LANGHAM COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Minutes of a short Trustee Meeting
held on 23rd May 2019 at 8.10pm.
This meeting was called immediately after the AGM specifically to discuss the replacement of the central heating system at the Community Centre.
Present
Alan Cadman (Chairman), Liz Winter (Secretary), Maureen Shouksmith (Treasurer), Marlena Lipski, Daphne Bettle, Jutta Brawn, Andrew Craig, James Puxley, Liz Schofield, Mark Kleingeld, Sue Trimnell, Sue Armstrong.
Apologies
Denise Hobday, Peter Dawson, Bob Schofield, Maria Bucovenczki.
Proposed new heating system
Quotations from three different companies had been circulated to all Trustees prior to the meeting.
Alan confirmed that, when the heating and design engineer, John Barran, visited the hall in April, he concluded that a heat pump system would not be suitable for our needs. He recommended the air conditioning system quoted for by Sapphire. However, the Lambrothers’ quotation has been acquired since his visit and John gave his advice verbally.
Some discussion of the various options ensued. Sue Armstrong, who met all the contractors’ reps and John Barran at the hall, preferred the Lambrothers’ solution, particularly because it has a less detrimental impact on the appearance of the hall. Ducting from the three units on the field-side wall would be hidden in the roof space above the changing rooms. The use of stratification fans would not be necessary. Lambrothers also recommend a higher rating for the hall heaters, meaning the room should warm up in 15-20 minutes, and would only take one day to install the apparatus inside the hall, thus not disrupting hires too much.
Andrew raised several points:
• Were Lambrothers in a strong financial position? Alan confirmed he had investigated this and they appear to be financially sound.
• How would hot water be delivered to the Shop and Pre-School? Alan said there were “under-sink water heaters” costing around £200 each, one of which could be fitted in the shop and one in the Pre-School, which should be able to heat up to six sinks.
• Andrew and Liz S. stressed the need for a written report from John Barran to show that we had followed advice received from an independent expert. This would also be needed for any grant applications.
Sue A. added that John had recommended that thermostatically controlled fan heaters working on a timer be installed in the kitchen, foyer and toilets of the Pre-School. She thought our 3-phase cabling would take the extra loading. Future Electrics had been asked to quote for all electrical work and they would check this. Chris had also been asked to quote for a method of switching off the air-con when the doors to the play area are open. We would need other quotes for comparison.
Conclusion
Alan would contact John Barran as soon as possible to acquire a written report, which we would have to pay for, to include the quotation received from Lambrothers. AC
Once the report has been received and assuming John recommends the latter’s proposal, the Finance Committee can go ahead with the installation of the Pre-School system, as this is urgent. Motion proposed by Andrew Craig, seconded Daphne Bettle and carried unanimously.
Grant application
It was agreed that the secretary would look further into grant provision for the remainder of the installation. If the hall boiler continues working despite its age, we may have time to make some applications. Possible sources were Enovert (formerly Cory), UK Power Networks and the Essex County Council CIF fund. Unfortunately, these would take some time to achieve.
EW
The secretary would also write to Carol Harbach, the Parish Clerk, to see if the Parish Council would be able to help on the VAT front and to establish the amount of interest accrued to the Langham Community Council from the NS&I bonds. EW
Next Meeting
The next Finance Committee meeting will be on Monday 17th June at 7.30 pm at Alan’s house.
The next Trustee meeting will be on 1st August at 7.30 pm in the Club room.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9 pm.