Where is the FOR SALE SIGN

Well after all that hullabaloo about having a meeting to obtain the views of the residents, what's happened since.  Nothing.  The meeting was way back in September, I think, so plenty of time to get the old estate agent in to view the premises and price the old girl out.  The chairman appeared to have his hand on the tiller to steer this decision in the right direction so what has happened since?

What really worries me is the fact that the Parish Council are thinking of buying the VI., presumably thinking it might be cheaper than  the old library and as a replacement for the Misterton Centre.   Well I can see a conflict of interest there, especially since the trustees of the VI have to get the best possible price.  Are they hoping nobody will bite.  But what then, how can they make an offer when there is this conflict of interest.  I would think they will have to buy at the offered price or else there would be potential for legal action on the trustees.  Then what, they still have to do it up and at what cost.  Do it on the cheap;  how long would that take and nobody does owt for nowt nowadays, they can't afford to.  Borrow it?  Well what about this scenario.

If the PC borrows say £300k over 40 years, initial interest charges at say 5% will be £15k per annum, with annual repayment instalments of £7,500.  Then there's annual maintenance/heating/lighting/cleaning/insurance, etc. costs of say £5k per annum. Then on top of all that there are salaries for a clerk, gate keeper and a groundsman.  Might get it cheaper, might not.

So, if the PC goes it alone, you're looking at something approaching £30k per annum, plus triple business rates.  Then there's no parking and I doubt the Co-op would be particularly accommodating.   I can see that financial pot that has kept them afloat for these little projects they've had in recent times diminishing rapidly.

Where they are now they have two other partners, Bassetlaw and the Police to share the rent and all associated costs.  They might come on an ad hoc basis to the VI but I doubt they would want to make this permanent, apart from the fact that the VI is no Tardis.  So you could say goodbye to shared costs and probably a policeman in the village on a regular basis. 

Is this really worth it or are they thinking of hanging a financial noose round our necks that will cost us dearly in future.

Hope it doesn't come to something like this.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2513218/Parish-council-quits-en-masse-villager-performed-Nazi-salutes-revolt-Christmas-lights-grass-cutting.html

They are still dithering on the restoration of the War Memorial.  At this rate come 28th July 2014 they will still be holding Working Group Meetings instead of getting  the job done. I would imagine that this is a skilled job and when you think about it, how many other villages will be looking to do the same or similar job