Camelford Association of Residents
Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2005
At St Thomas’s Church Hall
1. Welcome - M Baber welcomed all those present and thanked B Oliver for use of the hall.
2. Minutes of the last meeting - will be available on the website shortly, but some copies are available here.
3. Matters arising - F Samuel reported that most of Victoria Gardens was on the electoral roll at the time of the referendum, and all will be on the roll for this council election. Also, for the referendum postal votes could not be used. Polling cards are not needed but postal votes go to the town clerk. Information will be on the notice board by the library.
4. Election of Officers - Ada McCormick explained that as a founder of CAR she had been given the position of Secretary, but because of work commitments she would like to stand down, while remaining as involved as possible. She proposed that Clare Ireland be Secretary. Seconded by Huw Huntley, all in favour.
Election of Chairman – Mel Baber proposed by E Collings, seconded by B Oliver, one abstention, all others in favour.
Election of Vice Chairman – Eddie McCormick proposed by M Stockwood, seconded by T Hume, one abstention, remainder in favour.
Election of Treasurer – Mark Stockwood proposed by E McCormick, seconded by T Burgess, all in favour.
5. Constitution - the draft proposed constitution was read out by M Baber. The extent of membership gave rise to some discussion, including non-voting associate membership. J Pearce suggested ‘anyone who lives within or in the surrounding area or shares the interest of the association’. M Stockwood asked if we could list the postal codes to make it more exact. A McCormick will investigate and report back. B Ireland urged caution when using the resources of the Chamber of Commerce. A McCormick said that anyone can be a member of both the Chamber of Commerce and CAR, so they can assist if they wish. J Pearce said that some people paying subscriptions and others not can lead to factions. It may be possible to raise funds through community events.
6. Council candidates - the two candidates for the coming town council election, Philip Clarke and Simon Morris each gave a resume which included their reasons for wishing to stand. F Samuel said the election would, in effect, be another referendum and we need to show a massive vote to make an impact on the council. This association must stay running until the May 2007 election when we will be able to put forward a complete set of candidates. If we don’t use the vote we will lose it. It was agreed that we work towards a good turnout at this election.
7. J Pearce reported that it had been very difficult to contact Sally Lloyd Jones and that in the time available he had not been able to. He hopes that she can be briefed. J Pearce asked the meeting to consider what outcome we want – what is our bottom line. Agenda item for next meeting.
8. B Ireland has received a reply from NCDC, not from S Lloyd Jones, though. It is a bit of a hot potato; to report next meeting.
9. Town Forum - B Ireland said that he is on the Town Forum which represents many organisations within the town. He would like to put us forward. Proposed by C Ireland, seconded by B Oliver, all in favour. B Ireland asked if CAR could help to circulate the Forum magazine and it was agreed that we could. F Samuel said that there is a notice in the NCDC offices inviting bodies on to the Town Forum.
10. Town Council meetings - M Baber said that there had been a good turnout to the last council meeting. Neither M Baber nor C Ireland has received a reply about their questions on budgets. A reply has been received about the proposed meeting with Sally Lloyd Jones, saying ‘members proposed that if the association sends the council a copy of their constitution they will consider your request for a meeting’. B Ireland said we should not send it. J Pearce thought it would be helpful to us to let them have the constitution. H Huntley disagreed and thought we should not give them information. S Thornton asked why they wanted it. M Stockwood said that there must be an officer in the district council we can register the constitution with. F Samuel said that if we give it to them they will ask for something else. P Clarke said should we not ask to see their standing orders. J Pearce said that we have to be very reasonable – this will be apparent to Sally Lloyd Jones and any higher Standards Board. M Baber proposed that we reply to the council that whilst we are willing to co-operate (and, according to their own Guide it is recommended that councillors work with key groups in the area, including residents’ associations) we find their request a little unusual and why are they asking for the constitution. Seconded by B Oliver, 19 for, 3 against, 2 abstentions. Secretary to write.
As many residents as possible should speak at council meetings during the public time. B Ireland said that they pick what they want from standing orders and gave examples. M Pearce was concerned that the council had not been able to discuss the standing orders (on their agenda) at the last meeting.
11. Publicity - thanks to everyone who delivered flyers. P Clarke said that there was not enough information again for this meeting. He suggested that as we know when the next meeting is going to be flyers should be brought to the meetings to advertise the next meeting. P Hicks said that if you issue leaflets too soon they get lost. E McCormick said that the press had been informed, but had not attended or included the meeting in their papers. M Stockwood suggested we contacted Radio Cornwall/Pirate FM. J Pearce pointed out that we have no notice board and we should ask the council for one where we could publicise meetings and other relevant matters.
12. Co-ordination of effort – we do need help to get our message out there – please come forward if you can do anything towards this.
13. Future Plans – the old type red telephone box was discussed, and the moving of the recycling area to the coach park. P Hicks asked if the car park could be free to people who live and work in the town. Now cars are finding alternative, not always suitable, places. We need someone to attend the sub-committee meeting. The town clerk should be asked.
14. Any other business – B Oliver concerned about the wording on the notice in the pay and display car park, resulting in more people than is fair paying £2. She suggested a letter to be handed to car park users. F Samuel is to investigate the wording and the part NCDC played in this, and agreed that the wording is open to misunderstanding. He will report back. T Burgess said that many people, her family included, have nowhere to park and no money to pay for parking. B Ireland will ask at the next Town Forum meeting if there is any intention to extend double yellow lines to more residential areas.
M Baber introduced the membership forms, hopefully to go on a database. E McCormick said we are wanting to set up our own website where information can be posted, including the membership form. M Stockwood to get us more information on the Data Protection Act, and report back. C Ireland asked that J Pearce joined the committee as a non-executive member, seconded by A McCormick, all in favour. To be our legal liaison. F Samuels was also asked to join the committee, but declined, offering help at any time.
15. Next meeting : Tuesday, 8 November 2005 at St Thomas’s Church Hall, 7.30 pm.