The Community
Grants and Project Advisor, Ms V Berkahn, introduced her agenda report and
responded to questions from the Rural Halls Subcommittee. She pointed out
that the Property Assets Team assess the maintenance projects for which
grants have been applied for, as well as undertaking regular inspections of the
condition of rural halls. A contribution from the Rural Halls
Maintenance reserve funds would be required as a contribution to the cost of
these inspections. Six inspections had been undertaken this year at a total
cost of $3000.
Mr Hosford, Parks and Property Services
Manager undertook to report back to the subcommittee on an audit of the
general condition and maintenance required for all the rural halls so
that the Maintenance Reserve fund could assist in the allocation of funding
according to priority need rather than a first come, first served basis. The
ways in which halls were now being used; health and safety, liquor licensing
conditions etc. all had a much greater impact on the requirement for rural
halls to be maintained properly.
A proper audit was required by the
Property Assets Team to ensure that rural halls were fit for purpose. Once
the audit had been undertaken, priorities could be assessed for a rolling
review of maintenance upgrades and the Council could work in partnership with
management committees on the maintenance and upkeep of rural halls. It was
also stressed that inspections should be undertaken as matter of course, once
maintenance work had been completed. It was also noted that the Council
should be informed on the level of building insurance cover for each rural
hall requesting grant funding.
With regard to the $30,000 pa Earthquake
fund, it was considered that a strategic approach was required to enable the
Council to allocate limited funding for earthquake strengthening in rural
halls in a fair and equitable manner. It was important to ensure that all
rural halls had equal access to the fund which should be allocated on
priority need, and capped at a maximum figure to provide all rural halls with
a share of available funding over the next 10 years.
The
maintenance requests total $15,779, and the earthquake assessment requests
amount to $20,500. The respective budgets were $20,000 per annum for
maintenance projects and $30,000 for earthquake assessment/strengthening
costs. Any unspent funds would roll over to the following year.
It was noted that the maximum grant was
50% of the cost of the work.
Te Awanga Hall funding request of $4,397.00 for the repair
of leaking roof to Meeting Room, including repair of water damaged ceiling
and walls. (Priority 3). It was noted that the total grant comprised 50% of
the physical works at a cost of up to $3,824 and a contingency of up to $574
towards consenting costs, if applicable.
Farndon Park Domain funding request of $3,361 for alterations to the building
interior layout and refinish interior. (Priority 5)
Twyford & Raupare Recreation
Centre Trust funding request of $6,288.00 to install a fire alarm and monitoring system. (Priority 1)
Patoka Hall funding request of $1,733.00 to fit a heat pump to improve comfort
levels for school use. (Priority 4)
Pakowhai Hall funding request of
$10,000.00 for an earthquake strengthening
assessment. (Priority 2) It was noted that the application did not
include a quote as required by the policy. The submission of a quote was
required for the earthquake assessment in order for the application to be
considered in this year’s funding round.
Maraekakaho Church Hall Trust Board funding request of $20,500.00 for an earthquake
strengthening assessment. (Priority 2) It was noted that Maraekakaho Church
Hall had not yet uplifted a grant of $12,938 granted in 2017 for painting of
roof and hall exterior. In accordance with the policy, if this grant was not
uplifted by 4 December 2018, the Maraekakaho Church Hall would need to
reapply in 2019.
It was noted that a quote for a preliminary seismic assessment had
been received, together with an estimate of the remedial work required. Until
the seismic assessment had been undertaken, the quantum of the remedial
work (if any), was not yet known.
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