VILLAGE HALL NEWS SHEET APRIL 2010

Welcome to the April update on what's going on with the new Hall. We have continued to make good progress over the past few weeks, so here's where we are, what's happened and what's planned.

Finance
Sale of Assets
o The old Community Hall is attracting significant interest from potential buyers since it went on the market with Abbott's. Sealed bids will be opened at the end of April.
o We have also commenced sale of the housing plots on the Playing Field and this is running approximately a month later than the community hall sale.

Grant Funding
o We have received confirmation of the first part of the grant for the installation of sustainable energy sources for the new Hall.
o The second part of the work has now started, with the consultants working with the architects to finalise what will be required to, in turn enable drawings to be completed for the revised planning application (see below).
o In addition, we have applied to the Broads Authority Sustainable Development Fund for funding of heat pumps inside the building. This is similar to that which Neatishead village hall received last year and we are very hopeful of a positive response.
o We have joined the Norfolk Playing Fields Association which enables us to apply for further funding, specifically on outdoor sports provision.
o However, we are still waiting to hear whether we have been successful with a Norfolk Community Fund Grant, which will help to pay some of the professional work, fees etc, which would otherwise have to be done at risk.

Potential Benefactors
o A number of potential charitable benefactors have been contacted, with a view to securing further funding. Initial responses have so far been positive, with some £35,000 already secured.
o Where possible, we are looking to both gift aid and Sports Match any commercial funding, as this could significantly increase what we actually receive.

Design and Planning
o At the time of writing, our Architects have now almost completed the revised design and layout for the building and its surroundings.
o The sustainable energy consultants have now finalised the orientation of the Hall, in order to maximise solar gain.
o The revised Planning Application will be made by the end of April.

Charity Issues
Hickling Playing Field Charity
o Readers will remember that we applied to the Charity Commission to change the "objects" of the Charity, in order to allow indoor as well as outdoor recreation, and to sell the building plots on the playing field. We have now supplied further information and gained initial approval of the Commission in early April.
o The scheme to sell the plots has been published and can be viewed at the Parish Clerk's or the Charity Commission.
o In addition, we have appointed three independent Trustees to overcome any potential conflict of interest between the Parish Council and the Charity.
o It is our intention that the new facility will be owned and run by the charity, as opposed to the Parish Council, for the benefit of the village. This will have a number of significant benefits; not least in terms of potential funding, which would otherwise not be available.

Business Planning
o We have now completed the initial draft of the proposed Business Plan for running the new Hall and its associated activities.
o Initial estimates, based on a very prudent financial approach, show that the facility will provide a surplus from the first year and will not be a burden on the Parish precept.
o Readers may have seen in the Parish Council minutes that, as the Charity is not permitted to borrow money, the Parish Council agreed to raise a capital loan to fund any shortfall in the capital funding of the building. This will not be confirmed until we know the actual build cost and will only proceed if the business plan shows the clear ability of the Charity to repay it.

Parish Meeting 2010
o We have put the Parish Meeting back to late May this year, to enable a full presentation on the new Hall to take place. A number of further key points should have been resolved by then and we hope to be able to provide a positive update.
o If you have any questions or issues you would like answered at the meeting, please contact Shirley Sainsbury, so that they can be put on the agenda.