Highlights: ELC advised that we should hear back on the village hall pre planning application by 22nd Feb. Purchase of village hall land shows no progress, despite all being agreed between OCA and the estate. On-demand bus service to start potentially as early as 12th Feb!
Minutes
OCA/OCA SCIO AGMs, January 28th 2024
Highlights: AGMs for both OCA bodies took place. Both committees were re-elected, with the welcome addition of Iain Blackwood. Major project update on the new hall was given, following the AGMs.
Committee meeting, January 9th 2024
Highlights: Correspondence between CSY and the ELC on the Pre Planning application has begun, with some focus on the suggested parking area. Committee agreed on the need to increase efforts to contact Community Windpower regarding their financial contribution to the hall project.
AGM preparation underway!
Committee meeting, December 5th 2023
Highlights: Pre Planning application draft has been supplied by CSY for OCA committee to read over before submission.
Christmas and New Year’s Day parties planned, as well as upcoming AGM!
Committee meeting, November 7th 2023
Highlights: Pre Planning application work has begun in CSY and they plan an onsite visit to better assess parking options. Legal fees for the land purchase have been advised and although larger than expected, OCA agreed to go ahead with the purchase. Children’s Christmas party will be December 17th!
Committee meeting, October 3rd 2023
Highlights: CSY have contacted with ELC Planning and Roads to clear up apparent contradictions vs published Planning Standards regarding the parking requirements for the new hall. Awaiting response. Various parking schemes have been discussed between CSY and OCA. The point of maintaining the conservation status of the village green has been raised as a strong counter to the most obvious parking locations. Land purchase price agreed – just waiting on precise legal fees.
Committee meeting, September 6th 2023
Highlights: Community meetings for the Local Place Plan were arranged. ELC have replied to the village hall Planning Application with some concerns. Key objections, amongst other points, were lack of new parking, and the moving of stone material from the existing village green wall. CSY have advised that we should withdraw the application and submit a Pre Planning application, which should facilitate more detailed discussions with ELC. OCA have agreed to this.
Committee meeting, August 1st 2023
Highlights: The committee’s response to the land purchase offer made by Savilles has been sent, and we await a reply…
The village hall Planning Application has now been submitted!
Committee meeting, July 4th 2023
Highlights: An offer of a purchase price for the village hall land has been received. The committee felt the offer was far too high and have drafted a letter in response.
The Planning Application is now only waiting on clarification on pricing before going live on the ELC website.
Works is under way to get OCA SCIO officially recognised as a VAT-exempt charity. This will save us substantial amounts on the hall build.
Committee meeting, June 8th 2023
Highlights: Planning Application for the village hall has been submitted! Still waiting for it to be live on the East Lothian Council website, but a real big step forward!
The committee is pursuing an official VAT exemption certificate from HMRC, base on our charitable status.
Points from the community regarding bike racks in the village, and on disabled access to the new hall across the village have been noted.