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Forward Together in Christ

 

 

 

New Canada Hall

January 2007

 

It has been some while since we provided you with a progress report on the new Canada Hall project and we thought the time was now right to update readers both on recent progress and our plans to take the project forward.  

 

 

Planning Approval

 

The reason for the delay is that the planning approval process has taken rather longer than we had hoped because of some minor concerns on the part of the Borough Council over the external appearance of the design. There has been further dialogue leading to slight cosmetic revisions to the plans which will be heard by the Council on 24 January and we are hopeful of a positive outcome (obviously we went to press prior to 24 January). We are particularly indebted to the Mike Wood (Chair of the New Canada Hall Development Group - NCHDG) and to our architect Colin Dixie for the huge amount work they have put in to get us to this position.

 

 

Canada Hall Implementation Group (CHIG)

 

Now that the plans are submitted the work of the NCHDG has come to a natural end the difficult job of making them concrete begins. To see us through this process a new, intentionally small, group called the Canada Hall Implementation Group (CHIG) has been set up.  We are delighted to report that Derek Hammersley (known to many of you as Chairman of the Merstham Residents Association) has agreed to chair this group. Derek brings to the job the benefit of his wide-ranging experience, local knowledge, and the drive and time the project will demand and we are very pleased to welcome him on board.

 

Working with Derek will be a three small sub-groups:-

 

· Business Planning/Fundraising – to be chaired by Ron Jones

· Implementation Strategy – to chaired by Mike Wood

     · Communications – to be chaired by Peter Loosley

 

 

And completing the CHIG team of six are Carolyn Phillips, who will continue to provide the splendid secretarial support she has given to the NCHDG, and of course the group would not be complete without Marian who will continue to provide her own particular brand of drive and unflagging enthusiasm both to the project and to CHIG’s work.

 

 

 

 

Next Steps

 

Once planning has been secured, the next step will be finalising the Business Plan work on which has already started. Once that is complete we can commence in earnest the difficult task of raising the necessary funds. We must look to provide Ron and his team with as much support as possible during this critical phase of the project.

 

 

Future Updates

 

Good lines of communication, at all levels, will be essential to the success of this project. As well as keeping the local media informed of key milestone events, we will also be providing regular further updates in this magazine and a publicity pack and standard slide show presentation will also be produced. And at any time, members of CHIG will be delighted to answer any questions, or take on board any constructive suggestions you may have to help us on our way.

 

This will be quite a lengthy and at times difficult process and CHIG looks forward to approaching this with all of you in a positive, supportive and enjoyable way. Please help us to achieve this ambition.

 

 

CHIG

January 2007