Progress Report of the Bawsdey Quay Visitor Centre
Working Group 2016
The Business Case: The Working Group’s Business Case was first approved by the Parish Council before it was presented to SCDC who also approved it. The result was that SCDC agreed to release funds to pay for the installation of the new water main and a new sewage system. SCDC decided that it would not release further funds to contribute towards the building of the Visitor Centre until the Parish Council had successfully concluded its fund raising.
Licence to undertake work: A licence has been issued by SCDC allowing the Parish Council to undertake the necessary work for the installation of water and sewage on the site. This has been agreed by both parties and signed.
The supply of water: The Parish Council agreed to appoint Claret as the approved contractor. Claret has been informed of the appointment and members of the Council will meet with representatives of the firm on Wednesday 3rd August to discuss the work to be done and the contract in greater detail. Enquiries are being made of J P Chick as to whether they are in a position to supervise the installation on behalf of the Parish Council and the cost of such supervision.
The installation of a suitable sewage system: The Parish Council has commissioned an independent report to be prepared by J P Chick advising on the most suitable type of sewage system, having regard to the difficulties presented by the site. This report will include a topographical survey as well as CCTV investigation of the existing pipe work. As a result of this report the Parish Council will have all the necessary information upon which to create a clear specification upon which to go out to tender.
The Visitor Centre: No further work has been done on organizing the build given the need to complete all of the fundraising.
Funding issues: the project has secured
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- a grant of £10,000 from SCDC
- a grant of £25,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund
- a payment from SCDC of the remaining money left from the £180,000 after the installation of water and sewage. This figure will not be known until these installations have been completed but is estimated to be between £75,000 and £90,000.
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Peter Vaden has completed and submitted the Stage 1 application for the LEADER fund. If successful there will be a round 2 application to be completed. However, because this is partly funded by European money, decisions on the outcome of this application have been postponed for the time being in the light of the referendum vote to leave Europe. We hope to hear the outcome of the application within the next month.
Bird Boxes: All the bird and bat boxes have been installed on the site with the exception of the two owl boxes. Rawdon has very kindly volunteered to get together a small team to install these. If there are any volunteers please would they let Rawdon know.
Woodland Trust Trees: A team of volunteers is required for a winter task namely lifting the trees from behind the parish hall, identifying suitable planting locations and replanting. This needs to be done in consultation with Peter Ross. I need somebody to co ordinate and supervise this project.
Summary: This remains an exciting project and overall it continues to make progress albeit the rate of progress is frustratingly slow. It is hoped that the water and sewage will be completed by no later than the end of the year. This will be a major achievement by the village. Concurrently funding applications continue to be made to bridge the funding gap. This is an inspirational community project and it is to be hoped that more members of the community will become more practically involved.
Peter Wain
15th July 2016