TOWN HALL COMMITTEE MEETING

MONDAY 20TH JUNE 2011

Present:              Cllr M. Johns (Town Mayor), Cllr P. Allen, Cllr J. Godwin, Cllr J. Hart, Cllr D. Linney,

                          Cllr J. Lynch

1.           Apologies for Absence

None.

2.           Election of Chair

Proposal

Cllr Lynch proposed that Cllr Hart be elected Chair of the Town Hall Committee for the ensuing year;

seconded by Cllr Allen; all in favour

Cllr Hart took the Chair.

Election of Vice-Chair

Cllr Allen proposed that Cllr Lynch be elected Vice-Chair of the Town Hall Committee for the ensuing year;

seconded by Cllr Linney; all in favour

3.           Declarations of Interest

Cllr Hart declared an Interest in Item 6 – cheque number 004746. Cllr Hart signed the Declarations of Interest Register accordingly.

4.           Open to the Public

No members of the public were present.

5.           Request for Reduced Rates

a)           Towcester Evening W. I.

Correspondence from Towcester Evening W. I. requests reduced rates for its hire of the Town Hall on 14th October 2011 for a charity quiz night.

Proposal

Cllr Allen proposed that Towcester Evening W. I. be allowed a 50% reduction on the charges due for its hire of the Town Hall on 14th October 2011;

seconded by Cllr Lynch; all in favour

b)           Towcester Choral Society

Correspondence from Towcester Choral Society requests reduced rates for its hire of the Town Hall on 6th/7th June (retrospective), 17th September and 12th/13th December 2011 for its Spring and Christmas Concerts and associated rehearsals.

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that Towcester Choral Society be allowed a 50% reduction on the charges due for the dates of its hire;

seconded by Cllr Johns; all in favour

6.           Cheques Issued

The Clerk distributed copies of the Cheques Issued List (cheque numbers 004733 to 004754).  Most items were ongoing; the following cheque number was noted:-

004745 / £1143.00 to D. J. Hutchings – works to level and resurface the boiler room floor

Proposal

Cllr Linney proposed that the Cheques Issued List be signed by the Chair and R.F.O;

seconded by Cllr Johns; all in favour.

7.           Town Hall Maintenance

The Clerk reported a serious problem with dry rot affecting the landing on the 1st floor above Bartrams.  The dry rot is around the toilet door, the window and skirting board on the landing and possibly onto the staircase itself, although this is not confirmed.  The toilet building has tested positive for white asbestos and will need to be removed by specialist contractors.  The TC will need to decide on how to provide new toilet facilities for the tenants as the current ones are not ideal.    The committee agreed to request the advice of Surveyor, Paul Brown.  Cllr Lynch reported a damp smell in the stairwell to the TC offices and asked for Paul Brown to check whether a problem exists there too.  The Clerk advised that the District Council will need to be informed as owners of the building.