Villagers threaten to go to law over community hall cost

The plans for the hall at Great Coates, near Grimsby, have been twice rejected by most residents, first by a survey, and more recently a parish poll.

In the poll in February, conducted by North East Lincolnshire Council, 377 voted against, with only 87 in favour.

However the parish council claims the poll – which was called for by residents – is not legally binding and was only “advisory”.

They say they are just waiting for permission to borrow the money from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Ray Lawrance, chairman of the Great Coates Residents Association, said the parish council had shown “complete indifference” to villagers’ wishes. Residents will have to pay for the hall –- a replacement for a historic reading room that closed in 2005 – over 49 years at an estimated total cost of £800,000 including interest.

Mr Lawrance, who would see the bill for his band E property soar to £95 from just under £50, said: “We are taking legal advice with a view to taking civil action if they go ahead – and they are adamant they are not going to change their minds.

“A judicial review would be one option, but the advice we are receiving is that we can take action against each individual councillor for failing to take notice of the referendum thereby incurring residents with a massive increase in costs.”

Earlier this month the group presented North East Lincolnshire Council with a 640-name petition calling for the parish council to be dissolved.

Parish clerk Kathy Nunn, who runs a number of parish councils as well as three village halls, said: “There’s a waiting list for regular long term bookings at all three of my village halls and I would hope that it is the same with this one - certainly that is what we are basing our business plan on. One of my halls generates quite a healthy profit and the others certainly cover their running costs.”

Lesley Jacklin, president of the Great Coates Women’s Institute, who backs the plan, said: “All our surrounding villages have village halls, and some have two or three places where people can meet.

“There’s nowhere for people to gather – the parish council meets in a school because there is nowhere for them to go. Village halls do make a profit and they are very well used.”