Hall Floods Consultation: Options for the Future

1. The hall floods

2. Consultation Agenda • Welcome & introductions • Background to meeting • Purposes of meeting • Share what we have done • Options • What we need • Open discussion • Next steps • There may be questions we are unable to answer at the meeting – we’ll take a note and respond afterwards

3. Background to meeting • Hall flooded 4th and week of 21st November (pictures) • Flooding history : last big one 14 years ago, smaller flood 5 years ago • Why it floods: between 2 streams, road can’t be lowered • What we have done since last big flood: culvert surveyed, pipes under hall, wall rebuilt, stream dredged, survey • Problems with status quo (volunteers, health & safety, future insurance, etc)

6. Purpose of meeting I - share what we have done • Held extraordinary meeting of PC to set up working party to look at hall’s future and recommend action to PC ( members = from PC, from hall committee, other volunteers). Anyone can still join • Explored options available, looked at funding, preliminary lottery grant application • Submitted insurance claim for cash settlement (have claimed £36,000, will probably get less, subject to negotiation) • Had inspection by consultant engineer from Mann Williams of Bath: confirmed foundations are sound

7. Purpose of meeting II-options we have considered (open to us as PC and hall committee) • Restore as is • Raise floor level approx 2 feet • Tank/waterproof outside of hall • Demolish existing hall to slab & rebuild • Others? may be raised in discussion time

8. Restore as is (from current state) • Remove & replace kitchen units, skirting, stage, damaged doors, plaster (to dado rail in main hall, 1m elsewhere), redecorate & clean • Remove & replace plugs & spurs on low level, replace damaged heaters, test heating, hot water & electrics • Seal floor • Remove & replace flooring • Total estimated cost £36,000 (to be covered by insurance)

9. Restore as is Pros Cons Leaves flooding issue unresolved May have problems insuring in future Continue to need local volunteers for floodwatch (health & safety issues) • Virtually no cost (mostly covered by insurance) • Short closure likely

10. Tank/waterproof outside of hall • To create a bund 1 metre high built off the toe of the existing foundations in concrete approx 125mm thick with a lead capping. • Doors to be provided to be waterproof • Total estimated cost £33,600 (in addition to any internal restoration costs)

11. Tank/waterproof outside of hall Pros Cons Not visually attractive? Concrete to 1m height Need extra land for bund Still requires local volunteers to check hall in times of flood (health & safety issue) • Would lessen flood risk if doors are installed & operated properly • Less disruption/ shorter closure to install • Relatively low cost

12. Raise internal floor level • To raise the internal floor of the hall by approx 600mm in blockwork and a beam and block floor. • Dismantle & alter internal partitions and fittings and raise existing ceilings in the kitchen/toilet area. • Provide a ramp for the disabled at main entrance • Total estimated cost of £72,000 plus cost of changing windows if required for safety reasons (plus internal finishingseg carpets)

13. Raise internal floor level Pros Cons Loss of headspace Relatively expensive Potential drain on resources to pay back any loans Long payback period Potentially long closure • Will effectively solve flooding problem

14. Demolish existing hall to slab & rebuild • Dismantle existing building & build new hall in materials in sympathy to local architecture to floor height approx 600mm above present. Ridge to be built to same height as existing. Layout internally to be as present. Entrance would be ramped = estimate £200,000 (plus internal finishingseg carpets)

15. Demolish existing hall to slab & rebuild Pros Cons Cost Potential drain on resources to pay back any loans Potential long payback period Potentially long closure • Will effectively solve flooding problem • More likely to achieve grants & donations • Better appearance • Lower maintenance & running cost • Improved disabled access • More environmentally friendly

16. What about funding? • Hall reserves stand at £15,000 • Insurance (net of costs already paid out) assume £32,000 – £36,000 • Grants? • Donations? ( & gift aid if hall registers as charity) • Loans? Interest from 3.2%-4% pa over 20 years from PWLB (has to be approved by government) • Fundraising?

17. Purposes of meeting III-what we need from parishioners • We need to know what people want to use the hall for (eg exercise classes, parties, wakes, youth activities, music, art, clubs, competitions) • We need evidence of parishioners’ needs (eg accessible and affordable local activities, social inclusivity, community). Grant funders ask for this • We would like comments and suggestions now • We would like letters of support (draft examples here) • We would like to know if people would donate to any works decided upon after consultation

18. Discussion - Comments from floor

19. Next steps • Review comments/suggestions from this meeting by end February for March PC meeting • Draft ballot and notes for all parishioners (electors, residents, businesses) • Take results and conclusions to full Parish Council meeting and to hall committee for discussion and decision • Agree plan • Implement • We will communicate progress on the Parish council website, or through the clerk • Send your input to clerk@comptondando-parishcouncil.org.uk or to Trudie Mitchell, The Cottage, Chewton Rd, BS31 2SX