Proposal for new Seavington Millennium Hall
REPORT FROM SEAVINGTON VILLAGE HALL STEERING COMMITTEE - The Seavington News - March 1993
To refresh your memories as to who form the Steering Committee and which organizations they represent the list is as follows:
Bob Ash The Seavington Football Club
Ken Dewsbury Seavington Parish Council
Mick George Seavington Under Fives
Carol Ashley Seavington Stitchers
May Harrison Seavington Ladies Club
Brian Harrison Seavington Gardening Club
Janice Ash Seavington Playing Fields Association
A capacity attendance by Seavington Residents (we estimate between 80 -100 people !) packed into the sports pavilion on Tuesday 23rd February to discuss the possibility of erecting a new Village Hall on the Playing Field.
Mrs Eileen Zoers of the Somerset Community Council was present and gave a very interesting talk on village halls and the great benefit they offer to Village communities. She stated that many village halls had been built in Somerset over the last few years and brought with her photographs, plans and costings of some that had recently been constructed; with some, she pointed out, having a much smaller population than the Seavingtons.
Whilst agreeing that to raise sufficient money to build a hall is a very big undertaking, needing commitment from the whole community, Mrs Zoers assured those present that it can be done and that a new village hall for Seavington would have to be a great asset for Village Life.
Most people present at the meeting agreed that there was a need for a larger hall than is ;available in the Pavilion. The possibility of extending the existing pavilion was raised but this had already been considered by the committee who felt that the cost of an extension would be in the region of £15,000 and that the fabric of the pavilion is not in good enough condition to justify an expensive extension.
With regard to the cost of a new hall, after discussions with Builders, we feel that a new hall of simple design suitable for the needs of the village, approximately. double the overall size of the present pavilion, say 2400 sq feet could be built for £90,000 - £100,000 if built on the existing site. If built at the bottom of the recreation field this figure would rise to between £110,000 - £120,000. These figures would include car parking area, but if built on the existing site not for dismantling and clearance of the existing building, which we hope could be done by voluntary labour. These amounts are estimated on 1993 figures, a fixed quotation cannot be obtained until final plans and specifications have been drawn up.
The new hall would be built with reconstructed stone, cavity wall, P.V.C double glazed windows and doors under a tiled roof and would include main hall, kitchen, meeting room, storage space, sports changing facilities, showers, toilets/cloakroom and car park.
Mrs Zoers reported on the present situation with regards to Grants, although she did not know what the position would be if there were local Government changes.
The District Council and the County Council jointly run a scheme offering 50% grants for village hall projects up to a maximum of £60,000 (e.g total cost of building new village hall £120,000 - Grant for £60,000). The District Council contributes 20% and County Council 30%. The remaining 50% has to come from the community (i.e Parish Council, fund raising, covenants, legacies, interest free loans etc.).
It is possible for 25% of the total cost to come from the Parish Council precept, with this money being set aside in a special fund in readiness for commencement of the project and spread out over a period of many years.
The grant application has to be submitted before 30th June each year for the project to be funded in the following financial year i.e. we would be looking to submit an application by 30th June 1994 for first payment of grant in year commencing April 1995. If a grant is awarded work must commence and some grant must be claimed within that year. The project must be completed and the final grant payment claimed within three years from then.
By the time the first payment of grant is approved, one third of the Village’s contribution must have been raised through fund raising etc.
Based on all the above facts and figures if a project were to go ahead costing we feel, the maximum of £120,000 a grant could be obtained for £60,000; a Parish Council grant could be up to £30,000 leaving £30,000 left to raise through fund raising, covenants, interest free loans etc. Of this £30,000, one third i.e. £10,000 would need to have been raised by February 1995 (based on application going in, as hoped, in June 1994).
These figures we are sure are not beyond the reach of such enthusiastic people as were seen at the meeting.
After numerous questions and comments taken from the floor (all of which have been noted in the minutes and will be taken in consideration on any final decision) a show of hands was asked for on whether, in principle, the village was in agreement with building a new village hall. The result was overwhelmingly in favour with only 5 against.
Since this village meeting further discussions have been had with the Planning Department who are still of the opinion that they would definitely favour a new village holl on the existing site of the present pavilion. However, the steering committee feel that due to a strong response from people who would prefer to see a new village hall at the bottom end of the field, although it would cost more to site it there, the initial outline planning application to be drawn up will be based on the site being at the end of the field; we hope south west of the playing field equipment.
The steering committee have discussed all the matters again with Mrs Zoers who is now looking into the legal aspects of the whole matter i.e. Trust Deed and the application to the Charity Commission etc but she suggests that we go ahead and open a Bank Account and start the fund raising ! (We know several people have their own ideas already in hand!!)
The present steering committee have all said they are willing to serve on the new village hall committee and David Ades of Upton Lane has kindly agreed to come on the committee and act as Treasurer.
As there will have to be a lot of fund raising we still need more volunteers who feel they can help, to come forward to serve on the committee. We know you will get plenty of help.
We feel we might need in particular professional advice e.g. Solicitor/Legal Advisor/Accountant etc. so if there is anyone in the village who can help in this department please get in touch with one of the committee.
At the end of the meeting Mrs Zoers congratulated those present for making it one of the most pleasant discussions she had ever attended.
The steering committee would like to express their thanks to everyone for all the support given so far and we will keep you informed of developments through the Newsletter.