## Community Centre AGM – Chairman’s Report for 2020 

At the end of 2019, the Community Centre had in place plans for a busy and exciting 2020. From fund-raising events such as the celebration of the 25[th] annual Village Show, to major projects like renovating the top floor space. However due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, the Centre has faced some unprecedented challenges over the last 12 months. 

The first national lockdown was enforced on 23[rd] March 2020, requiring the Community Centre to close its doors and cancel bookings. During this time, the committee took the opportunity to organise routine maintenance jobs and looked to progress projects that could be completed safely during this period. As part of this work, repairs were carried out to the roof and the ceiling in the Robinson room, the overgrown kitchen garden was cleared, and an attempt was made to fix damp issues in the Hawkins room. The committee also looked into options for storage to support a local amateur dramatics group. 

Supporting the community, the centre provided space to Bishopsteignton Emergency Response Team (BERT) to store food and essential supplies. In addition, the Centre helped local businesses with requests of storage of other items throughout this time. 

With the lockdown in place and realisation that the Covid-19 pandemic was going to affect the community for a significant period of time, the committee aimed to make the Centre Covid secure. This preparation enabled us to be ready to offer a safe and secure environment, when the time came to opening its doors. This undertaking was a new experience for committee members but the team worked hard to understand expectations and put in place the correct Covid procedures. In addition, we surveyed our users to gather feedback on what measures they would like to see to make them feel secure. A number of policies were updated, social distancing measures were put in place and sanitisers and cleaning facilities were installed throughout the Centre. 

On the 13[th] September 2020 (by no easy feat) the building cautiously reopened its doors to the public. Although only a few bookings took place at the Centre each week, it was a welcomed return to a bit of normality again. During December we were able to erect our outdoor Christmas tree and held what looks like becoming our annual dress the tree fundraiser, which was well supported by the village. This sadly was one of only a few fundraisers the Centre could hold in 2020. 

The Community Centre’s income has been greatly affected by the national lockdowns and although there were some reserves available, we were not sure whether these would be enough to see us through. However, we have been fortunate to secure successful applications for some national grants that were made available by the government. This has allowed the Centre to remain heated over winter, essentially for a building of this age, and regularly cleaned / maintained until the times comes to reopen. 

We are not sure what the future holds or when restrictions will be reduced. Yet, we are continuing to make plans for the Centre with the hope that new LED 



lightening will be installed in the Hawkins room, the outside railings are painted, a new projector and screen installed in the Robinson room, and we are investigating the viability of renovating the Centre’s toilet blocks with the help of some additional grants. 

In conclusion, I must thank all members of the committee for their continued contribution, as well as all groups and individuals for their continued support in using the Centre where it has been possible. I look forward to opening our doors once again when the time is right and seeing many of our users in the Centre during 2021. 



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