Post date: Sep 04, 2015 3:37:54 PM
Minutes of a Trustees meeting of the North Chelmsford Community Trust - held on 16th July 2015
Present: Stephen Robinson (SR - Chair), Lynne Foster(LVF - sec), Rev Paul Greenland (PG- Treas), Jude Deakin (JD), Jill Smith Hughes (JSH)
Apologies – none
Updates
Treasurer - NCCT now has a functioning bank account. This means we can register for ‘My Donate’ - it is important that people can donate online.
The Inland Revenue now recognises NCCT as a charity for tax purposes.
Chair – SR had spoken to the officer responsible for ECC property about the possibility of Melbourne police station being given or leased to NCCT. SR had also spoken to Nick Alston (Police Commissioner) who appeared to be supportive. To make the case for having the building as open to the public, it would be useful to show that there was a community need for the building. This may be hindered by the CHP ‘Hub’ being around the corner. However that did not operate outside of office hours and there was a need for a facility that opened at different times.
It was agreed that it would be of great benefit to start the activity of the community trust in the old police station as the St Peters site was likely to take years to come to fruition.
NCCT needs to register the police station as an Asset of Community Value, to stop it being sold off for a period of at least six months. JD agreed to do this and to ask Nick Eveleigh if NCCT took over the building – would we qualify for 100% charitable tax relief.
We need to find the group of ‘passionate people’ who would take forward activities in the old police station.
Who would take the lease of the building on behalf of NCCT? County Council and City Council were both possibilities. LVF agreed to speak to Carl Hockey of CHP. (Post meeting note: CH did not think this would be a possibility for CHP at this time – we need to approach CHP at a more senior level director or CEO.)
It was agreed there are funding opportunities around - but the people who need to apply are those who are passionate about providing facilities in the local area. LVF was to draft an email to send out to the mailing list.
Similar to Moulsham Lodge police station
JD agreed to ask Mark Springett and Lorna Fuller what they provide in the Moulsham Lodge community centre which has taken over the old police station in that area.
New Schools on St Peters site
There were still plans for there to be two schools for those with autism on the site. ECC officers were still considering other educational uses on the the site. It is unlikely that anything new will be open there until 2018.
AGM
It was agreed the AGM should be on 16/09 at St Andrews Church. LVF would draw up the agenda.
Time and date of next meeting
Sept 5th 9.30 am at St Andrews Church.