Howgate Village Hall Association Minutes
Date. 21/11/25 Place. 23A Howgate Time. 7.30 pm Present: T. Schofield S. King M. Gordon N. Schofield A. Proctor I. McConnell A. McConnell Apologies: None
Business
Tom Schofield as Chair opened the meeting and welcomed those present. He intimated that the meeting was in compliance with legal requirements.
Last year’s minutes were discussed and approved by M. Gordon and A. McConnell.
The main topic arising from the minutes was the defibrillator. The refresher course suggested last year was now deemed unnecessary as the user is talked through the steps during the process. This was accepted by the committee.
The treasurer Sarah King advised the meeting of the HVHA finances. The accounts for the last period had been audited and approved by OSCR.
Sarah intimated she had created a more in - depth analysis of the finances as the expenditure was mainly on the defibrillator and should be viewed as a separate cost.
Accounts Summary
Opening Balance £1634.25 Expenditure £420 (Defib. Pads £106, Defib. Battery £174, Re-siting of Defibrillator £174 Closing Balance £1214.25
The committee were of the opinion that given the inactivity of the HVHA the financial upkeep of the defibrillator in the future would be unsustainable and the Chair agreed to approach the Community Council for support.
The Treasurer informed the meeting that she had contacted TESCO regarding their Stronger Starts initiative. Applications for funding had to be received by 17[th] November 2025. The application would only be valid as long as the HVHA was in existence
The Chair proposed the HVHA continue in its present state for another year and this was agreed by all present.
The existing office bearers agreed to continue in office for another year.
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1) The Chair informed the meeting that the Church and land were still on the property market as separate entities. A brief discussion of this resulted in the hope that a “rescue package” of the land might be possible by the community.
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2) It was agreed to continue with “Carols on the Green” as it encouraged social interaction. Sunday 21[st] . December at 4pm was agreed. SK and TS to arrange the festive fare and MG to arrange Santa and his helpers’ participation.
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AMc suggested some form of musical accompaniment for the carol singing. The use of a blue tooth speaker was suggested and this was to be investigated.
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SK to organize informing the community of the event including the liability issue.
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3) IMc. raised the matter of the seat which had been situated on the village green and had now been removed. SK advised it was in the custody of Lynn Macleod (Old school house) and was Recorded by being repaired.
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4) SK suggested that a Howgate village “Whats App.” Group should be set up to pass information among the residents. Whilst in principal this was deemed a good idea there were one or two problems to be thought out before actioning.
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5) The Chair gave a special thanks to the treasurer for her detailed work on the accounts which was endorsed by all.
A.McConnell