Welcome to the second GCLT newsletter
At the Special General Meeting held on the 21st March the following Directors were appointed:
David Valentine
Helen Hayman
Damian Furniss
Maggie Walker
John Adamson
Carol Hall
Russell Hayman
Andy Wilkins
Owen Morgan
Terry Kitchen
Fiona Clampin
Subsequently, the Board has appointed David as Chairman, Helen as Secretary and Damian as Treasurer. Membership of the GCLT has been steadily growing and has now reached 70. This represents a large percentage of the village population showing its support for the work that is currently taking place in seeking to provide the village with a small affordable housing scheme.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL START AT 7.00 pm on THURSDAY 9th MAY in the VILLAGE HALL
The ongoing work seeking a suitable site and agreeing Heads of Terms with the Combe Estate has been a positive exercise and a preferred site has now been identified. The Heads of Terms are not legally binding in themselves but set out how and on what basis the agreed land can be disposed of to the GCLT. It is an important part of the process for the preferred site to be endorsed by the parish population and that is the principal reason for the Open Public Meeting on 16th May in the Village Hall at 7.00 pm.
This meeting is a key milestone in the overall timetable and assuming the endorsement of the preferred site, will provide the platform to appoint solicitors, a Housing Association partner and consultants to undertake site surveys and to prepare briefing documentation prior to the appointment of architects. We are currently preparing a grant application to cover some of the initial costs and further grant applications will be made to cover consultant costs etc.. Another key area that the Board will be looking at over the next few months is that of an Allocations Policy to ensure that the properties when built will meet the objective of providing accommodation for the local community.
I have commented in the past of the need to engage with the local community at various key stages in this process. The project must be community led and the forthcoming Open Public Meeting which will focus on the background to the recommendation identifying the preferred site is another opportunity for the community to show it’fs support for the work of the GCLT Board and it’fs adviser’fs.
OPEN PUBLIC MEETING IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.00pm on THURSDAY 16th MAY
The GCLT are continuing to promote its work and extend its current membership. If you are interested in becoming a member then please contact Helen Hayman, the CLT secretary, or indeed any of the other Board members. Application forms are on the website (www.gittisham-clt.org.uk).
David Valentine
Chairman
Company Secretary:
Helen Hayman, Gittisham Farm, GITTISHAM. EX14 3AX