Minutes of the Town Hall Committee Meeting held at 7pm on 22^nd July 2020

by zoom video link

Persons present: Cllrs Byles (Chair), Evitt, Brandon, Blake (briefly as his internet connection was poor), O’Mard, Smith and Berry (co-opted member)

1. Apologies for absence Cllr Hudson.

2. Declaration of any interests and consideration of Requests for Dispensation. None received

3. Public requests and community announcements – none received.

4. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 25^th June – noted and approved.

5. The PWLB deferral of payments for six months application. The receipt of formal approval of deferral of payments of the PWLB loan for 6 months by the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government was noted.

6. Bookings of Town Hall and future opening. The Chair noted bookings remain very sparse mainly because the government Covid regulations remain very restrictive particularly regarding any slightly sporty activity. However, a wedding enquiry has been received and the Zumba class will be back in September. Future bookings will depend upon how the coronavirus situation develops.

7. A new Chair and deputy Chair. The Committee approved the appointment of Cllr O’Mard as Chair and Cllr Brandon as deputy chair. The Chair will arrange zoom meetings with the Town Clerk and the caretaker, so they are aware of the day to day work of the Committee. Cllr Berry the co-opted member will continue to look after the fabric of the Town Hall building and to organise any repairs needed and the Town Clerk will help both Chair and deputy Chair as she has the present Chair.

8. Any other business. Cllr Smith noted that toilet rolls were being used in the Town Hall when sheet toilet roll should be used (sheets are required by Covid regulations). The Chair will investigate. Cllr Evitt enquired about the present state of the leak in the upper part of the building above the coffee bar area. Cllr Berry explained a stretchy fibre glass paint has been applied to this area which is in the projecting parapet not the roof and that so far, this basic repair has worked. If it does not a more extensive repair will be required using scaffolding (money has been earmarked for this job). The stain in the corner above the coffee bar area needs repainting. Cllr Berry and Cllr Smith may do this in the next few weeks. Cllr Berry invited Cllr O’Mard to the meeting on Friday morning to discuss with MSDC the cleaning of toilets required by Covid regs. Cllr Smith noted the caretaker has moved chairs from the town hall to the office in Tacon Close – the Chair will investigate this. Cllr Brandon asked what was happening with the red Biffa bin outside the Town hall. The Chair explained that the County Council will not take enforcement notice and that the chemist has no space to store it and that there was a concern that vandals would set it on fire or ignite a fire in the bin. The Chair will take the matter up with the fire brigade to see if they can advise on the situation.

9. The next meeting of the Town Hall Committee – 24^th September 2020.

10. Resolutions to Eye Town Council – none

The Meeting ended at 7.30pm.