Community Hub Group Feedback to the HOTV Management Committee. Downloadable version available HERE
On 20th November 2023, Marilyn Clarke attended the HOTV Management Committee meeting. These are her notes.
Our draft notes had been widely circulated and therefore members of the committee were aware of issues raised. I felt it appropriate to focus on 3 issues raised at our meeting, and which really needed to be considered by the MC as a pre-requisite to facilitate the discussion of all the issues raised at our initial meeting.
The Vision/Road Map
The MC had this on their agenda. They had looked at templates from various sources of how best to achieve this.
It was acknowledged that this is needed to build up a clear and simple vision around which everyone could unite and feel invested in. It was also agreed that this must be more than the fiscal aims, but encompass what this Heart of the Village will mean to the community at large. If people are to invest time or money (shares or shopping) they need to know to what they are contributing. There will be issues to be decided to fill out the vision, but it was reassuring to know that this important aspect is being implemented.
Communications
The MC were aware that this needed an overhaul. Simply to keep pushing information at people is no guarantee it will be read or stimulate interest. A plan/ideas needed to be formulated to try and stimulate the interest in the community. The web sites will be reviewed. Not to be afraid of confronting the idea that the enterprise is still at risk should any one component fail. Reflecting back to the start of the process when the village was faced with losing both the pub and shop, it was noted how enthusiastically the village then rallied to the cause. How can this spirit be revived?
Phase 3
There is now to be the open day on Saturday 16 December where the village are invited to come and look at plans, and at which members of the Management Committee will be on hand to explain the plans. There several aspects relating to Phase 3 that villagers may wish to discuss. The rationale for the work, the financial implications of expansion, the impact on staff/volunteers. A follow up meeting open to all may be appropriate to give opportunity for questions and answers, once people have had time to reflect on information gathered at the open day. Please do come along to the the Open Day, and spread the word around the village. It will be an important opportunity to engage with as many people as possible
I volunteered to attend the day with a view to talking to as many people as possible about the opportunities there may be for them to contribute to the enterprise.
Future opportunity for two way feedback between our Community Hub group and the Management Committee.
Tom Duxbury (A member of the Management Committee) kindly agreed to attend our next Community Hub meeting. A meeting will be planned for early January. I will arrange a date and be in touch.
Marilyn Clarke