Village Hall AGM Postponed

As you are no doubt aware the Church Minshull Village Hall has been closed since mid-March in accordance with the Government's advice and restrictions in relation to the current Coronavirus (Covid 19) epidemic. Initially it was hoped that the closure would not be for too long and the Village Trustees outlined that they would look at the situation again at the end of April. Given the ongoing Government advice on social distancing and the general requirements of its lockdown policy, there would seem to be little prospect of the Hall being open again in the near future.

Ordinarily, by now there would have appeared on the relevant notice boards and on the Village Arena website, formal notice of the 2020 Annual General Meeting which, under the Village Hall's Constitution must be held be the end of May. Patently under the existing requirements for social distancing, a normal style of AGM is impossible. The Trustees have been exploring alternative ways of holding an AGM (an online 'virtual' meeting using existing propriety communications software such as Skype or Zoom for example) but after much consideration the overwhelming view is that the practical problems associated with this would be largely unworkable.

The Trustees have also sought advice from the Charity Commissioners (Church Minshull Village Hall being a registered charity) and the advice from them is that unless alternative means of holding an AGM are practical, it is perfectly acceptable for an AGM to be postponed until such time as it can be held as previously. The Trustees have taken this advice on board and have agreed that the 2020 AGM be postponed for a period of six months. This postponement could be shorter or longer depending on prevailing conditions in respect of the Covid 19 outbreak.

Given this postponement of the 2020 AGM, I have asked the existing Trustees if they would be prepared to extend their Trusteeship until such time as the AGM can be held and they have agreed to this request. The positions of Chair of the Trustees and Treasurer are voted for annually by the Trustees and I can confirm that both incumbents for these positions have also agreed to remain in place until an AGM takes place. Should any member of the public have any objection to the existing Trustees and Chair and Treasurer remaining in place until an AGM is held, then please make that objection known to me in writing and it will be duly recorded.

The Trustees are required by Charity regulations to submit formal audited accounts and report from the Chair for the 12 month period to January 31st 2020 by September of this year to the Charity Commissioners. The outline report from the Chair and financial summary for the 12 month period ending January 31st 2020 shown below, will form the basis of the documents to be sent to the Charity Commissioners in due course.

I would like to assure existing and potential users of the Village Hall, that the Trustees are continuing to maintain the Hall during this extended lockdown, so that when we can return to normal (whatever form normal takes) it will be ready for immediate use.

Thank you for your forbearance and understanding.

David Barrett

To get a copy of the Chairmans Report CLICK HERE

To get a copy of the Financial Report CLICK HERE