A DISPUTE over a charity's £2,000 contribution towards a new bowls pavilion could be resolved next month.The Elmswell Amenities Association (EAA) is currently pursuing legal action against the village's parish council over the sum of £2,000.

A DISPUTE over a charity's £2,000 contribution towards a new bowls pavilion could be resolved next month.

The Elmswell Amenities Association (EAA) is currently pursuing legal action against the village's parish council over the sum of £2,000. The dispute revolves around whether the money was given to the parish council as a loan or as a grant towards the new facility.

Earlier this year, the trustees of the EAA decided to take county court action to try to recover the money because it said there was nothing happening with the bowls pavilion and it needed to balance its books.

However, the council is contesting the claim, saying there is no evidence that the money was a loan and not a grant and that plans have been drawn up for the site.

The matter was due to be heard in court on Friday, but was adjourned to allow further talks to take place.

EAA chairman, Peter Dow, said: "The parish council have given details of the latest proposals and the trustees have had the chance to assess whether or not they were worthy of grant aid. It has now been suggested that if nine conditions of ours are met, we could probably agree.

"It looks as though we are not a million miles apart and an agreement is quite feasible."

Mr Dow said that the association would like to see conditions met, such as having a say in the management of the pavilion and ensuring that Sport England approves the scheme, before considering abandoning the legal proceedings.

Elmswell Parish Council chairman, Ron Curry, said:

"It is in the hands of the amenities association but they have put forward several points which they feel may put them in a situation where they may be able to avoid going to court.

"The council is happy to meet with the association and I would like to think that we can resolve this matter, but it is up to them to decide whether or not it goes to court."

He added that the authority was on the verge of signing a deal with contractors for the new building and that once a contract was signed, work could start within four weeks.

The court case has been adjourned for at least 28 days and may now take place in April.