Some suggested wording:
“Dear EDC Customer Services & Alan Bauer, Assets & Facilities Executive Officer
Subject: Urgent concern about Lenzie Public Hall
I write to formally object to the Council’s decision to no longer refurbish Lenzie Public Hall and to express concern about the lack of transparency and community engagement throughout this process.
The hall is important to me because: [Add your reasons here]
The hall was built with funds raised by residents on land gifted to the community for use as a public hall and has served Lenzie for over 130 years.
Despite repeated assurances that funding was available—including £500,000 initially allocated and later a £3.25 million budget—the Council made little progress toward refurbishment. Then, without prior consultation, in March 2025, the Council decided to cease all work on the refurbishment project immediately, withdraw from its agreement to lease the hall to LEAP, and declare the hall “surplus to operational requirements.”
This decision was made without any meaningful opportunity for public challenge. The community was given just days to react, preventing alternative proposals from being submitted. Since then, contractors have been seen removing furniture and items from the hall, further raising concerns about its future.
Given the Council’s previous commitments and the hall’s historic role, I formally request the Council to agree now and in writing to not market the hall for lease, transfer or sale for 6 months to enable any community-led organisation to look at the feasibility of / submit a Community Asset Transfer. This time is needed to give everyone involved (the community, EDC Officers, elected representatives and potential funders) time to work and engage together.
Without this, the interests of the community cannot be best served and protected.
The hall was built for the people of Lenzie, and its future must be shaped with full public involvement. I urge the Council to commit to a transparent process and provide clear pathways for the local community to secure the hall for community use.
Sincerely,
Name: [Type here]
Postcode: [Type here]”
How to use the template wording
- Cut and paste the wording into a new email or document.
- Fill out the spaces provided with:
- – your reasons for why the hall is important to you (optional – delete if you don’t wish to add anything extra here)
- – your NAME
- – your POSTCODE.
- Email to both: complaints@eastdunbarton.gov.uk & alan.bauer@eastdunbarton.gov.uk (if you wish to cc: MP, MSPs, Councillors – see email distribution list for addresses) or post to:
EDC Customer Services & Alan Bauer, Assets & Facilities Executive Officer
East Dunbartonshire Council Headquarters
Southbank Marina
12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch
Glasgow G66 1TJ
TIME IS SHORT. The Council were looking to put the hall on the market at the end of May 2025. This now looks to be the middle of June. ACT TODAY to ensure the voice of our community is heard.
Let’s show EDC our dissatisfaction as to what has happened so far but, moving forward on a positive, that the community very much wishes to work and engage with them (as well as with Councillors, MSPs, MP and potential funders) to explore, once and for all, the feasibility of a well-run community-led organisation taking on the hall.
A big thank you in advance for your support!