Alderley Edge Institute Trust has refused a grant application to provide some new benches for the village.
The Parish Council submitted an application to the charity for £2000 to purchase four new benches, one of which would be located at the War Memorial.
The Institute Trust declined the application because not enough information was provided, the Parish Council's accounts show a healthy bank balance so why do they need a charitable donation and the Trustees were 'not persuaded' by the argument given.
The Alderley Edge Institute Trust was established in 2003 when the Village Institute on London Road was sold for £600,000 - it has since been replaced with flats and the library. Together with the balance held by former Trustees, the trust fund was formed to benefit good causes in the area. Cllr Duncan Herald believes the Trust currently has in the region of £900,000 in the bank.*
I requested a list of the grants awarded by the Trust in the last 5 years from Ashley Comiskey-Dawson, Trust Secretary, but was told "We cannot give out a list of grants as applicants are covered by the data protection act, and the Trust would not wish to pass out personal details."
Information we have received in the past shows that from 2003 to 2011 the Trust awarded grants to the value of over £200,000 to local charities and organisations with charitable purposes.
Local schools and churches have received funding from the Trust for building works, repairs and new equipment. Alderley and District Scout Council received a grant towards the repairs and refurbishment of the Scout Hall (£50,191) and Over Alderley Reading Room received a contribution to building repairs and refurbishment (£50,000).
£1250 was also granted to Alderley Edge Parish Plan Group, who produced the Parish Plan in 2010, Alderley History Group received £1,500 for video and PA equipment, £20,000 was awarded for the redevelopment of the Beech Road Play Area and the David Lewis Centre received £16,275 for their sensory play area and an outdoor classroom.
In addition, having completed a degree course, an unnamed local student received a grant of £2,000 towards the cost of further study at university in the subject of embryology.
Cllr Duncan Herald disagrees with the decision. He told alderleyedge.com "We submitted the application because Cheshire East Council have given up mending/replacing benches and, although the Parish Council have replaced Nurse Hatton's bench and one other, it's not really up to the Parish Council so we asked the Institute Trust... who are a charity, to take on the task."
* I have requested confirmation of how much money the Institute Trust currently has in the fund and will update the article, if the amount is different, when I receive a response.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Just had a google and you can buy four Eco park benches for £1000. All recycled materials with reinforced steel used so ultra long lasting with no maintance needed. Get googling Parish Council people and grab yourself a better deal.
So I will look again at prices and I will ask people if they'd accept other than wood.
The bench on Chorley Hall Lane had been in position for over 50 years & so we hope the new one will last near that.
We have looked at its of designs and styles and they have to for certain criteria, plus sit well in the surrounding area.
1. any bench in the village should be traditional wood; a minority said that the 'curly' metal benches, as in the park, would be acceptable.
2. no coloured benches... i.e. not yellow/red/etc.
3. benches should be 3-seaters and have arms.
4. any bench in the war memorial must be traditional wood...a minority said no bench at the war
memorial, as its not a remembrance garden.
5. benches should be sturdy i.e. not easily liable to damage.
After browsing web sites, to buy a bench that satisfies all the above, together with any cost of fixing, is in the region of £300 - £400. So perhaps the original though of £2K wasn't so far out?
Duncan
1. to replace the broken 'Nurse Hatton Bench' (outside the bank, on the village main street) cost £250 to buy + 2 man hours (person hours?) to assemble + staining it + 2 hours to fit it (drilling holes in the pavement etc.).
2. the replacement bench for C.H.Lane cost £355 (already assembled and stained) but it will take time to fit (don't know how long, until its started).
There y'go... you can't say the Parish Council doesn't give you the full info. eh?
Have a good Friday evening!
Actually its getting difficult to get opinions... when I arrive at the Park, people flee away crying 'we have no opinion' and 'leave us in peace'... is this how all the great dictators came to power? Rock on Tommy!
Ugly and cheap though....... hardly. It's a bench to park your bum on. :)
And the bench in the picture looks comfy and inviting no doubt. ;)
P.S. Why do dogwalkers need 3 seater benches with ARMS?...Was one of the questions on your clip board 'would you like it heated'?...
And 'just to clarify' ! I doubt Anyone thought the cost would be £2,000.00 Each! Melanie...
Most dog-walkers have poo-bags... unlike some of the mums of young children 'caught short' in the park; yuck!
Hi Sarah... you are right... that's the problem with democracy... if only you and I could rule eh?
Oh yes, the new bench for Chorley Hall Lane should be in place late this week or during next week.