Draft ------ Minutes of the CAR meeting and AGM which took place on 5th December 2007.
Present Officers: J Hough (Chairman) (JH), E McCormick (Vice-Chair) (EM),
C Ireland (Secretary) (CI), M Stockwood (Treasurer) (MS).
Also present: A McCormick (AM), Dave Pengelly (DP), A Pollard (AP), B Ireland (BI),
M Baber (MB), B Ellison (BE), B Lush (BL), P Clark (PC), B Hough.
Apologies – From Roger Hart
1 – Welcome – JH welcomed all those who had braved the weather to attend. He explained that the AGM element was to allow members to either retain or elect new officers.
2 – Chairman’s report – JH stated that since becoming Chairman in May 2007 (following the election of MB to town Council), he and CAR members have been involved in local activities, voicing the concerns of residents and various fund-raising endeavours such as the Fireworks and Lights. The ‘River Clean-up’ involved co-operation with other bodies to ensure Health & Safety and Environmental concerns were dealt with legally – he expressed particular praise to Mel Baber for her hard work in ensuring the success of that project (his thanks were echoed by the rest of those present). There are several on-going issues of concern to residents e.g. the Medical Centre and NHS Dentistry in Camelford – these are still being addressed by CAR and further replies from PCT are awaited. The footpath at Delavue Terrace is on course and the Primary School survey is progressing, albeit slowly. He then went on to state that CAR could well be looking to raise funds for other worthy bodies when it relinquishes its role on the Town Forum. Particular thanks went to Parkway for their valuable contribution to the printing of the CAR Newsletters throughout the year and to EM for actually producing them. He then called for anyone else who wished to join the Committee to make themselves known as soon as possible so that existing officers could stand down after all the hard work that they had achieved over the last 2 years.
3 – Secretary’s report – None.
At this point AM called for a massive vote of thanks to Clare for the huge amount of commitment she has put into making CAR so successful. EM said, “She’s the only woman I know with more than 24 hours in a day.” The meeting joined in this warmly.
5 – Correspondence – (out of sequence due to late arrival of MS)
(a) Dental Service – CI read a reply from A Tyas but stated that further communications are awaited. So far there has been a ‘mixed bag’ of answers and those around the table expressed the various replies that they had been given. CI was asked to write again for clarification.
(MS arrived at 7.47pm)
(b) Delavue Terrace – BE believes there may be a ‘problem’ with adequate funding during this financial year. The potential for an accident remains while there is no proper footpath.
(c) Having been asked to help Town Council with the survey on the future use(s) of the Primary School site BL expressed his disappointment at the few replies received (approx 12 so far, with most suggesting the site be developed by a supermarket chain).
(d) Medical Centre location – CI said she was very disappointed not to have received a reply because there are a large number of residents concerned about the future of the Medical Centre. BE commented that Town Forum had also had no reply as yet.
(e) SJS results (delay in publishing) – CI read out a letter dated October outlining the reasons why there had been a delay. BE stated that the closure of 6th Form was due to a variety of causes, not just, but mainly, funding.
AM then added that the Gaia Centre may become a centre for Adult Learning (after speaking to Mr D Linnell).
(f) Siting of new Primary School – the main entrance will probably be from the B3266.
(g) Email from Sector Inspector A Lewis re last edition of the CAR Newsletter was read out by CI. The content was discussed at length and some misapprehensions on the part of Insp. Lewis were addressed. His invitation to meet will be greeted warmly. MB commented, and specifically asked for it to be minuted, that it wasn’t an overheard conversation re the road closure (for Fireworks/Lights switch-on) but was due to the hard work of Ron Hart (temporary Town Clerk). MB is very concerned at the lack of Police presence apart from PCSO’s. BL asked for all present to attend the CTC meeting tomorrow (Thursday 6th) to explain all the concerns and the message conveyed in the Newsletter. JH suggested inviting Insp. Lewis to an informal meeting to clarify the format and content. CI has replied informally by email.
(h) From B Jordan to JH (as Chair of CAR) – JH read out a letter dated 20th September re libel and defamation with a suggestion that he (and CAR) seek legal advice because Mr Jordan intends to sue. To date no member of CAR has received any solicitor’s letter in respect of this issue.
4 – Treasurer’s report – MS apologised for being late, then copy of accounts supplied to each Committee member (further copies available upon request). Balance is £501.78, (£103.40 re CAR with £398.38 currently held from the proceeds of the ‘bucket collection’ on Fireworks Night). CI then handed over a cheque for a further £30 kindly donated by Style Counts. MS then thanked Clare, Ada, Barbara & Mel (and all the others) whose efforts had contributed to the success of the fund-raising ventures.
6 – Minutes of 2006 AGM – Proposed for acceptance by JH, sec by MB, all in favour apart from 1 abstention.
7 – Minutes of the CAR meeting held on 13th September 2007 – Proposed for acceptance by JH, sec by EM, all in favour.
8 – Election of Officers to the Committee – The current Committee stood down and were immediately nominated for re-election by MB. CI stated that she wanted to discuss a later Item before agreeing to continue for the full year. JH, having already indicated that he would only stay in post for one year (to May 2008), was also looking for a successor. EM stated that the item CI is concerned about could be discussed in open forum (referring to the subject of the future direction for CAR – Item 8 on the agenda but shown later in these notes). It was agreed that JH will stay until May 2008, EM will stand for another year only. MS is happy to stay on. CI will stay as Secretary for the time being but hopefully with a reduced work-load and with the proviso that a new Secretary be sought as soon as possible. BL suggested that the vacancy be advertised in the next CAR Newsletter. AP will continue to represent CAR at Forum. EM will no longer attend Forum.
9 – CAR’s future – JH reiterated the remit originally set up at CAR’s inception and expressed a concern over whether CAR is doing a good job or is the lack of numbers at meetings an indication of lack of commitment by residents. Various items were discussed, i.e. those mentioned earlier in these notes, which CAR has been involved in. MB mentioned a specific issue were CAR had assisted a local couple to their great delight and appreciation. BL then mentioned CAR’s membership of Forum which does have an impact on community concerns. AM commented on the approach made by STINC to get their organisation up and running. AP recalled being asked to sign a book to support Enfield Park via ‘Friends of Enfield Park’. This led to discussion about the organisation, its members, remit and constitution. BE reminded those present that ‘Friends of Enfield Park’ could not make decisions in respect of the park without the agreement of the Town Council (who are Trustees of the park). BE recommended that CAR continue mainly as a fund-raising body but with the opportunity to take up residents concerns at any time in the future. MS concurred with BE. PC suggested that CAR should run the ‘Love Parks Week’ next year which would permit input to the upkeep of the park and its Childrens Area. MB suggested that CTC should be approached to run ‘Love Parks’ and nominate a group for individual events.
EM proposed that, with effect from tonight, CAR should meet once per annum, with the opportunity to call extraordinary meetings if necessary. BE felt that following this course would lose CAR a degree of credibility but CAR should continue to promote and focus on the fund-raising endeavours. MS felt that tri-annual meetings (January, May & September on the last Monday of the month) would maintain a higher profile for CAR than annual meetings and proposed this, sec by MB, all in favour.
(b) Newsletter – currently every 2 months but EM is happy for this to go tri-annually i.e. before the appropriate meeting. CI then raised the issue of operational costs on behalf of EM who is funding inks, toners etc, to do with the publication of the Newsletter. EM suggested that one event per year, along the lines of Fireworks fund-raisers, would be adequate to maintain operational costs. CI does not want CAR to raise funds in this manner and will be reluctant to take any reimbursement. MB suggested that some of the quiz nights be set aside for CAR projects and operational costs (including website costs and hire of the Hall for meetings) and it was agreed to give this a try. EM explained that provisional dates for 2008 have been agreed with Lib Club for quizzes.
(c) Fund-raising ventures – The children’s play area in Enfield Park is likely to be a recipient in 2008. CI wants at least one more event to ensure sufficient funds for this and next year before handing this responsibility back to Forum, she will hand over the administration of Fireworks as soon as she is assured adequate funds are available, and in any event after the 2008 display. MB suggested that CAR inform the Forum as early as possible so that they can appoint new members to the Fireworks Committee, giving as much opportunity as possible for the new committee to engage in their own fund-raising endeavours. MS proposed that CAR covers more than one project, subject to be decided, but with one more for Fireworks, sec by MB, all in favour. CI to write to CTC offering our help for next year with children’s play area, also to write to Forum explaining the decision reached this evening.
AM reminded those present that a report is required re Curry Night and one for Fireworks (including photographs were appropriate and available. BI expressed his concerns over the historical interpretation of CAR as perceived by the previous Town Council and stated that with immediate effect he is happy to be associated with CAR.
10 – Any Other Business – None.
11 – Date of next meeting – Last Monday in January (28th).
Meeting closed.