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!
Minutes
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.
Committee meeting, May 4th 2023
Highlights: Committee agreed to instruct CSY to go ahead with Planning Application!
The latest report from our QS showed substantial rises in costs since the first estimates, 2 and half years ago. The committee has spent a great deal of time going through costs with the QS and the increases are now in line with what would be expected, considering the national levels of inflation, particularly in the construction industry.
The committee discussed the need for a small petrol generator to be kept on site. This is for emergencies only, so that the hall can be a reliable warm space during extended power cuts. It will work in tandem with solar panels and a battery, and can therefore be smaller than would otherwise be needed.
Committee meeting, Apr 4th 2023
Highlights: Committee physically pegged out and decided upon an amended land purchase area, based on concerns over possible land slippage from the steep slope at the back border. New border will be few metres lower down.
Meeting planned with CSY to make some adjustments to drawings that will be soon submitted for Planning Application with ELC.
Funds finally transferred from old OCA accounts to new OCA SCIO one, meaning that the first deposit into the interest bearing Community Benefit Fund can be made.
Committee meeting, Feb 28th 2023
Highlights: OCA SCIO, as a charity, has access to up to £80k of grant money from Local Energy Scotland for any measures that reduce the carbon footprint of our new hall. Should enable us to really maximise our use of renewable energy.
The new bank account for OCA SCIO has finally been opened! This means funds can start to be transferred from OCA, and we can then make our first substantial payment into the Community Benefit Fund.
Committee meeting, Feb 1st 2023
Highlights: First proper committee meeting since the AGM, as such tasks for all members were formally defined. Dates for committee meetings for the whole year were decided. Letter to Savills regarding land purchase is on hold, awaiting further details, but this does not specifically hold up Planning application for the hall.