August 2024 Newsletter part one

1. Yet another month has passed and it’s been quite an eventful one, one which will determine our future. All members received an email statement from the Committee last month laying out where we were with the potential move to Waterlooville. This relocation proved to be far more costly for HBC than for us to remain in our present premises taking in to account plumbing requirements, fitting of toilets etc. After a meeting of members of the WMS Committee with HBC representatives, a way ahead was provisionally agreed, subject to WMS acceptance. The crux of the situation was a new negotiated lease for the Padnell Park site and the pressing requirement to replace the roof. There was initially a CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding for the roof, however this did not meet the total cost of the contractor and a negotiated arrangement was considered to contribute a sum to the replacement roof under the terms of the new lease. Since the original CIL was approved a second CIL funding was identified to meet the shortfall of costing’s. A copy of the new lease was distributed amongst Committee members to enable us air our views and concerns. Once these had been correlated, a response was formulated and returned to HBC. The response will be an item at the next Committee meeting 2nd August after which an update will be emailed to members. However, as it looks that we now have a more settled future with a long term lease, this will open up options for future grant applications that can be utilised for future site improvements. So the future now is looking more settled. It’s a nice present for our 10thanniversary of founding.

2. While we are on the subject of funding, we are now registered as a Havant Community Good Cause. This is linked to the Havant Borough Lottery. I did email members the details, but just to ensure everyone has an opportunity to take part in the lottery and help support us I thought I would repeat the details. Could I encourage members to have a flutter and hopefully have the winning numbers at some point. The big plus is for every ticket you buy 50 pence goes to WMS as your nominated good cause, which hopefully, you have selected before buying a ticket. Any owner of a winning ticket wins the prize and no prize money goes to the WMS. We gain by being your nominated Good Cause. It will cost £1:00 per ticket per week, but you can purchase as many tickets as you wish to improve your chances of winning. Personally I have set up a direct debit to ensure I don’t have to remember to buy tickets each week. To buy tickets go to Havantlottery.co.uk. Go on, Try your luck everybody and help WMS! At time of going to print we had sold eleven tickets to six members.