## Purton War Memorial and Village Centre 

Our centre continues to create a hub for our community with access to sporting facilities, play parks and green open space. 

The Purton Red House still in its infancy under new management, is working on a project to install a new kitchen and refurb space for dining. This has always been our aim and the installation of a kitchen will enhance use, social space with funds to allow further enhancements “a space for all”. 

Thank you to those who supported through attendance at events, hire and general use. 

The vision for the future of this building is to create a sustainable economic environment for all with financial support to other areas of the charity to which it belongs.  All profits will go back to the charity which can only be a positive outcome. 

The Millennium Hall sadly is heavily underutilised and does not create sufficient funds to pay the costs of operation.  This is something that the charity will continue to research to change. 

## Purton Institute and Village Hall Charity 

The Village Hall has recently undergone change to its windows and the donation and installation of a new heating system by the Council to the charity.  This new system will run more effectively and efficiently to give greater benefits to the users and financially to the charity with reduced costs. 

The Institute Building is having major repairs to its windows during the Summer 2024.  They are crumbling and in need of urgent repair.  As a listed building in a conservation area, it is the charities duty to ensure it is managed and maintained.  The cost is reflective of a specialist restorer working in a conservation area on a listed building, in the region of £38k. 

The grounds team have worked hard during the last year to reinstate a small garden area to the front of the council office/side of the library to help with flooding and add to our Carbon Neutral Policy with increased planting. 

## Play Close Charity 

This small charity continues to plod along with little issue.  The Play Park is managed by the Council with no cost to the Charity. 

## Merger of three Charities 

In 2018 the Council were given advise to consider the merger of our three charities into a CIO (Charity Incorporated Organisation) giving greater flexible to source funding, suppliers, services and administration. 

We have been working hard over the past two years to gain this merger.  The new charity will be called “The Purton Trust”.  We are hoping to fully transfer and start operating under this new charity later in 2024. 

## Neil Hooper 

Chairperson 

Purton Parish Council