Craster Community Development Trust
Draft Minutes of Annual General Meeting
26 June 2008 Venue: Village Hall Time: 7.00pm
Present: Michael Craster (Chairman), Michael Doherty (Secretary), John Gallon (Treasurer), Trustees ,Jennifer Doherty, Peter Howard, Alex Ainslie, Carol Grey. Members, Rosemary Gibbs, Michael Gibbs, Marion Gallon, Mick Oxley, Pete Green, Doris Clarke, Sybil Dawson, Iris Springhall, Vivian Nisbet,Joyce Shaw, James Shaw, Marjory Taylor, Michael Taylor, Elizabeth Herd.
Apologies for absence Kevin Brown, Hilary Punton, Mark Watson.
1. Minutes of Annual General Meeting 2007 - The Minutes were read by the Secretary and accepted as a true record. Proposed by Marion Gallon Seconded by Doris Clarke
2. Matters arising - There were no Matters Arising which were not covered by the Agenda.
3. Chairman’s Report - Michael Craster reported that Projects were on a care and maintenance basis with no new ones planned because we were still waiting for Northumbria Water to follow through on their agreements for compensation for use of land at the Playground. He would be reporting further on this under Item 5. On the Agenda. In the meantime, he proposed that the Development Trust should continue to support Community Groups such as the Village Hall Trust and consider projects which would enhance the quality of life for the residents in the Parish of Craster.
4. Treasurer’s Report - John Gallon submitted copies of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, Statement of Receipts and Payments and Auditors Report in respect of 2007/2008 as at 31 March 2008. These showed a balance of £496.25 in Restricted Funds and a balance of £ 7,271.38 in Unrestricted Funds making the Trusts current Total Funds £7,767.65. This represents a reduction in funds over the year of £1783. This is accounted for by settlement of the bills associated with the Information Boards at the entrance to the Arnold Reserve £1338 and the net cost of Playground Inspection and Insurance £733 including a grant of £330 from the Parish Council.
The Accounts were audited by Michael Gibbs for whom John proposed a Vote of Thanks on behalf of the Trust. He also pointed out that Michael had needed to “qualify” his Auditors Report because he was unable to verify by inspection the unsold stock of We Can Mind the Time books.
The Accounts were accepted by a unanimous vote.
Michael Gibbs asked that the Trust reconsider the pricing and marketing of We Can Mind The Time. The Chairman agreed that this would be discussed by the Executive Committee following the AGM.
5. Northumbria Water - New proposal and threat of compulsory purchase of Play-park land required for sewage treatment works.
Michael Craster reported that Northumbria Water had written to the Trust and the Parish Council offering to purchase the land at the Playground which they required for the new sewage treatment plant for £10,000. Alternatively they proposed Compulsory Purchase. This indicates that the Company are not prepared to stand by what the Parish Council and the Trust had understood to be the agreement reached with Northumbria Water following the Public Meeting in 2006. The Terms of Compensation negotiated for us by Hugh Fell, of George White’s, were £2000 per annum for a 50 year lease and £200 per week for the temporary use of land for vehicle parking during construction.
The Development Trust and the Parish Council agree that Northumbria Water should stand by the originally agreed Terms of Compensation and have instructed Hugh Fell to negotiate on these terms and to oppose any move towards Compulsory Purchase. In discussions the Parish Council is represented by Alan Punton and Michael Craster. The Development Trust representatives are Michael Doherty and John Gallon.
Michael Taylor asked about the cost of fighting Compulsory Purchase and Professional fees. The Chairman advised that this had been carefully considered and discussed with Hugh Fell. Fees and costs are to be capped at a figure which is affordable and acceptable by the Parish Council and the Development Trust. As this was a commercially sensitive matter to Hugh Fell, the amount must remain confidential.
On a request to show the Meeting’s full support and endorsement of the action being taken, the Chairman asked for a show of hands. The result was unanimous approval.
6. Resignation of Executive Committee (Trustees) - In accordance with the Constitution of the Trust, the AGM accepted the resignation of all members of the Executive Committee (Trustees).
7. Election of Executive Committee - All resigning members of the Executive Committee having indicated that they were willing to stand for re-election , John Gallon proposed and Michael Doherty seconded the election of the following members :-
Michael Craster, John Gallon, Carol Grey, Hilary Punton Michael Doherty, Kevin Brown, Mark Watson, Jennifer Doherty, Peter Howard, Alec Ainslie.
All those nominated were elected by a unanimous vote.
8. Any other business
(1)Jimmy Shaw requested that a decision be made regarding the cupboard and computer equipment temporally stored in the Methodist Chapel.It was agreed that the Executive Committee would decide the disposal or retention of these items.
(2)Michael Gibbs also asked that the future use or disposal of the Projector and Screen also used by the History Project be considered.
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