STONE RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Community Meeting held on 10 August 2023
held at Moddershall Village Hall
Present: Councillors
Cllr T D Scrivens (Chairman)
Cllr A McCulloch
Cllr S Haine
Cllr T Mardling
Cllr M James
Cllr P Dimberline
Cllr T Banks
Parish Clerk L Davies
Public Residents of Moddershall
Representatives of Moddershall Indoor Bowls
Representative from Staffordshire Wargaming Society
- Welcome and introduction
- Cllr A McCulloch welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that the purpose of the meeting was to gather the opinions of the local community on the village hall. The meeting has been called following a building condition survey that has identified substantial work is required on the building. The building is over 100 years old and timber framed.
- Cllr T Scrivens provided a background to the village hall and ownership. The hall was originally a mess hut used at Cannock Chase during the First World War. The hut was moved to Moddershall, onto land conveyed to Trustees in 1924. Trustees owned the hall until 1989.At this juncture the hall was transferred to the Parish Council.
- The building condition report identified works that would cost an estimated £44,000 to undertake. The Parish Council had established a sub-committee to consider options available to the Parish Council with regards to the future of the village hall.
- It was also highlighted that that since Covid, hiring income of the hall had reduced whilst running costs have increased.The cost of running the hall in the current year (2023/24) is forecast to be circa £4,500, income for the year is forecast as circa £3,200.
- The meeting was reminded that that the Parish Council receives its funding through the precept (£17,000 for the year 2023/24) which is raised from residents of the Parish. Moddershall accounts for circa 20% of the Parish, Oulton 42%, Meaford 16% and Aston By Stone 22%.
- Funding restrictions and Community Involvement
- The Parish Council explained that whilst the Parish Council had reserves, of which a portion could be allocated to the hall, that additional funds would be required to undertake the full repairs/maintenance.
- Grant/funding available to Parish Councils as local government bodies are very limited. If the community, through a charity, ran the village hall then more funding streams would be available. However, all funding applications would need to demonstrate that the asset is strongly supported and used by the community.
- The Parish Council asked if any residents would be interested in becoming involved in running the village hall and forming a management committee. At the end of meeting 3 residents stated that they may be interested in being involved.
- Other matters discussed
- Maintenance/repairs undertaken by the Parish Council were discussed. Expenditure included new roof, new fencing, new doors, new kitchen and kitchen windows, car park resurfacing, new circuit board.
- The key findings/repairs identified within the report were shared. The longer-term maintenance requirements and structural repairs that may be required on the timber structure were also discussed.
- The possibility of building a new village hall was discussed and potential costs involved. A feasibility report has not been undertaken at this point.
- Usage of the hall was discussed. The hall is used regularly by 2 groups and ad hoc by a local business and private hires. Other potential uses for the village hall were discussed. Increasing the marketing of the hall was also discussed.
- Questions were raised on how a management committee would run the hall, be supported by the Parish Council and access funds.
- The Indoor Bowls Club raised that the cooker was out of order which they use for boiling water. It was stated that whilst one kettle is available but a further kettle would be purchased.