Last evening 19 people attended our initial Community Hall discussion meeting at the Ale House. We also had 12 apologies from residents interested in the project, and wishing to contribute, but unable to attend last night.
This is a great response, but we need more volunteers through the project, so we will be asking for help with various stages of the project, in particular we would like the help of an architectural draftsman, to assist in preparing designs for additions to the building, and schematics for positioning on various site options that Council may define.
Last night’s meeting resolved to meet in the next week to progress several objectives;
1 To continue to encourage the Orakei Local Board’s support, and to ensure that all effort is made, and haste is taken to identify, and make available land within the Stonefields community, suitable for our community hall.
2 To establish an incorporated society, with charitable trust status, in order that we can apply for grants available within the broader community. We were fortunate to have Dr Maureen Benson-Rea attend the meeting. Maureen is a Trustee of the Mt Wellington Licensing Trust (which incorporates the Mt Wellington Foundation and the Mt Wellington Charitable Trust. Maureen has suggested that we should seek to make application to the Trusts and was encouraging with her positive support for the Community Hall, indicating that this type of project falls within the grant criteria for the Trusts.
3 As part of the afore mentioned action, we need to form a committee to establish the scope of activities required to run the project and the ongoing works, plus manage the Community hall as a community asset. This will include rules on how the hall will be operated, and is a considerable task.
Until the committee is established, I will continue to liaise with Council Officers and the Local Board regarding the land requirements, and providing Council with information that they require.
I am pleased with this progress and will advise you when the next meeting will take place, and for future opportunities to participate!
Regards
David Ealson
021 946976