Present:

Steve Holmes – Chairman
Carol Hobson – Treasurer
Alan Stoodley – Secretary
John Dawson
John Mekile
Andy hall
Bob Kirby
Phil Parker

Previous Minutes:

The minutes of the previous A.G.M. were reviewed and agreed.

 

Chairman’s Report:

The Chairman’s report was distributed and discussed.

The document detailed the legal and administrive aspects of the Association, it also outlined the activities and achievements of the Association over the previous year.

Steve was thanked for his report and indeed the considerable effort and energy he has put in to the Chairman’s role over a sustained period.

 

Treasurers Report:  

The Treasurers report was presented and agreed. The Associations finances are in a healthy state with approximately £1000 of funds remaining available after payment of all outstanding outlays.

Carol was thanked for her diligence and professionalism in dealing with the Associations finances.

 

Re-election of members:

This item generated the majority of the discussion at the meeting.
John Mekile proposed that the committee should be re-elected ‘on block’. This was duly seconded and agreed.

However there was one serious problem in that Steve has expressed his wish  to stand down as Chairman. Steve is still keen to be involved with the Association but he feels it is time for ‘new blood’ with new ideas to take over and drive the Association forward. Steve’s personal commitments also make it difficult for him to commit the amount of time to the Association as he has done in the past. 

Despite considerable canvassing for a new Chairman prior to the A.G.M no one has been forthcoming. Without a chairman the Association would of course fold.

After considerable discussion and the airing of several options i.e. a shared Chairmanship, joint Chairman’s or rotation of the Chair among committee members no fully satisfactory solution was reached.

It was however felt that if the Association was to cease to exist it would be a great shame for the local community as it would remove a mechanism which facilitates help with local issues.

Discussion also revolved around the fact that if particularly emotive issues surface it would be very difficult to re-establish a new association quickly.

After considerable debate it was decided that it is essential to keep the Association alive even if in a tick over mode. Given this Steve agreed that he would remain as Chair but in a less onerous capacity and he would need to look to other committee members to carry out some of the duties he currently carries out.

This was agreed as a way forward but it was accepted by all that the need to find a permanent replacement for Steve is paramount to the Associations longevity.              

 

A.O.B.

The A.O.B. items were deemed to be largely appropriate to the next Association meeting but included;

News Letter review – Ideas for News Letter.
Environmental Festival at Wilton Church in June.
Sponsorship of the Association.
Ongoing concerns regarding parking in the area.