An Extraordinary General Meeting that was open to the public was held in the Ilmington Village Hall. The purpose of the meeting was to appoint Trustees to the Hall (as is required by the Charity Commissioners) and also to notify villagers of the present situation of the Hall and the possible plans for the future.
The Chairman, Dick Shurey in his opening welcome did express that (although the meeting was well published he was a little disappointed that not a great number of villagers attended. He stressed that this Hall belonged to the Village and was used by a great number of the inhabitants and the views of many sections of the village would be welcome.
In his statement the Treasurer, Mr David Derrington, said that although bookings for the Hall were good the income from the bookings did not cover the cost of running the Hall. To balance the books income from fund raising events, donations and the income from the Post Office was necessary. It was felt that the scale of charges for using the Hall would have to be examined by the Committee.
Reports on the recent Electrical and Energy Surveys were given and discussed. The Secretary, Mrs Anne Mitchell gave a report on the present situation regarding grants to improve the Hall.
In the general discussion there were two trains of thought in the event of no grants being forthcoming. In short these focused on a whether modest improvements to the kitchen, heating and stage should be undertaken with fund raising or to continue with more major work perhaps in the long term. A suggestion included a complete re-build although the general opinion was that the structure of the present Hall (that was over 80 years old) was unique and well-like by the villagers.
Two new members were welcome onto the Committee, Mrs V Carrington and Mark Robinson. Thanks were given to the two booking secretaries. They reported that there were no direct complaints regarding the condition of the Hall.
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