Minutes of Town Hall Sub-Committee
Meeting held in the Town Hall Council Chamber on Wednesday
29th July 2009 at 7.30pm
1. PRESENT:
Cllrs Bennett (Chair) Carr, Sizer, Williams, S. Michell, C.
Michell, Ford (Town Mayor) Hooton & Evitt
Also present two members of the public.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: - Councillor McSheehy
3. REVIEW OF DRAFT TRANSFER DOCUMENT
Cllr Bennett explained that the purpose of the meeting was to
consider amendments and additions to the draft document provided by
ETHIC (in support of the Town Hall transfer) prior to obtaining
independent legal advice. He said he had spoken to Jackaman, Smith
& Mulley from Diss who would be prepared to act on behalf of
the Town Council. They had pointed out that the initial transfer
must be driven by ETHIC. Ltd and the return transfer ultimately by
the Town Council. He further stated that details of how the Town
Council could transfer it back must be included in the initial
agreement.
The Mayor said she had spoken to English Heritage who appear to
have now changed their stance on giving money to Parish & Town
Councils. However, as ETHIC Ltd had made the original application
for funding there would be inherent risks (including the
possibility of losing the funding) and delays in making a new
application in the name of the Town Council. It was also indicated
that prior to advancing funds, English Heritage will require the
deeds of the Town Hall to be in ETHIC’s name.
The Heritage Lottery Fund will also not apparently advance money
to an entity who does not own the property.
Following this information, Councillors went through the
transfer document point by point making amendments and alterations
as felt necessary. It was agreed that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor
would detail these changes and then ask ETHIC to have their
solicitors (provided they were in agreement) make the requested
changes prior to taking the revised document to Jackaman, Smith
& Mulley for a review and independent legal advice. It was
further determined that an extraordinary meeting of Eye Town
Council would then need to be called in August to vote on the
agreement and confirm the transfer. Prior to this, all Councillors
will be provided with a copy of the proposed transfer document.
Cllr Bennett said that amendments would not be completed until
after Tuesday 4th August when the board of ETHIC Ltd
next meet.
Cllr Evitt suggested that Eye Town Council should obtain a copy
of the Articles of Association from ETHIC Ltd.
4. RESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN OF ETHIC Ltd.
The Mayor reported that she had received a letter from Richard
Dinnin, Chairman of ETHIC Ltd. tendering his resignation as from
September 2009. She said that she had spoken to Mr. Dinnin who had
suggested that the work of Chair could be broken down into three
main areas which would help his successor. These being:-
· Local Historical Link
· Local Fund Raising Link
· Local day to day activities i.e. reports, correspondence,
press etc.
Mr. Dinnin had also explained that the next funding application
has to be ready for submission in September.
Cllr Hooton said that a recruitment process has to be put in
place to find a replacement Chair as soon as possible. This to
include an active campaign with notice in the Eye Magazine and
local press. Cllr Bennett suggested that the Parish Plan would have
details of persons wishing to become involved in the community and
this may well be a place to start. It was also agreed that Cllr
Evitt would speak to Mr. Dinnin about the possibility of announcing
his resignation in the press and including in that a request for
any other individual(s) who might be willing to join the ETHIC
board or assist in other ways.
Cllr S. Michell said it was imperative that the tremendous
amount of work put into the Town Hall restoration project by Mr.
Dinnin should be marked.
5. TOWN HALL CARETAKER
The Mayor reported that the Town Hall Caretaker, Jim Stovell had
recently suffered a stroke. It was noted that a ‘Get Well Soon’
card had been sent to him on behalf of the Town Council. It was
agreed to advertise for a temporary Caretaker next week. In the
meantime, Councillor McSheehy and The Town Clerk are opening the
Hall for bookings.
MEETING CLOSED AT
9.20PM