June Update Campaign 2020.
Welcome to the June update. We hope you are all well, and coping with the continuing lockdown. Our team is now back to full strength, many have been volunteering locally in Gt Baddow.
The Hamptons remains largely closed (apart from the newly cleaned outdoor tennis courts) in line with government guidelines.
STAFF REDUNDANCIES
Prior to the Covid-19 restrictions, the owners announced at a staff meeting that all employees would be subject to redundancy consultations. Some staff have been successful in securing their jobs (albeit on reduced hours amd less favourable terms), but a few are still waiting to hear and may lose out.
FINANCES
The Chelmsford Muslim Society are still requesting further donations to their Charity. These are to fund an immediate £280k Islamic loan repayment, and their proposed changes to Hamptons (the commercial business), including the carpeting of prayer rooms and the conversion of spaces to accommodate ritual washing (Wudu) and body preparation (Ghusl).
In a recent letter to members the CMS outlined the future opening hours, which will change to evenings and weekends only. This immediately excludes the corporate and social daytime groups that previously used the centre and generated income. As the older centre users will emerge soon from lockdown, we are concerned that the Hamptons will not be able to staff or open for daytime sessions.
This will seriously affect the long term sustainability of the business. We have always maintained that the CMS will make the business unsustainable to improve their chance of obtaining a Change Of Use permission to make it a place of worship.
Social membership is being offered at the bargain rate of £240 per annum although with no bar, no cafe , no gym and no activities available (when the centre is allowed to open). Despite requests to explain what social members will get for their £20 per month, no real answers have been forthcoming.
The Hamptons Sports and Leisure Ltd website remains unchanged since the sale in 02/20, and still states that the venue offers “full catering and a licenced bar.” The eagerly anticipated online booking system has also failed to materialise.
PLANNING CONSENT
To date, no Change Of Use planning application has been submitted. Our most recent Freedom Of Information request has revealed Chelmsford City Council have continued to request meetings with the CMS regarding the intended use, with a view to assessing if a Change Of Use consent is required. There has been some speculation locally that the centre has been used for worship, although we are unable to find any evidence of this.
An older Freedom Of Information request (regarding the building use class) is at an investigation stage with the Information Commissioner’s Office, following Chelmsford City Council’s refusal to release the information requested, claiming that it is not in the public interest to do so (and hiding behind legal privilege). We have received a response from the ICO and expect a decision within the next few weeks.
PARKING
An application has been submitted to the South Essex Planning Partnership to designate double yellow lines on the narrow access roads. If approved, this will greatly improve highway safety for residents and centre users. We also understand that residents parking bays will be allocated amd regulated.
We have been in dialogue with the planning department for some time requesting information about the conditions relating to the construction of the access roads in the original development. We are now satisfied that the roads were built to an approved plan and signed off. A huge thank you to Robin from the Planning Department for his help.
UNITED REFORM CHURCH
Sadly the United Reform Church has been sold, despite a last minute bid from the Parish Council. We are unsure who the new owners are, and if the centre will be available for community rental. We may now be in a position where Great Baddow has no rentable community space. We will be speaking to the Parish Council and Chelmsford City Council to clarify the situation.
OUR CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
Whilst the lockdown continues, we remain committed to ensuring that this vital community facility is not lost forever. Please stay in touch via our social media platforms or sign up for our monthly newsletter