Parish Hall
The Parish Hall is in regular use by many local groups
for their meetings and for dramatic and music presentations.
See Referendum Result
Community Facilities Referendum
Letter by email, received 17th February 2006
The Town Council has now met with representatives from the Sedgefield Development Trust, Residents Forum, Community Association and Community College to discuss how we can work together to provide a community hall.
We discussed the possible options which include:-
i) to use Local Improvement Programme monies from the Borough Council to substantially improve the current building
ii) to look to provide (subject to funding) a complete rebuild on the existing site which would be guaranteed to allow all functions and solve the noise/vibration transference issues
iii) resubmission of the plans for Ceddesfeld Hall
iv) all of, or combination of the above
However before any decision is taken we all agreed that all options and costs will be included in a formal referendum - hopefully in May / June and the Town Council will seek funding for this.
With regard to the planning application for Ceddesfeld Hall. This was withdrawn in January on the advice of the consultants. However it should be pointed out that it was a Borough Council Officer who actually suggested the development in the first instance and both the Borough Council Planning Officers and English Heritage indicated to the consultants on more than one occasion that an extension would in principle be acceptable. Had this not been the case the Town Council would not have continued with the scheme.
Issues then arose on the scale of the extension which would be necessary to accommodate all needs. However the total costs to date for studies on both the parish hall and Ceddesfeld currently stands at £40,000 minus grants of £10,000 over a time period of 6 years.
We are arranging a series of further meetings of the above groups and will continue to keep everyone informed. I'm sure we all hope that we can then move forwards with a community building and facilities which we all want to see and supported by all.
Lesley Swinbank
Town Clerk
January 2006 - The Town Council has withdrawn its planning application regarding the extension to Ceddesfeld Hall and therefore this application will not be heard on 6th January as originally scheduled. They intend to re-submit the plans later in the year.
This application was associated with the Town Council's proposal to close the Parish Hall.
Please see comments on community premises from Lynne Ackland here.
Sedgefield Community College
Sedgefield speaks out about the possible loss of the Parish Hall
A very positive message came out of the well attended meeting on November 7th about the future of the Parish Hall and there was real opposition to the Town Council's proposal to considerably extend Ceddesfeld Hall. Almost 100 people heard Norma Neal, Chairman of Sedgefield Players, open the meeting with a short résumé of the history of the Parish Hall's problems, caused by noise nuisance to the neighbours, and the Town Council's refusal to debate the matter with the public.
Points were raised by a wide cross-section of people from the village, including local businessmen and voluntary organisations. Audrey Flanagan of the WI said that the proposed extension to Ceddesfeld Hall is too small for their use and parking is totally inadequate. Walter Howell of Sedgefield Players stated that groups such as the Players, the Lyric Singers and their youth sections, need a performance venue the size of the Parish Hall. Derek Lofthouse agreed that the proposed Ceddesfeld Hall extension is unsuitable for such a large group as the Lyrics. Sandy Clubley pointed to the opportunities the Parish Hall has given to children over the years, many of whom return to the village with their own children who deserve similar opportunities. Along with many others, she felt it important to support both venues, because the needs of our growing population cannot be satisfied by one venue.
Villagers were adamant that the Town Council does not have the right to sell the Parish Hall and must be made aware that we want to keep this very important part of our heritage in the centre of the village. A survey done some time ago said that the noise problem which caused the present situation could be much improved and it was also stated that a rebuild could be totally soundproof. Other problems resulting from the Disability Act could be solved at both Ceddesfeld and the Parish Hall by incorporating lifts into both buildings. Funding is available, though not necessarily to the Town Council.
John Fitzpatrick of the Friends of Hardwick Park suggested that the Town Council should take a wider view, look at private sources of funding or consider handing over the redevelopment to a trust. John Parkinson of Mordon Village recommended that Sedgefield should not accept a compromise, but go for what we want. It can be done - Mordon has a beautiful new village hall to prove it!
There was a good deal of concern about the attitude of Sedgefield Town Council and its refusal to speak to an open meeting, having been offered two opportunities during the last month. It was felt that there has been an economy of the truth from Sedgefield Town Council over recent years and that there is a conflict of interest between some Town Councillors and SCA management at Ceddesfeld Hall. As SCA is a charity, run on a voluntary basis, the future running of an extended building could be problematical. Furthermore the Town Council seems to have given up on its responsibility to maintain the Parish Hall.
The planning meeting to consider the proposed extension to Ceddesfeld Hall will take place on Friday December 9th at 10 am. Four objectors have agreed to speak on four different areas of concern, but others indicated their intention to go along in support. It was also agreed that notes taken at this meeting and details of the almost 1000 signature petition, should be sent to the Town Council with a covering letter requesting a reply and action. Proposed extensions and alterations to Ceddesfeld Hall and neighbouring properties have been refused permission in the past and Sedgefield Borough Council has previously said that an extension to Ceddesfeld Hall would not be allowed unless there was no other option. Objections to the proposed extension include noise, parking problems, loss of trees and the character of the Grade 2 listed building.
However, the wider concern of the meeting was that the function of a 'Community' Hall could not be fulfilled on the Ceddesfeld site. People wish to leave the Town Council in no doubt as to the strength of feeling generated by their attitude towards OUR Parish Hall.
