LIPHOOK Parish Council continues to receive a rough ride for its decision to assume control of the villageÕs controversial Millennium Hall.

At the June meeting this week councillors were again criticised by a villager during parishionersÕ question time.

Bernard Chandler said that he had no confidence in a body that could allow such a mess to develop, and accused councillors of ignoring prior warnings.

ÒI am completely bemused at what has been going on for the last three years,Ó he said. Chairman Alan Jordan agreed. ÒSo are we!Ó

Earlier this month, the council was attacked by trustees for, taking over the running of the hall

Mr Chandler was concerned that the council had been trying to negotiate the lease with the occupants of the hall when they didnÕt actually own it.

ÒSainsburyÕs, allegedly, three years ago gave this magnificent building to the parish,Ó he said. ÒNow you tell me they havenÕt done that at all.Ó

ÒYou were warned that you were heading for this mess and decided to do nothing whatsoever about it,Ó Mr Chandler continued. ÒI donÕt feel confident in a body that has allowed this drift to happen.Ó

The council was asked how it intended to take possession of the hall.

Alan Jordan replied that it receives completion certificates, which wonÕt be issued until faults in the building that need to be fixed are addressed.

ÒWe wonÕt accept the building until then,Ó he said.

Mr Jordan explained that SainsburyÕs granted permission for three groups to use the building, the police, the Scouts and Guides, and the Millennium Hall trustees.

He also confirmed that only part of the police payment had been received for its 25-year lease.

ÒOn what grounds do you receive the money if you donÕt own the building?Ó he asked. ÒYou canÕt give a licence for a building you donÕt own.Ó

Exasperated at what he felt was a lack of suitable answers, Mr Chandler withdrew his questions: ÒI give up,Ó he said.

Prior to Mr ChandlerÕs comments, new chairman of the Millennium Hall management committee John Tough reported on a recent meeting of the trustees.

At the meeting Mr Tough had suggested that four sub-committees be formed, to deal with publicity and marketing, technical, arts and entertainments and facilities.

A hall manager and a Millennium Hall forum were also proposed, the latter to collect the ideas of people other than the committee members. Mr Tough asked fellow councillors if they were supportive of his suggestions.

Tony Rudguard believed that a vote should be deferred until a later meeting, when the council had more information.

Councillors agreed to delay a decision and Mr Tough proposed a meeting with trustees to discuss the matter further.

The meeting will take place on July 11.