CAMELFORD ASSOCIATION OF RESIDENTS
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
held on 5 October 2006
1. Mel Baber welcomed those who had come out on this very wet and windy night.
2. Apologies received from John and Barbara Hough, Brenda Oliver, Frank Samuel.
3. Our guest speaker, Tim Yeomans of Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme spoke about the regeneration of Camelford, which had started in November 2003. Targets within the town centre include commercial and domestic buildings. Grants were available for the preservation of houses, particularly the old features. Camelford goes back to 1200 and there are many old buildings. 60% grants available for repair, 75% for reinstatement. It started with two grant applications, one for the Old Town Hall, the other for Market Place. Grants were offered to another five buildings, but were not accepted. Following this 12 more grant applications were made, 10 of which are now going ahead. Opeways are to be improved as part of Public Ground Works. Opeways are currently not adopted – they will be adopted by Cornwall County Council in the future. The aim is to preserve historical elements such as slate and granite steps and to make the opeways safe and install lighting. The Chamber of Commerce had been vital in preserving funding which would have been lost had they not proposed the pedestrian safety scheme and worked with Highways. The Chamber of Commerce had also facilitated the town centre heritage and street lighting scheme, and because of this Objective One funding had been granted for town centre design, grants totalling £450,000. Historical detail had been taken from old photographs which showed wide granite kerbs. The next phase is to extend the granite kerbing, more pavements and High Street underground cabling. There will be no overhead cabling in the main street. Work to start in October, November and to finish at the end of March, with a break over the Christmas period.
Tim answered questions and was thanked by Mel Baber.
4. Chairman’s report - ‘Camelford Association of Residents was set up 12 months ago following Camelford Town Councils decision to disregard the referendum concerning Churchfield Car Park. C.A.R. never considered fighting for a free car park, or any other means of paying for it; our goal was to ensure the voices of the local community were listened to, respected and acted on. This remains our goal, regardless of the topic.
The last 12 months have been a huge learning curve for me and the other members of the executive committee, who had almost no experience of running an organisation such as C.A.R. I feel that we’ve risen to the challenge, and although not perfect in any way, I feel that we have made a positive mark on Camelford.
C.A.R. has also become members of the Network of Residents Associations, an organisation that aims to represent residents groups across England. Membership of NoRA has become invaluable over the year for bouncing ideas around and gaining knowledge and information.
We are now trustees of Clease Hall, and members of Camelford Town Forum. Both groups have allowed us to build up good relationships with other organisations that have input in our town, such as the Town Council, The Chamber of Commerce, Camelford HERS project, NCDC and CCC.
We are actively working on the Grand Fireworks Display scheduled for December this year, and have held several fundraisers for this project. A very successful Safari BBQ has been our main event so far, and quiz nights have been held jointly with the Christmas Lights Committee, so funds continue to steadily rise. My thanks go to all the residents and businesses, both local and from further a field, that have shown their support and helped in so many ways. Up coming events include a Curry Night (28th October), and an Auction of Promises early in the New Year. Any offers of help gratefully received!
C.A.R. Funds have ticked over nicely, and although we have only minimal expenses, we are hoping to hold a quiz night on 12th October. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Treasurer Mark Stockwood, for his hard work and dedication.
Also this year we have been working on cleaning up the river and river path from The Bridge to Fenteroon Road. Volunteers will be needed in the spring so hunt out those wellies!!
We’ve also set up a website, www.camres.org.uk , which has been a great success. We’ve welcomed almost 3000 visitors to this site, and I’m confident that its popularity will continue into the next 12 months. However, as this is a community resource, I hope that in the next year we will increase the volume of input and suggestions from residents, so that it becomes a site that truly belongs to the community. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our web hosts ‘bobthewebbuilder’, who manage and run the site.
‘Bobthewebbuilder’ also set up ‘Camelford Talking Shop’ (an internet forum for Camelford), following a suggestion from C.A.R. The site received a mixed response initially, but its popularity is increasing. Although C.A.R. has no input or control over the site, I believe that it’s positive attitude towards free speech is refreshing, and would encourage everyone to get online and talk over the issues and ideas concerning were we live.
Many months ago we discussed the possibility of producing a newsletter. This came to fruition last week, and I want to thank Vice Chair Eddie McCormick for all his hard work with this publication. I hope that residents and businesses have found it to be an informative and interesting read, and look forward to issue 2 coming out.Of course one of the matters taking up much of our time is observing our Town Council. Representatives of C.A.R. attend all public Council Meetings, and my sincere thanks go to Secretary Clare Ireland and Vice Chair Eddie McCormick who take notes at every meeting. I’ve done it once and can testify as to how difficult that can be! However, I have been heart warmed by the positive response we have received to publishing these notes on the website.
Our initial goals of restoring democracy and listening to what residents actually want remain the foundations of C.A.R., although it is no longer just Churchfield Car Park that warrants our attention. We have continued to lobby the council on this particular issue, and try to remain positive that come May, the wishes of Camelford Residents will be listened to. It must be said however, that over the course of the year, we have unfortunately discovered that there are ‘holes’ in the Parish and Town Council monitoring process set up by central government. This matter has been discussed with NoRA recently as other Residents Associations have also expressed concerns, and we’re hoping that this matter will be taken forward nationally by NoRA in the near future.
I have enjoyed the last year immensely, and although sometimes incredibly trying and often frustrating, it has been exceptionally rewarding, and I have learned so much about local democracy and local politics. I believe that C.A.R. has a strong future in Camelford Parish and the surrounding areas, and there are still so many issues left to discuss such as the Bypass, New Medical Centre and Pedestrian Scheme.
I have also had the opportunity to work with many interesting people over the last year, and have has the privilege to work with a great executive committee, who’s support, dedication and passion has been an inspiration to me.
Finally, I have discovered just how many wonderful people live and work in our community, so last but not least, I would like to thank all the residents of this parish, for allowing C.A.R. to speak on your behalf.
I look forward to an even better and brighter future for a united Camelford.’
5. Treasurer’s report – Mark Stockwood provided a written report detailing the accounts of the Association. The bank account is held at Barclays Bank, Camelford. Apart from donations from members £83 was raised at a quiz night held at the Liberal Democrat Club. All other fundraising has been towards the town’s annual firework display on 2 December and the 2007 event, totalling £820.96, such monies now being held by the treasurer of Camelford Forum. Spending on behalf of CAR has been :
Setting up CAR website £56.30
Creation of CAR website £30.00
Laminating pouches £5.99
Annual subscription to NoRA £25.00
Site for Camelford Show £28.00
NCDC licence for Safari Supper £21.00
£166.37
6. Secretary’s report – none.
7. Receive and approve accounts – proposed by C Ireland, seconded M Baber, all in favour.
8. Election of officers –
Chairman – M Baber proposed by T Tague, seconded A Sandercock, all in favour.
Vice Chairman – E McCormick proposed by C Ireland, seconded J Harman, all in favour.
Treasurer – M Stockwood proposed by M Baber, seconded E McCormick, all in favour.
Secretary – C Ireland proposed by M Baber, seconded T Tague, all in favour.
9. New Medical Centre
10. Pedestrian Scheme
11. Distributor Road – T Tague said that the writing was on the wall for the distributor road and that the town council thinks it can make it right. This does not let Camelford move on. Plan B is not allowed to develop. The majority on the town council continues to be obsessed by the distributor road. What is needed is an alternative route for HGV, but there is no-one to progress this with the existing town council. This has already been planned and costed, but it needs a request from Camelford. A Sandercock said that this government’s promise on bypasses has not been fulfilled. The BBC website will be monitored. It was proposed by M Baber that items 9, 10 and 11 be deferred for further written consultation with members. Seconded by M Stockwood, all in favour.
12. Graham Ferguson – in July Graham who is an emergency responder and paramedic had had his car vandalised whilst helping a child at an emergency call. CAR needs to tell people that this is happening and will include it in the letter about the items above and the next CAR newsletter.
13. Any other business – T Tague said he had received a letter, as had other traders, about an official town guide. He thought this was a great idea. It would be a high quality A5 publication with laminated art and a shelf life of two years. In other words, very expensive, but to go free to the public. To be published by Burrows, a St Austell company, who do the same work for other town councils. Had this gone out to tender, particularly because there is a printer in Camelford. J Harman said he thought Burrows had approached the town council. T Tague said that if you are preparing an official town guide you would expect to contact local groups and consult. The bill will be picked up by the town (via the town council), but the town is capable of producing something itself. Why does the town council see fit to sub-contract it. Write to the town council. A Sandercock said the council had not even had the courtesy to ask the local printer, merely to ask them to advertise. Why had it not been kept in Camelford and put out to tender. This will be referred to the next meeting.
M Baber said that the local Co-op has a new community initiative which she will be discussing with them shortly.
14. Date of next meeting – 18 January 2007– meanwhile information will be on our website, www.camres.org.uk, with contact details. Please get in touch.