Whalton Village Hall Committee

  Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on 13 December 2005 at 7.30pm

  Present: Billy Grix (Chairman), Alison Jackson (Secretary), David Adams (Treasurer) Sheila Lough, Nikki Blackett, Robin Wood, Steven Bilclough, Elliot Ward, Elizabeth Silvester, Joan Goddard, Richard Grix, Richard Sill, Jenny Stevenson, Sue Richardson, Stewart Murray

Apologies: Vivian Thomson , Stephen Trobe, Martin Keegan, Fiona Ellis, Kathryn Truman, Geoffrey Holliday

100 Plus Club

Joan reported we have 177 members for year 05/06 to date. This will yield a profit of £825.

£50 137 Simon Glancy

£25 165 John Dickson

£25 55 Melanie Hinson

£25 50 Joss Jones

£25 56 Sheena Law

£15 128 Elizabeth McCoul

£15 119 Evelyn Hutchinson

£15 60 Thomas Urwin

Minutes

Minutes of meeting on 8 November 2005 read and agreed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

• Richard Grix and Steven Trobe have completed the works to Nikki's drive. Thanks expressed to them for this huge effort.
• Ernie is working on the notice board and has completed the work to the fire in the front room.
• The piano has been returned to the Hall and Steven Trobe has fitted new castors. .
• Billy will investigate the need for an alarm in the disabled toilet.
• The card tables are still an issue. Elizabeth will discuss with Lady Harrison.
• Mr Smith turned down the caretaker's job. Linda McIntosh has, however, accepted the position and moved into the cottage on Sunday 11 th Dec, commencing her duties on 12 Dec 05.
• Julie Potter was not surprised at the price for the cages to protect the lights. She remains keen for the work to be done and suggested she will pay for half of the work now and half in due course. Agreed to discuss further at the next meeting.
• The storage heaters in the cottage are not working. An electrician engaged by Steve Bilclough has established they have been wired incorrectly. Agreed to ask this electrician to effect the repair and all other outstanding electrical issues as the original electrician has proved unreliable.

Treasurer's Report

David delivered his report. As David has been unwell it was agreed and approved that Barry Swan will help out as assistant treasurer for the time being

David reported that the architect's fees are an additional £6k for work consequent on Rooney's liquidation.

Billy and David are due to meet shortly with DEFRA. The breakdown of expenditure has now been received from the QS.

Outstanding Account from the Roofer

  Billy reported that one invoice from the roofer is in dispute. He had hoped that the matter would have been settled but in fact the Committee has now received a court summons in respect of this invoice for just over £5K. Purves Ash is a second defendant.

Alison explained that Martin is investigating this matter and has had conversations with the QS, Purves Ash and the solicitor for the roofer.

Edited from these minutes are details of the discussion which followed about the case . The meeting agreed they were commercially sensitive pending settlement of any court case. The full minutes will be posted as soon as possible.

David confirmed the Committee is not insured for legal fees.

Caretaker

Linda McIntosh joined the meeting and was welcomed and introduced to the Committee.

Correspondence

  Letters have been received from Vivian Thomson and Gladys Smith. These were read to the meeting.

Vivian reported that she and Ian Johnson had hung the pictures in the Hall. All agreed this was an excellent job and Alison will write to Ian and Vivian to express our thanks.

Gladys had written to express her dissatisfaction with the position of the Land Army and British Legion pictures in the office. She feels they should be in their original position in the front room. Agreed Alison will write to Gladys noting her views and explaining that this will be given due consideration.

Bins

  Vivian also mentioned in her letter that the current location of the bins is unsightly. Linda said she would organise a bin to be kept in the Hall for recyclable items thus making better use of the blue bin. Agreed to investigate how we might disguise the bins by providing some sort of screen.

Fund Raising Events

  Lantern Procession 22/12/05 . Michael Cookson has supplied a Christmas tree. Pooled supper. Catering and bar arrangements agreed. Linda mentioned she may wish to apply for a personal bar licence in the future. She will man the bar on the 22 nd .

• Burns Night and Ceilidh 27 January 2006 . Agreed we will do the catering ourselves.
• Elizabeth 's Concert 18 February 2006.
• John Grundy is booked for 21 Feb 2006 .
• Rocking Zimmers 11 March 2006
• Northumbrian Evening with Ernie Coe, 25 March 2006

  New Groups

  Gardening club had its first meeting in December. Sue said the next meeting will be in February

• Kathryn has had great difficulty in arranging a new time for the yoga group. The only time available is 8.30pm on Mondays. She will ring round to gauge interest.
• Brownies will be on Wednesday nights next year
• Jean Holliday has started an art group which will meet on Tuesday afternoons
• Richard Sill is considering a photography group
• Stephen B will discuss times for a Badminton Class with Linda

AOB

  Richard Sill reported the Harriers are sending a donation of £50 for use of the Hall in September

• Stephen B said he has a contact with the Ashington Colliery Band who are prepared to give a performance for no charge. Agreed to fix a date at the next meeting
• Stephen B will investigate the stop cock in the gent's toilets as they seem to be flushing excessively!

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.15pm .