Cove Burgh Hall Management Committee
The Trust will have a Board of Directors who technically own the Hall; (nominal sum to purchase) and who have signed a legal constitution. They will be accountable to The Charities Commission for the running of the trust.
Members of the Committee who have agreed to become Directors are as follows.
Directors are elected for a three tear term on a 'no fee' basis. An AGM will be held annually. If the venture fails, ownership would revert to Argyll and Bute Council who would probably dispose of the Hall on the open market.
Douglas Dow has agreed to act as the Trust's lawyer.
Apart from the responsibilities of the Directors the day to day running of the hall will be by management committee, each member with specific responsibilities. E.g Booking Sec. Janitorial Services. Routine Maintenance.
The Hall's charitable status will be central to the fund raising policy in that it enable the committee to apply for grants from both local/central government and also private philanthropic organisations, e.g. Carnegie Trust.
Application for Lottery grants are being considered especially those of less than £5,000. Other possibilities include donations, deeds of Covenant and a 'Friends of the Burgh Hall' scheme.
Central to future finances, is the continued tenancy of the library paying a realistic rent to the Trust rather than showing as an expense in the running costs as it has done under A & B Council. Figures between £3,000 and £6,000 per year are being considered. The council confirmed its intention keep the library in the Burgh Hall and has no plans for to relocation. There have been no discussions on rent charges payable to the Management Trust.
The obvious difficulty here is the number of potential customers relative to the other venues currently available. In this respect the committee hopes to capitalise on the unique character of the hall, particularly its physical size, so that it compliments existing facilities (e.g. Community Centre) rather than being in competition with them. Better use of the Committee Room, the storage space and the back changing rooms is also needed.
Current thinking is that the rate of hire would approximate to that of the Gibson Hall, Garelochhead. i.e.
This will receive more detailed assessment when the volume of business is better known.
The Hall's current sad state of repair is a well-known problem. Making the hall, especially the roof valleys and gutters and the façade, weatherproof is at the top of priorities and setting money aside to achieve this is a major financial balancing act. Repair and eventual renewal of the heating system is another high priority.
Health and Safety Legislation as it applies to the Hall needs a really good examination and money/assets made available. Facilities for the disabled need to be tackled. One possibility is that a lift be installed in the tower space for disabled access to the library and upstairs rooms.
It is intended that the car park area shall remain the responsibility of Argyll and Bute Council.
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