MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE held on Thursday, 9 March 2006 in the Parish Room, Village Hall, South Darenth  at 7.30 pm.

 

PRESENT:       Cllr Ian Wescombe (Chairman)

Cllrs Alan Burchmore, Gill Tripp and Robert Valentine

                        Anita Cockrill

 

IN ATTENDANCE:    Carol Allart, Parish Clerk,

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Peter Bradley, Marie Meggitt and Dianne Payne DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None

 

51        MINUTES

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting held on 12 January 2006 be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

 

52        MATTERS ARISING

 

Food Hygiene Regulations

RESOLVED that

  1. the food hygiene regulations, as prepared by Alan Burchmore, be framed and attached to the wall in the kitchen; and
  2. a copy be made for all users (including frequent users) as part of the terms and conditions of hire

 

Radiator Guards

Cllr Burchmore submitted his report and it was agreed that the most basic mesh guards would be investigated.

 

Grass at Side of Hall

RESOLVED that the decision in Minute 45 (01/06) be suspended in view of the fact that this land is earmarked for a possible extension to the village hall.

 

 

53        DISPLAY OF PLAQUES/CERTIFICATES IN THE FOYER AND ADVERTISING ON NOTICE BOARD

 

A request from Riverside Kindergarten to display their Kitemark certificate in the foyer was considered as well as the general question of local groups displaying certificates of achievement or plaques that they meet in the hall.  It was agreed that frames should be of a similar style to those containing the licence details.

 

RESOLVED that 1x A4 size framed item or A4 size plaque per organisation be allowed in the foyer.

 

The committee also considered whether adverts should be allowed on the foyer noticeboard or whether it should just be for community notices.

 

RESOLVED that a charge be made for advertisements at a rate of 50p per week per A5 sheet (pro rata to a maximum size of A4).

 

 

54        VILLAGE HALL SECURITY

 

Members considered the efficiency of the new steel palisade fence as some thought it was climbable with rounded tops and should have spiked tops.

 

RESOLVED that enquiries be made on the costs of replacing the rounded tops with spiked tops.

 

55        DRAINPIPES

 

Members considered a request from Cllr Bradley that square aluminium drainpipes should be installed to replace all existing round drainpipes on the hall as the square pipes did not allow such easy climbing.  The clerk reported that prices were not readily available as the 2 suppliers that supplied the ones used on the pavilion did not now do them.  Cllr Valentine agreed to ask at Timber Mouldings.

 

RESOLVED that the drainpipes would be replaced by square ones as they became in need of repair.

 

56        FRONT DOOR

 

There was discussion on the problems associated with the new lock and push pad.  Many complaints were being received because 1) users could not turn the knob; and 2) the pre-school and toddler groups were very concerned about theease with which children could get out of the building.

 

The Chairman explained that the push pad with the bar attached should have been installed on the non-opening door and the second push pad (without a bar attachment) should have been put on the opening door.  This should make the door easier to open.  It was agreed to get Kevin Andrews back to put this right.  However, there was concern that there was enough wood on the doors where the lock should go.

 

The Chairman then explained that the ease of use of the push pads was important as it allowed those overcome by fumes to exit the building quickly and safely.  He felt it was the village hall committee’s duty to keep the hall safe for everyone and that the safety of toddlers was the responsibility of those running the various groups.  However, a switched alarm system was still being investigated and Cllrs Valentine and Wescombe agreed to continue pursuing this.

 

57        TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

This item was deferred to a future meeting.

 

 

The meeting ended at 8.29 pm.

Chairman

 

Date