Document Date
13/05/2025
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
Wollaston Parish Council
Wollaston Parish Council
Document Date
13/05/2025
Created by
Parish Clerk
Category
Meetings
WOLLASTON VILLAGE HALL MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
6.30pm, Tuesday 13th May 2025
Oasis Lounge, Wollaston
Present: Cllr Mike Goldsmith (Chair), Cllr Greg Carter, Fran Woods (Studio 52 Dance), Mary Burbidge (Treasurer), Kathryn Betts, Penny Morten (Busy Bees) and Suzanne Grant (Clerk).
Apologies: Maureen Green, Jaza Babar (Caretaker).
Mike welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies given as above.
The minutes of the meeting which took place on 1st April 2025 were agreed and signed.
None from the previous meeting.
Unfortunately our plans have been rejected by NNC S106 Team based on the demographic changes since the original Section 106 agreement was entered into, as well as the change in demand for the range and scale of early years provision in the area, they are concerned that the revised village hall proposals do not appear to deliver an adequate number of places to meet sufficiency requirements (nursery age children). We are still awaiting a further meeting with the S106 and Early Learning Years Team to establish if there are any alternative options that could support improvement or expansion works for the Village Hall, despite continuous chasing. Kathryn Betts extended her thanks to everyone who has worked so hard on this project.
See attached Accounts and Budget to 30th September 2025 which shows a forecast of £23,140.55 at the end of September which is a loss of 26% in a year. This is due to anomalies in the Utility Bills (£2,800 outstanding for Gas), Busy Bees not paying rent and the loss of the £5,000 S137 Parish Council Grant. Proposals for consideration include an incremental increase in rates for regular users and the re-instatement of the Parish Council grant. The Treasurer advised that April electricity bill was high @ £153 – suggestion to move to Hive in the future. Music license invoice received for £367.52 – agreed to be paid. The treasurer advised that the bank limit was too low for certain payments – Cllr Carter and Cllr Goldsmith to increase and also speak to Caretaker regarding the Electrical inspection for Insurance purposes.
A new bank card application form for paying cash into the Post Office was signed. The Treasurer reported that the Water utility bills are continuing to go to the wrong address, despite being advised of the Village Hall address – Treasurer to re-iterate to Wave.
Caretaker/Cleaner HMRC PAYE wages – The Clerk has been unable to set this up due to various issues. The Caretaker has not received any pay slips/P60 since her start date. Cllr Carter to speak to the Caretaker to consider self employed basis and also the new Chair of Busy Bees for advice. Treasurer to email Jado Kuin (cc Cllr Carter) regarding payment issues.
Bookings have slowed down a bit but there are still a few each month. I am trying to get a Facebook setup so I can advertise more, I will take pictures of the spaces and put those up.
We are having some issues with one of the regular users, Jado Kuin, the martial arts group. He paid his fees very late and also has not been using the hall each week. Mary can go into more detail about this. The election ran smoothly, and all equipment was dropped off and collected with no issues.
We had a loose step in the garden which was promptly fixed by elite landscaping. The tap dance class complained about the Lino floor near the main hall doors. It was ripped and one of the ladies tripped up (didn’t fall). I have put strong tape over it and have had no problems since. I don’t think we will be able to fix it as its Lino and the whole entrance way will need to be redone. I also haven’t had much luck in getting the crack in the main hall fixed due to the type of flooring so if anyone knows someone who could do it please let me know! Will keep looking for someone.
Kitchenware grant
I am hoping to get this done in the summer holidays if that’s okay. As I will need access to the hall for a good few hours. This is not an issue.
Please can studio 52 ensure all chairs are put back correctly and food packets are thrown away. Busy Bees, please can we be super careful with paint as it is staining the floor!
The cleaning is going well. I was off for a few days last week due to being ill. I will be doing a few days over school holidays to get some deep cleaning done. Will also be looking to get a more industrial sized mop for the hall to be more time efficient if that is okay. Please let me know if there are any areas I could improve on!
No issues. There are now 18 children on the register, 6 will be lost to school in September and there are 3 new starters confirmed for between September and December. The Thursday Toddler group is going well. Being unable to offer full days continues to be an issue. Cllr Carter to make contact with the new Chair.
No issues, slow uptake of new pupils. Fran Woods requested notice of the potential rent increase. This will likely be in the new academic year (September).
No reports.
Tuesday June 3rd, 2025, 6.30pm Village Hall Lounge.
Signed ……………………………………………….. Date …………………………………………………