Grosmont Futures and the Grosmont Community Hub Project Update November 2021

Grosmont Futures (GF) have been working very hard reviewing the data obtained from the Community Engagement activities/Questionnaire and have used this to prepare plans for developing the Town Hall into a Community Hub that will provide a place that is not only welcoming but offers a wide range of activities/resources that we hope will appeal to and engage all age ranges, abilities and interests of the residents of Grosmont and the surrounding community.  GF has already obtained funding for an Audio/Visual system and are ready to apply for an initial Capital Development Grant through Rural Futures (10% of the £140,000 Lottery Grant) which will allow us to firm up the next steps by employing an Architect to draw up detailed plans and apply for planning permission. 

Unfortunately it has been identified that the Town Hall is in need of urgent repair works that will need to be completed alongside the Community Hub project.  This is the responsibility of Grosmont Fawr Community Council (GFCC) as owners of the building and GF have offered to assist them to access funding for these repairs although we are not allowed to use the Rural Futures funding for this.

GF and GFCC had a productive meeting on 15 October about the hall to discuss how they need to work together and what needs to be done to ensure funding applications for both the repairs and the hub project are successful. As the owner of the hall, the funder requires GFCC to be the lead applicant for the community hub funding and requires an agreement to be drawn up to explain how GFCC and GF will work together to deliver the project. The hub project cannot proceed without this nor without funding for the repairs. Similarly, GFCC will need to demonstrate how the project is more than just repair work in order to access grants from most funders and this is where the community hub project can help. Consequently, the funding for repairs and the community hub project are interdependent.

GFCC and GF discussed these matters at the meeting on 8 November including the crucial and specific role they each need to play in order to deliver the Community Hub project together. The meeting has resulted in a very welcome show of support and real commitment by GFCC, as evidenced by an agreement to set up a joint steering group. This group will be the forum in which issues of mutual importance are discussed and resolved: it will feedback to the GFCC and GF at regular intervals and demonstrates the renewed commitment of the community council in collaborating with Grosmont Futures to ensure the town hall receives the investment it deserves. There is much to do but, working together, the Grosmont Community Hub will happen.

Please share your views and suggestions on the plan via GF email Grosmont.futures@outlook.com The information display in the undercroft under the Town Hall is regularly updated and other information is available on the Grosmont.wales website/Village Groups/Grosmont Futures and on the Padlet (address on GF Website). Individuals are also very welcome to join meetings and/or support the project.