Grant for local hall

SHETLAND Islands Council has agreed to grant the Hillswick public hall almost £93,000 towards its complete refurbishment.

The council’s social services committee heard on Wednesday that the community had raised more than £44,000 towards the overall cost of almost £400,000.

The hall committee has secured external funding under the EU LEADER programme (£228,000) and from the Robertson Trust (£10,000).

The refurbishment includes:

• provision of a new kitchen;

• upgraded clubroom and toilet areas;

• improved access and redecoration throughout;

• renewed plumbing and electrical systems;

• energy efficiency measures including new windows, insulation and relining.

The council had previously granted £20,000 towards the preparatory phase of the project.