KEYS to Minmi Progress Hall were handed back to Newcastle City Council this week after Minmi Progress Association declared it could not keep up with the council's growing demands.
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The association has been the hall's caretaker for more than 50 years but is "too frustrated" with the council to continue in the volunteer role.
The council implemented a series of changes to the hall's booking system this year in an effort to bring hall hire fees across Newcastle in line.
Halls across Newcastle were reviewed by the council to reduce costs and streamline services, with the council's latest projected deficit for the next 12 months standing at $29.9 million.
As of Monday, July 1, the council is charging users $10 an hour to use Minmi hall, as well as a $200 security bond fee and a $110 key deposit charge.
Other council-owned halls will cost between $6 an $35 an hour, depending on the hall's size and facilities.
Last week The Star reported that the Minmi Crochet/Craft Group, which uses Minmi hall on Thursdays to make clothes for the homeless, is on the hunt for a new venue as it could not afford to stay.
Minmi Progress Association has decided to no longer use the hall and will chair its meetings at Minmi Public School.
Minmi Progress Association secretary Clarice Hamling said the council's new system was beyond the small group's capabilities and refused to sign the council's service agreement.
"We are deeply upset in having to walk way from our hall . . . it has been a major part of our lives for a long time," she said.
Ms Hamling said she did not think it was fair to charge small community or charity groups, such as Minmi Crochet/Craft Group, the amounts set out by the council.
Other regular users of the hall include a yoga group, a dance group, an antique bottle collector group, car and motorcycle clubs and Minmi Public School.
A Newcastle council spokesperson said the council's Community Development Team will manage the bookings from this week and asked Minmi Progress Association to inform the hall's hirers of the changes.
Council answers The Star's questions.
Who will look after the booking system for Minmi hall from July 1?
The Community Development Team will manage bookings from July 2013.
Have all the users of Minmi hall been informed of the fee changes?
The Minmi Progress Hall advised council of their proposed fees and charges and they were published in the recently exhibited and subsequently adopted 2013/2014 Fees and Charges. The Minmi Progress Association fees and charges have shown no increase from previous years. Council staff have written to the Minmi Progress Association and asked the association to inform the hirers of Minmi Hall of the changes.
Will all of the users keep using the hall?
Council staff will work with all the hirers to assist them in maintaining their current arrangement.
How can the users maintain their 'current arrangement' if the fee is significantly less than council's fees and charges as per the website?
Council is obliged to charge fees consistent with its adopted schedule of fees and charges as outlined in the information on council's website.
How much money has the hall made in the past financial year?
Council will complete an audit of Minmi Hall for the past financial year. This information is currently held by the managers of the hall, Minmi Progress Association.
How much does it cost the council to maintain the hall?
Maintenance is currently managed by the Minmi Progress Association through the fees paid on the hall.
How much does it cost the council to run Minmi hall?
As previously mentioned, the hall is currently run by the Minmi Progress Association who will have records on the income and expenditure of the hall.
Has the hall cost the council nothing, up until now?
The Minmi Progress Hall is a council-owned community facility that is operated under delegated authority by the Minmi Progress Association Incorporated. Minmi Progress Association manages the maintenance of the hall through fees paid to use the hall and will have records of expenditure.
Is the hire fee for community groups to use Minmi hall the same for all halls across the Newcastle area - ie $10 per hour, with a $200 security bond and a $110 key deposit?
No, the hire fees vary between $6 and $35 per hour dependent on size and facilities offered. Information relating to hire fees is available on council's website.
What does the council envisage the future of the hall to be?
There is no anticipated change of use for Minmi Hall.