1st Woodcutts Scout HQ Rebuild Newsletter January 2010
As we enter a new decade the opportunities to embed and improve Scouting in the Sixpenny Handley parish continue to grow. It does seem like forever since the Group Committee started down the road to rebuilding the existing HQ. As ever, with major projects significant aspects have to be overcome. It is with this in mind that the HQ Rebuild sub-committee thought it would be useful to update everyone about the rebuild and its progress.
What has been achieved
The group has expanded from around 25 Cubs and Scouts to approaching 75 Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, all within 3 years! It is clearly not an option just to refurbish the existing building, which in fact was second hand when it became the Woodcutts HQ back in the 1960s. We want another 50 years at least, with this in mind the Group has written a business case to look at the options, which is the mandate for the HQ Rebuild sub-committee. The sub-committee members, as with all other adults involved in the group do this work on a voluntary basis and is in addition to existing group roles. So whilst it may seem progress could be quicker, things do take time. Planning took over 6 months to be granted, all outside the sub-committee's control as this was with the district council. Wanting to make inroads, initial tenders were issued to a number of builders last summer which gave a good indication of what the likely costs would be based on the current specifications. Some of these specifications were mandated on us rather than through choice. With this information and the effects of the current recession the sub-committee realised that significant grants would be required, and as most grant bodies ask for the funds to be used in the same year, this would mean chasing a small number of grants that were available and having to complete the build over winter which is not a sensible idea. At the same time a 'volunteer' stepped forward to become the Project Manager, this appointment has brought realism and a strong focus on doing the right thing. So where so we go from here.....
Setting out our stall for 2010
The whole sub-committee are committed to rebuilding the HQ as cost effectively and timely as possible and at the end of last year outlined an expected time line of activities with a more informed tender being prepared and issued in February. Responses are expected to be received back within a month. This will then feed into the grant applications at the start of the new financial year. Having met recently, reviewing the high level risks and taking account of the continued recession it is felt that waiting for the grants to become available in April may not be the right answer. So the following actions are now being taken:
 • Establish the councils view on reducing the external build specifications – would a steel frame with other build materials, rather than brick with flint and wood cladding be acceptable? This is where costs can be dramatically reduced.
 • Tender preparation to continue as planned, but may have different specifications if alternate build materials are acceptable to the Council.
 • Establish a list of key businesses, organisations, individuals and grant bodies to increase support with a view to extending the options on fund raising.
 • Confirm the communications plan for parents, interested parties, potential funder's, builders and press in order to raise the profile and obtain the necessary skills and funding
Setting Expectations
 • The sub-committee has set a target of May to start building
 • Maintaining and improving communications to support this target is a key factor
 • We are well supported now but need to extend this to a wider audience to achieve the aim – "Keep Scouting in the Parish" - as well as providing greater community access to these important facilities.
 • Ask for support in all aspects of this vital project. - If you can help, please contact the group. You can help now by selling the project to everyone. Yes, it's been a slog, but the end is in sight, we just need to recognise what this will mean to the whole community both now and in the future.
Thank you - The 1st Woodcutts HQ Rebuild Sub-Committee