Potton Hall for All
Potton Hall for All Update
Leaflet available from 11th February 2022.
The results of the consultation held between 19th September and 23rd October on whether Potton Town Council should take a loan to help fund Potton Hall for All have been counted and verified. The residents were asked two questions and the majority response to both questions was ‘Yes’. This gives Potton Town Council the go ahead to apply to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to gain borrowing approval for a £500,000 loan from the Public Works Loan Board towards the cost of building the hall. Thank you to everyone who took part, whether online or on paper.
Potton Town Council met on the 3rd November 2020, at the meeting the town council agreed to apply for Borrowing Approval from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for a £500,000 loan towards the cost of Potton Hall for All project. In advance of making the decision, the town council were advised by Central Bedfordshire Council on Friday 30th October 2020 that Potton Town Council’s tax base for 2021-22 will be 2217. The increase to the tax base means that the precept increase will remain the same, but the increase to a band D household is now lower than was specified in the Community Consultation which took place between 19th September and 23rd October 2020.
The resolution from 3rd November 2020 town council meeting:
It was resolved to seek the approval of the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to apply for a Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) loan of £500,000 over the borrowing term of 15 years for the part funding of Potton Hall for All project. The council tax precept has been increased by £52,271.00 (17.8%) for the purpose of the loan repayments and increases in the costs of the other services with effect from 2021/22: this is the equivalent of £17.26 per band D household (12.4%) (of which £12.88 (9.3%) for loan repayments and £4.38 (3.1%) for other services). The town council consulted on pursuing a PWLB loan and the associated precept increase prior to making the decision to apply for a PWLB loan.
The Potton Hall for All Community Consultation took place between 19th September and 23rd October 2020.
Potton Hall for All is the name for the new purpose built community facility that is planned for development in Potton. The planning for this exciting new space is run by a registered charity (also called Potton Hall For All) – and we share more about the project and the features and benefits of the space here. The Potton Hall For All building really will be a Hall for All; with versatility suiting a range of uses for every function, group and task – unlike no other in the town.
Potton Hall for All has entered a new phase this autumn!
A new community engagement campaign in partnership with Potton Town Council took place in Potton from 19th September to 23rd October 2020. Residents were able to confirm whether they were in agreement for the final funding proposal and help make Potton Hall for all a reality by filling in a short consultation response form.
Want to know more about the campaign?
Latest Newsletter – view Potton Town Council’s special edition newsletter – 24 pages of Potton Hall for All insight was distributed to every household in the town.
Event Calendar – view our latest news page to see details of upcoming consultation events where you can meet the project team, find out more and ask questions.
FAQs – see what people are asking about the Hall.
Facebook – follow, share and view the conversations on the campaign on our dedicated Facebook page.
We gave you three opportunities to find out more about the campaign and have your say.
1. Saturday 10th October 10am to 12pm – Potton Town councillors are holding a drop in surgery at the Coach House (inside if wet). You can talk to them about any local issues, but they will be happy to explain Potton Town Council’s position on the hall and the consultation.
2. Saturday 10th October 2pm to 4pm – members of Potton Town Council and Potton Hall for All group invite you to come to see the site where the hall will be built. Tours will start from the Hutchinson Hollow, beside the Boundary Cafe. We will have our stall with more information and members of the team ready to talk to you. COVID measures will be in place, so you will need a mask and be prepared to leave your details for Track and Trace. The Boundary Cafe will be open.
3. Monday 19th October 7 to 9pm Online Public Meeting
Public Meeting Minutes 19th October 2020
A big thank you to all the residents and Potton Town Council who joined us at the Potton Town Council Councillor Surgery, the Potton Hall for All site visit on Saturday 10th October and the Online Public Meeting. It was great to be able to listen to residents’ thoughts, answer questions and show visitors around the proposed site.
If you would like to contact the Potton Hall for All charity Trustees to discuss our plans, or to offer to join the team, please do so via email at hall4allpotton@gmail.com.
If you would like to contact the Potton Hall For All charity Trustees to discuss the Potton Hall for All engagement project further please do so via email at hall4allpotton@gmail.com.
Latest Newsletters
September 2020 Newsletter – Dedicated editorial feature introducing the new Hall campaign to Potton residents – view here.
October 2020 Newsletter – Potton residents are being given a new update on Potton Hall For All in a dedicated Potton Town Council newsletter edition in October, featuring 24 pages dedicated to the project. The detailed newsletter explains how the hall will be used by the many different groups which support the project, the funding approach and how the community consultation works. The newsletter will to be delivered to every household during the weekend of 10th and 11th October – view here.
Latest Press Coverage
Biggleswade Chronicle, September 29th:
https://www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk/news/people/help-make-potton-hall-all-reality-supporting-campaign-2987315?fbclid=IwAR1ffA-R_OIB3mW8GJ9UTTQB2iGRdkPIb_1jewOZSKmRqLRbKw7SmIssdOw
Potton Villager, October 2020 issue:
https://issuu.com/villagemag/docs/potton_oct_20?fbclid=IwAR0JpW-bvCYQdwEUChncOhZrprEPnK6BxKAO6DTCS2VVwCuxVGC74vRga1U
Councillor Adam Zerny, published post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ada§mzerny/posts/3326436040807184
The Biggleswade Chronicle, 9th October:
https://www.facebook.com/PottonHallForAll/photos/a.180756462058237/2060824127384785