Thank you for standing with us by signing our petition in early 2024. Your backing helped bring Effingham Village Recreation Trust (EVRT) and 1st Effingham Scouts (1ES) back to the negotiating table. Sadly, despite this strong show of community support, we have not been able to reach an agreement that fairly reflects the decades of investment by 1ES or offers the long-term security we need to continue operating from our Scout HQ on KGV playing fields.
In September 2024, following an ultimatum from EVRT to accept their proposed bare licence agreement, 1ES was forced to engage legal representation to avoid potential eviction. This ongoing legal dispute, between two charities meant to serve our community, is costing tens of thousands of pounds on both sides. It simply does not make sense.
We ask for your help once again.
We kindly ask that you direct your questions and responses to EVRT, while also including Effingham Parish Council (EPC) in all correspondence. Despite sharing leadership, where the Chair of EPC also serves as Vice Chair of EVRT, and the Vice Chair of EPC holds the Chair role at EVRT, EPC has consistently distanced itself from responsibility. This dual representation raises concerns, as these same individuals regularly claim no awareness or involvement of the issue when speaking on behalf of EPC.
Please write expressing your views and questions directly to:
- Paula.moss@evrt.org.uk – Chair of EVRT and Vice Chair of Effingham Parish Council
- liz.hogger@effinghampc.uk – Chair of EPC and Vice Chair of EVRT
- Kindly copy in info@effinghamscouts.org.uk for visibility
Key Questions We Urge You to Raise:
- Why are you ignoring the history of the Scout HQ at King George V playing fields ?
- Why are you ignoring the costs 1ES have spent on the building over the last 30 years in terms of the build, management, maintenance and improvements?
- Why is there a clause in seven years that allows you to evict 1ES if it’s “no longer in the best interests of EVRT”?
- Why are you ignoring the agreement in 1978 between your predecessor and the management committee of the Scouts to have “de facto unrestricted use of the building”?
- Why do you deny the significant major contribution by the Scouts to build the building in 1994?
- Why in your latest offer, are you not allowing the Scouts the time they need in the building - why do you think they only operate in the time they are running a section?
- Why are you and the Scouts having to each spend tens of thousands of pounds to challenge an arrangement that has been collaborative and peaceful for 50 years?
- Are funds from resident’s council tax (collected via the Effingham precept by Surrey County Council) being used for EVRT legal fees? The Effingham Parish Council provides funding to EVRT to pay for the cost of providing the KGV facilities, the rest of the funding is paid by the various user groups including sports clubs, the pre-school, and other community clubs and activities.
- Why did you EPC write to the 1ES 18 months ago and tell them that vehicular access to the Scout HQ would be fully restricted until a licence was signed by 1ES?
- Why are you undermining the invaluable community work Barnes Wallis accomplished in Effingham to support local families and children? As the president of 1E Scouts, he held this cause in the highest regard, considering it a vital part of his legacy.
with thanks,
1st Effingham Scout Group