MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE held on Thursday,
11 May 2006 in the Parish Room, Village Hall,
PRESENT: Cllr Ian Wescombe (Chairman)
Cllrs Alan Burchmore, Gill Tripp and Robert Valentine
Anita Cockrill
IN ATTENDANCE: Carol Allart,
Parish Clerk,
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Peter Bradley, Dianne Payne, Caretaker and
Sharon Ross
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
1 MINUTES
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the last meeting held
on 9 March 2006 be approved and signed as a correct record.
2 MATTERS ARISING
Drainpipes
Cllr Valentine reported that Timber Mouldings can supply
square-section, flush-mounted type downpipes when
needed.
Security Fencing
The clerk reported on the cost of replacing all the palisades with
spiked topped ones which would be £3,600 + VAT. Spinners on the top of the existing fence
which would add 400mm in height would also cost about £3,600 + VAT.
The Committee Chairman asked that this matter be discussed and decided
by the Parish Council at its next meeting and this was agreed.
Front Door
The clerk reported that push pads have now been put on properly and the
door now opens and closes much more easily so the problem of access by hall
users and the trouble with the door being left unlocked seems to have been
solved.
The worries of the groups with young children in their care had not
been resolved but Cllr Valentine suggested that a shed alarm could solve the
problem quite cheaply. Members then
debated whether all exit doors should have an alarm but it was decided to try
just one on the front door to start with then consult with the Monday Club and
the Pre-School.
Grass Parking Area at Side of Hall
The clerk reported that the problem of vehicles being driven over this
area and churning up the ground was discussed in January when it was decided to
tarmac over the area because it was needed for parking. In March the decision was overturned because
this area is earmarked for a possible extension to the hall. When the state of
the ground was at its worst, cones were put out to stop access and most drivers
did take notice.
The Committee discussed various solutions to this problem and agreed
that except when the ground was very wet, there was no need to prevent parking
and that it was a useful resource.
RESOLVED that
1. hall users be
asked not to park on the grass in adverse conditions otherwise the facility
could be taken away;
2. drivers be
informed that the hall car park is private property and for the use of hall
users only; and
3. details of this be put
in the next Parish Council newsletter.
3 BENCHES
Members were told that one of the benches was now wrecked beyond
repair. It was agreed that both benches
should be replaced (and the second bench re-sited in the garden area). Members looked through brochures and decided
that the Phoenix Jubilee made of recycled plastic material was their first
choice and the traditional hardwood,
4 FLOOR
The clerk reported that she and the caretaker had recently attended a
seminar about floor maintenance.
Arrangements had been made for the manufacturers of a range of floor
care products to visit the hall and give a recommended programme of works which
should be able to be done by the cleaning staff. However, there is a problem with sand on the
floor which, however vigilant the play school are at sweeping it up, is left on
the floor. This is obviously a serious
problem and will ruin any efforts made to improve the condition of the floor.
Members were shown a quantity of sand that had been swept up the
previous Friday and discussion ensued.
The Committee felt that it was impossible to allow sand to continue to
be used inside the building but wanted to provide an area outside and suggested
this be placed within the garden area.
The space behind the Stand might be suitable.
RESOLVED that the problems be drawn to the attention
of
5 ROOF
The clerk wondered whether professional advice should be sought about
the state of the roof because a roofer had recently looked at it and said it
was OK, that clay tiles had a much longer life than cement ones so it probably
just needed some tiles replacing.
However, she reported further that Linda Green, a local chartered
surveyor had since recommended that the roof had definitely come to the end of
its life. She said it had poor quality
tiles and if individual tiles were replaced others were likely to get
broken. She also said that building
regulations had changed recently which now required insulation to be installed
when a roof was renewed.
6 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Valley Players Footlights
Cllr Burchmore reported that the footlights
had been interfered with after the Friday evening performance and before the
Saturday evening one.
Bar Room Door
Cllr Valentine suggested taking off the push bar mechanism and
replacing it with a normal lock that could be opened from the outside. This would enable groups such as the Village
Society and the Lions who use the hall for power and water to get access
without disturbing other hall users.
The meeting ended at 8.55 pm.
Chairman
Date