Speech by Hugh Brading to NTC Councillors on 22nd October 2025

Mr Mayor Councillors Town Clerk and members of the Public , my name is Hugh Brading .

I am here representing the Friends of Northam Square Hall as their elected  Secretary and to update all of you .

A  Management Committee has been elected and has 9 members, some of who will be Trustees when the Association gains Charity Status.

A Constitution has been adopted.  Petition forms and posters have been distributed throughout the area and more are about to be distributed . Posters on the various social media sites have attracted lots of supporting comments too. 

There is a growing number of people interested in starting various small groups in the hall. I presently have a Conservative estimate that the present interest will provide an annual income of £8500 to go towards the cost of annual maintenance and cleaning services

But until I know the exact size of the rooms I am hampered when discussing the numbers of persons who could use the hall at any one time; also whether two or three groups could hire at the same time

Unofficially I have been refused admission to inspect the inside of the building. Both the Chairman’s and my numerous emails to the CEO of Westward Housing remain unanswered. 

I have been advised by a very experienced local commercial estate agent that the entire building is not worth more than £200,00 in its present dilapidated state.

Since last speaking to this Council I have been sent plans of the two flats when the building was owned by Torridge District Council.  It is interesting to note the first planned development was refused.  I am presently unsure whether English Heritage refused it but am looking into this matter.

May I end by reminding Councillors of some of the old policies and Objectives that this Council adopted years ago and I believe are still in force.  I quote “Northam Town Council has agreed to move forward as a responsible organisation, it needs to acquire, gain control of and provide various land building and facilities within the Town Council area .....”

I quote from the  Appledore Anchor Park business Plan which I was the Author of.