A KELTY facility has become the subject of Fife's first ever Community Asset Transfer.

Members of Fife Council’s Assets, Property and Facilities Committee on Thursday approved Fife’s first Community Asset Transfer application which will see Kingdom Brass Band take over the ownership of the former Kelty Library, in Cocklaw Street.

The building will be used to provide a music hub and rehearsal space for groups and individuals, and delivery of a youth programme and storage of instruments.

Committee convener, Craig Walker, said: “The way we deliver services is always evolving.

"We’ve accumulated buildings over decades and many are no longer planned around what people need now.

“Using this information, we thought about better ways to sustain local services and facilities, and identified buildings which could be sold, buildings which could be used in a different way, and buildings which should be kept to deliver a wider range of council and community services".

He added: “I am pleased that members have approved Fife’s first Community Asset Transfer application and the building in Kelty will be put to use for the community. I encourage groups across Fife, who can demonstrate they can use our buildings for the benefit of their community, to get in touch with the Community Asset Transfer Team.”

Kingdom Brass, one of Fife's most high profile brass bands, have been looking to secure their own premises for some time.

The band has members from all over the Central Fife area and have been practising in much smaller accommodation in Cowdenbeath.

They first submitted their application in December 2016 after identifying the former Kelty Library as a suitable venue.

During the application process it was clear the group have strong links with the community and aim to deliver musical opportunities to improve the social and mental wellbeing of that community.

A report was then submitted to Wednesday's Cowdenbeath Area Committee where local members backed the application for approval at the Assets, Property and Facilities Committee.

Cowdenbeath and Kelty councillors, Alex Campbell, Darren Watt, Gary Guichan and Alistair Bain all welcomed the move.

Linda Erskine, Cowdenbeath Area Committee convener added: “This is good news for Kingdom Brass and provides a great opportunity for children and young people to be involved in music and feel part of a supported community.

"Kingdom Brass are an organisation embedded firmly in the Cowdenbeath area and I wish them continued success in their new premises.”