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

At the June meeting this councillors were again criticised by a villager during parishioners' 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.

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

Earlier this month, the council were 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 didn't actually own it.

"Sainsbury's, allegedly, three years ago gave this magnificent building to the parish," he said. "Now you know tell me they haven't done that at all."

"You were warned that you were heading for this mess and decided to do nothing whatsoever about it," Mr Chandler continued. "I don't feel confident in a body that has allowed this drift to happen."

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

Alan Jordan replied that it receives completion certificates, which won't be issued until faults in the building that need to be fixed are addressed.

"We won't accept the building until then," he said.

"Meanwhile three different organisations have presumably been occupying it free?" he asked. "That is a disgrace to the parishioners of this parish."

Mr Jordan explained that Sainsbury's granted permission of 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.

"On what grounds to you receive the money if you don't own the building?" he asked. "You can't give a licence for a building you don't own."

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

Mr Jordan suggested Mr Chandler should submit his questions in writing to the parish council. Mr Chandler said that he had been trying that, and it hadn't worked.

Peter Dare told him to "try again then".

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

At the meeting Mr Tough 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.

Anna James asked if the new groups would be parish council sub committees, as that would require the attendance of an officer to take minutes.

"Four sub committees as part of the parish council would seem to be a bit weighted," she said.

"We want to try to keep this as simple as possible," Mr Jordan added.

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 transfer should be as transparent as possible," Mr Tough said. "It is important that we now involve as many trustees as possible at this stage."

Mr Tough suggested a "round table" meeting in July for as many councillors and trustees to attend as possible.

"We wouldn't want it to get acrimonious so we need someone to chair it and remain neutral," said Michael Croucher

The meeting will take place on July 11.