Agreement reached in a bid to resolve 'Beehive dispute'

Honiton Town Council and Honiton Community Complex, who run the Beehive, appear to have settled a long-running dispute on costs involved with running the community centre.

Both parties have announced that they will 'move forward' onto the next step in negotiations, after a financial agreement was reached yesterday (November 12).

The disagreement has been ongoing since 2017, due to the complicated nature of what is being discussed - namely the various interpretations of a legal document drawn up when the Beehive first began to operate in 2015.

The two parties involved are that of Honiton Town Council (HTC), who own the mortgage for the premises and Honiton Community Complex (HCC), a charity organisation responsible for running the Beehive as a community centre.

The dispute boils down to how much money the council should make available to HCC for the upkeep and running costs of the Beehive.

The initial contract that both parties signed is open to interpretation and has therefore been contested by various members involved on both sides of the argument.

After discussions were brought to a head during a well-attended council meeting on October 14 (see red button below for video of proceedings), both parties have been trying to resolve the conflict, which given complicating factors has proven somewhat difficult.

Yesterday (November 12) however, it appeared that both parties were moving forward with an agreed financial resolve and ready to negotiate the future of the Beehive.

A social media post published yesterday stated: "The Town Council can confirm that an agreement with Honiton Community Complex was signed today that allowed the Town Council to release £20,000 in order to put the past difficulties behind both organisations.

"This we are told will secure The Beehive's funding requirements in the short-term.

"Discussions regarding future long-term funding of the Beehive will begin with the council next Monday 18 November 2019.

"Both parties are committed to coming to an arrangement which will ensure The Beehive is able to build on its success and thrive in the future."

The Chair of Directors for Honiton Community Complex also issued a statement which read: "We're pleased to report that today an agreement was signed which will trigger the payment of £20,000 from Honiton Town Council.

"This will secure the Beehive's funding requirements in the short-term.

"Discussions regarding future long-term funding of the Beehive will begin with the council next Monday 18 November 2019.

"Both parties are committed to coming to an arrangement which will ensure The Beehive is able to build on its success and thrive in the future."