Notes of the Meeting on 12/07/11

Welcome & introductions
Ian welcomed the 60 people present, introduced himself and explained that the aim of the meeting was looking at the possibility of acquiring the building for use by the community after the school community vacated the building, most likely in October .The Duke of Norfolk School itself was not closing but moving to a single site at Royle Avenue. 

We are grateful to head and governors for allowing us the use of the hall for this meeting. Special thanks  especially to Viv, a staff member who had stayed to open & close the building and to welcome everyone.

Background & purpose of meeting
The school was opened in 1854, provided by the Duke of Norfolk and costing of approximately £2k with £4k of endowments. The school building is currently owned by The Derby Diocesan Board of Education. When the building ceases to be needed by the school community it must be sold at market value, the proceeds going to the Education Authority to defray the costs of the new development at Royle Avenue. It is difficult to estimate the market value of the building. Figures of £200-500,000 had been mentioned, but this presumably included planning permission for residential use.(see blog under 'Valuation')


The School House is privately owned and is not part of our consideration. The owners are looking  to purchase. the room which is integral to their house and which is currently used as the staff room,.


Community needs and possible uses of building.
The following were suggested as some of the needs the building may be able to meet.

• A playgroup, family centre- including facilities for families with special needs.
• Derby Community Music Trust working with children and young musicians are looking for rehearsal space and somewhere to store instruments to store .
• Heritage trust -  may be interested in collaborating with heritage related activities - exhibitions, displays, trails etc. They themselves need a more central base.. 
• All Saints Catholic School has pressure for space in their existing building and would be interested in daytime use for assembly, PE and other activities.
• The Catholic Church may also be interested in 'parish hall' type uses.
• Possible venue for children's parties, baptism, wedding and funeral parties.
• Not sure what the school will leave behind in way of fixtures and fittings there are kitchen facilities. There could be a community café
• Possibility exhibition venue for local artists & craftspeople,.
• Old Glossop Womens Institute would be interested in holding their meetings as at present
• The general feeling of the meeting was 'that there is a community need, for children and young people, and older people.

Issues to be addressed

• Limited parking in the area 
• We need to check that we are working collaboratively and  not competing with the Partington, Adult Education Centre, Bradbury House and local businesses.
• It is important to stress that our aims concern Old Glossop as a community.
• Victoria Hall and Town Hall plans - Councillor Jean Wharmby had indicated that our proposals did not conflict.
• The question of licensing for some activities
• Is the land freehold or leasehold - School House is leasehold
• When school leaves who will look after it? Fr Ian confirmed security would be the responsibility of Derby Diocese until it was sold. 
• This is a long term commitment

The meeting agreed that we should seek to obtain and manage the building for use by the community and that  Steering Group meet to take the forward and report to a general meeting in September. Friends of Hadfield Hall had a helpful model constitution. John, a local resident who also works for a CVS summarized the next steps:-:


Next steps

• We need  a constitution before we can apply for funds,
• Need for Steering Group *  who will appoint officers, chair, secretary,  treasurer etc.
• Do not need charitable status, because income less 5k, but this might still be a goal.
• Open a bank account, 
• Prove to Lottery and potential funders there are real needs.
• As well as purchase may need other works on the building, plumbing, electrician, etc.
• Build membership, including news letter, web site etc.

* 8 members volunteered, others offered resources.

Next Meeting

Ian will convene a first meeting of the Steering Group to report backto a general meeting in early September.


He thanked everyone for an excellent meeting and also Viv and the School community for their hospitality.