20th May 2010

We received a letter from Arnie Glasspoole, the Diocesan Property Manager

The revised plans and construction estimates which were passed on to the Plans Sub-committee by Bishop Rubin were considered at the meeting on 19 May 2010.

The plans themselves were recognised as what could be termed Stage 1 of the previously submitted total scheme and, of course, no comment or suggested amendment was made. The construction estimates were not accompanied by any written explanation and the sub-committee therefore had to work on the basis of Mr. Keith Alcock’s description of the discussions that took place during the meeting with your committee to discuss a way forward which seemed to agree on undertaking the project on an “owner builder” basis.

With the knowledge of the sad past history of “owner builder” projects in the Diocese, members of the sub-committee were extremely cautious with regard to the figures quoted in terms of:

1. The ability to maintain the prices.
2. Who would provide dedicated project management?
3. A guarantee that this phase can be completed?

However the project will be carried forward to the Property Committee on 09 June 2010 to consider and take a decision on whether to recommend the project to the Diocesan Trustees.

However you are kindly requested, in the interests of ease of understanding at the Property Committee meeting, to provide me with a further written explanation/motivation of the parishes intention to finance and to undertake this stage of the whole development. Mr. Alcock understood that the parish had accumulated funds amounting to approximately R2,5 mil which would fund the major portion of the anticipated costs but the Committee will want the whole scheme to be clearly spelled out both in practice and financially.

Please will you let me have this by no later than midday on Friday, 4 June 2010 to enable me to circulate to the committee members prior to the meeting itself.

It is Bishop Rubin’s intention that the parish is given support for the project and I would therefore also not want the process to be delayed by not having any necessary documentation with me at the meeting. I hope that you understand.

Arnie Glasspoole