THE first community asset transfer to be approved in Fife will see Kingdom Brass take over the old Kelty library.

The band will buy the building in Cocklaw Street for £4,000 and turn it into a music hub with rehearsal space, a new youth programme and storage for instruments.

Brass bands have had a presence in the area since the 1850s and Kingdom Brass have sought their own home for years, first submitting their application for the library in December 2016.

It will bring the vacant building back into use and the transfer was agreed by Fife Council's assets, property and facilities committee.

Committee convener, Councillor 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.

“I am pleased that members have approved Fife’s first community asset transfer application and the building 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.”

The council said the transfer would mean "a loss of a capital receipt of approximately £91,000".

A registered charity with more than 20 members, Kingdom Brass "aim to deliver musical opportunities to improve the social and mental wellbeing" of the community.

A council report added: "The majority of Kingdom Brass' membership is based locally and includes students, teachers and both unemployed and employed people.

"They offer a playing and non-playing membership to allow as many members of the community to become involved as possible."

The brass band have secured a £40,000 grant from Creative Scotland for refurbishment work. They will fundraise and generate income from other sources to maintain the building.

Linda Erskine, Cowdenbeath area committee convenor, said: “This is great 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."