LIPHOOKÕS troubled Millennium Hall could be left with no one to run it this time next month, after the trustees announced they were unable to continue.

The shock announcement that they would pull out of running the hall, as of March 31, came in a letter from the trustees on Friday.

ÒIt is with great sadness that the trustees of Liphook Millennium Hall have unanimously decided that, under the present circumstances, they are unable to continue running the hall beyond the end of the current financial year,Ó said chairman of the trustees David Wynn.

Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council made the controversial decision to take over the running of the building in May last year. However, nine months later it still hasnÕt done so, because a series of minor building works has delayed the transfer of the hallÕs ownership from SainsburyÕs.

ÒSince that time, and in the absence of a more definitive time scale, the trusteesÕ ability to run the hall efficiently has become increasingly difficult,Ó Mr Wynn added.

All contracts currently entered into by Liphook Millennium Hall Ltd will be cancelled Ð with effect from April 1 Ð unless the parish council renews them by March 11.

But on Monday, Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council staff declined to confirm that it had received a letter from the trustees. The following day a spokesman said that the letter had not arrived at the parish councilÕs office, but believed it had been sent by the trustees to parish and district councillors.

Also on Monday The Herald was told by a spokesman for the parish council that the running of the building was not the responsibility of the council until it had formerly taken over the running of the Millennium Hall. When that happens the hall is expected to be renamed as Liphook Millennium Centre

The spokesman would not be drawn on whether the council would have the staff to run the hall after the trusteeÕs deadline passes. In January, the council placed adverts for several posts Ð two foyer assistants, a facilities supervisor and a cleaner.

Deadlines for applications was February 14, but the spokesman declined to say whether the posts had been filled, or explain where the money would come from to pay them.

Parish clerk Tony Groves said later, that all such issues were Òsubject to legal adviceÓ.

Michael Lawther, head of legal services for EHDC, told The Herald that following a recent visit from building control department the transfer of ownership from SainsburyÕs to the parish council should take place on April 1.

At a parish council meeting on Monday, the council approved the first three of

six non-councillor members

of the newly formed

Liphook Millennium Centre Management Committee.

Simon Coyte, Michael Gardner and Mr P McIntyre were accepted, but Mrs E Kamm, who had hoped to represent the Scouts and Guides, was refused because she was also trustee. Councillors also agreed to seek planning permission from EHDC to run Meals on Wheels from hall.