Village Hall - 10 September 2008

MINUTES of the MEETING of the VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE held on
Wednesday 10 September 2008 in the COMMITTEE ROOM, KNEBWORTH
VILLAGE HALL at 7.30 p.m.
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Present: Mr Barry Hall (Chairman) John Bantick, Mr Ian Gilmore,
Mr John Hunt, Mrs Caroline Presland, Mr Anthony Titmarsh and the Clerk

Apologies: None

1. Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest


2. Minutes

It was proposed by Mr Titmarsh, seconded by Mr Hall and

RESOLVED “that the Minutes of the meeting of the Village Hall Committee, held on 18 June 2008, be approved and signed.”

Unanimously agreed.

3 Financial Review

Income for the first quarter is £5124, 19% over budget. Expenditure at £7661 is 19% under budget. No capital expenditure has been incurred.

4. Fire Exit

The single door from the committee room is often left locked when the room is occupied. This contravenes fire regulations. Alternative solutions to a dead lock were discussed but it was agreed that the lock would be removed to ensure it remains open.

5. Weekend Hire

The hall bookings have increased this year and there is often more than one booking over a weekend. It is necessary for someone to ensure that the floor is clean for the next hire. This is not part of the caretaker’s contract and the clerk has been undertaking the role where necessary. However it can take between one and two hours to ensure the hall is ready for the next hirer. Unless an alternative solution is found the clerk is unable to take more than one booking at the weekend.

The committee recommended employing a weekend cleaner. This would be an ad hoc service. The clerk is to contact Woolmer Green Parish Council which employs a weekend cleaner for its hall. Mrs Presland is aware of a cleaning agency which might be able take on the role.

6. Disabled Ramp

The clerk is still trying to obtain further quotes for a grant application. A suggestion from one contractor proposed the steps stay in their current location and the ramp is brought straight out central to the platform. One and a half car parking spaces would still be lost but the
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ramp would not interfere with the gas main or the drains. The committee did not approve or reject the proposal.

7. Equipment

The committee requested a quote for a chair transporter to carry 8-10 chairs rather than 4.

8. Any Other Business

8.1 RAG Weekend Hire
The committee agreed that the hall should not be let to students, wishing to use it for a sleepover prior to visiting Stevenage as part of a RAG weekend.

8.2 Premises Supervisor
Mr TItmarsh informed the committee that there are changes proposed regarding the requirement for an individual to be responsible for the license of a village hall. The clerk is currently the designated premises supervisor



There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.07pm