was lost, especially if the building was demolished or converted for another use beyond recognition."

Glasgow SNP MSP Sandra White shared her own memories of visiting the Hall as a child, saying:

"Many years ago—and I do mean many years ago—I and others from urban areas in Glasgow had the great pleasure of going to Lesmahagow and the Jubilee hall courtesy of our local churches, our Band of Hope and sometimes the Salvation Army. I do not know the village well now, but I certainly knew it well then. When I saw Aileen Campbell's motion, I rummaged through my suitcases for my old pictures of Lesmahagow Jubilee hall, which confirmed my memories of ma, pa and the bairns with their prams, the big tea urns and the huge breadboards of sandwiches and buns.

"I was sad to hear about the plans to close the Jubilee hall; after all, as the motion says and as people have told me, it is an important part of the town's heritage, so I cannot understand why it cannot be saved for future generations, not just of people from Lesmahagow but of people who might visit the town, as I did so many years ago. Indeed, the fight to save the Jubilee hall might well bring in tourists…

Responding on behalf of the Scottish Government, Minister for Parliamentary Business Bruce Crawford said:

"The Government strongly believes in the importance of community facilities in supporting community empowerment, particularly in rural areas. We back up our belief by providing funding through rural community development grants, supporting the development of other assets such as schools…and, increasingly, exploring and supporting the benefits of community asset ownership.

"The rural priorities scheme under the rural development programme has invested about £5.5 million to develop rural community facilities, including village halls. In Coalburn in South Lanarkshire, which is only 3 miles from Lesmahagow, we have committed nearly £40,000 to the Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society for the upgrade and improvement of its community centre, which provides facilities for nearly 50 community groups each week. Groups from mothers and toddlers to special needs and pensioner groups will benefit from improved access through a new porch and access ramps…

"I understand that officials in South Lanarkshire Council are committed to continuing to speak with local groups about the provision of community facilities in Lesmahagow. I welcome that commitment and strongly encourage the council to think creatively and boldly about the future of the Jubilee hall and how the community might be involved in shaping it….

"I thank Aileen Campbell for giving us the opportunity to debate this important topic. I wish all the people of Lesmahagow best wishes in their on-going efforts to help their community thrive."

Speaking outside the Chamber after the debate, Aileen Campbell MSP said:

"It was a privilege to lead this debate in the Scottish Parliament and bring the concerns of people in Lesmahagow to the heart of our country’s democratic life.

"The Jubilee Hall is a well-used and much-loved feature of life in Lesmahagow and I hope hearing other Members of the Scottish Parliament speak up for the Hall will help the Council reconsider its plans for closure.

"Questions have to be asked about why the Council was prepared to take £500,000 from its reserves to purchase the Fountain building which is lying empty and mothballed, but it is unwilling to invest in the Jubilee Hall where there’s always something going on.

"The Government Minister and other MSPs raised some interesting ideas during debate, including examples from elsewhere and the possibility of bringing a petition about the Hall to the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee. I’ll certainly be working with the community council and user groups to see how we can take these ideas forward.

"This campaign’s not over, and even if the Council does press ahead with closure, I hope the community can work together to find a way to preserve this wonderful building."

The Official Report of the dabte can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-10/sor0114-02.htm#Col22852