Parish Hall Committee Annual Report
We continue to work hard to ensure Strete Parish Hall is an asset at the heart of our community: being accessible, sustainable and always presentable.
*** Since** last year the woodworm in the roof has been treated. Whilst working up there the technician discovered various holes in the roof which had been stuffed with plastic carrier bags: these have now been fixed.
- The outside of the hall has been pressure washed with anti-fungicide.
*** Two trees** either side of the main gate have been removed as they were causing problems with the patio slabs and the church car park wall. There has been the added advantage of opening up views of the hall. We have had 2 large branches overhanging the church car park removed at the church’s request.
*** Maintenance** of the grounds continues to be a problem as despite various requests no-one has come forward to help. We are, therefore, having to pay for some of the work. Our patio benches were sadly condemned and 2 new teak benches purchased. Social Club had donated £200 a while back towards a new porch but after the committee decided not to have a porch as the back door was now a fire door, Social Club asked that the money go towards one of the benches: there is a plaque on one stating this. These have been treated with teak oil and stored in the garage for the winter.
- The dangerous garage door has been replaced.
*** Inside** new non-slip flooring has been fitted in the kitchen, inner hallway, storeroom and cleaner’s cupboard.
*** We have** a new cleaner who does 3 hours a week. She is a 6th former at Kingsbridge Community College and has a 4 week schedule plus extra when needed!
*** Our hourly rental has been raised from £10.00/hour to £12.50 but long-term users are still able to pay the £10.00. We have also updated our terms and conditions. *** Since January 2020 we have been negotiating with Western Power for an increase in their annual rent which has not changed since the 1980s. A solicitor had to be employed, paid by WP, to help us through the legal process. Eventually, in April, contracts were finalised. We are now in the process, with a different solicitor, of registering the Hall with the Land Registry. This could not be started until the contract with WP was completed - apparently.
*** Events** in the Hall have continued: Short Mat Bowls, Stretch, Social Club, Children’s Parties, a Christening, PC and Pub Share Holders meetings and an extremely successful charity Auction of Promises, raising money for the Red Cross Crisis in Ukraine A Line Dancing Class has started too. Our monthly events are slowly returning and we had a very successful BBQ and Jazz Band event last September. As we have the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations weekend at the beginning of June we decided not to arrange a Village Day but have another BBQ and Jazz Band event on 6th August.
*** Our finances** are still quite sound but we might have to think about alternative ways of heating the hall - solar panels, etc. We shall look into possible grants
*** Sadly** we have had resignations, one of which is Lesley Andrew our very efficient Treasurer. She has been unwell and decided that the time was right to leave, She has been invaluable in her post and with all the other work she has done in the garden, the hall, events, bookings and as my friend and right hand assistant. Luckily Danni who has moved into the village has agreed to take over and the handover is almost complete. Joan Kendall has also left us - her work, knowledge and support have been invaluable. They will both be missed but we know, when they can, they
will support Strete Parish Hall.
*** Lesley** and I had started putting our thoughts together to set up a Hall website. Danni has taken this on and is proving a real asset to our Committee and me. Once the website is up and running a Strete Parish Hall sign will go up in the grounds with the contact address.
I repeat: we continue to work hard to make Strete Parish Hall the best we possibly can.
Come to one of our events to experience our lovely hall and meet up with a really friendly group of people who are trying very, very hard to provide a special community facility.
Strete Parish Hall AGM
Treasurers Report
2021/2022
As you can see from the numbers, the year itself has been relatively successful, primarily down to the funding from Village Day and the regular events we as a committee have generated.
Costs have been higher than in previous years as we have endeavoured to bring the facilities up to date, with the hope that we can generate more usage.
It is important however to remind ourselves that we need to keep a positive focus on both revenue generation and the containment of cost so that we can build robustness against any future unforeseen circumstances.
There is still much that we wish to achieve in terms of up-grading, but for now my recommendation is that we consolidate our position and delay as long as possible any plans we have until we are better placed financially.
As an example, we have for the month of June only taken £120 in revenues from bookings, which falls some way short of our normal monthly expenditure.
A focus on this year’s Village Day and our main Draw will play a vital role, as well as any regular events that we believe will be successful.
I have tried to layout the figures in an easy to understand way, but should you have any questions I will be happy to deal with these at our next meeting.
Signed by ………………………………………………..
Hon.
Treasurer