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 - Article 026
THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF ALLOTMENT AND
LEISURE GARDENERS LIMITED
East Midlands Regional Committee
www.eastmidlands-allotments.co.uk
_____________________________________________________
MINUTES OF AN ORDINARY MEETING OF THE EAST MIDLANDS REGIONAL COMMITTEE held on Saturday, 10th November 2005 at 10.30 a.m. in the Cosby Working Men’s Club and Institute, Leicestershire
Chairman Mr. P.Howgill (Leicester City)
Vice Chairman Mr.B.Rayner (Vice President)
Secretary Mr T Matthews (Leicestershire)
Treasurer Mr. P.E.Lofts (Northampton) Members Mr. J.Cooper Mr. M. Peet (Leicester City)
APOLOGIES Mrs. S. Fleetwood (Regional Representative)
Mrs. P. White (Lincolnshire)
444 05 Minutes of last Meeting – 5th August 2005 (AGM)
The Minutes of the last meeting were read, approved and signed as a correct record.
445.05 Matters arising therefrom
The matter of correcting the spelling of Mr. Peet was noted. There were no other matters.
446.05 Matter of the Quorum
Members considered the ongoing problems associated with being inquorate due to both absences and illness. This problem will still persist until such times as we can recruit suitable members from counties other than Leicestershire.
This county having its full quota of seats filled. The question of lowering the quorum in the interim was the only solution to the current problems.
Agreed: That thee present quorum be reduced to 5
447.05 Chairman’s Report
The Chairman reported on the problems in representatives from Lincolnshire being able to attend in view of the long distance involved. He had agreed to collect Mrs. White from the railway station at future meetings.
The current situation with Shirley our Regional Representative was briefly reported on and the whole panel wished her well and a speedy recovery looking forward to her return in early 2006. In the meanwhile, Peter would be acting as her Deputy. Letters to HQ explaining the situation had been sent and a reply was awaited.
The Committee wished the Treasurer to send a token of their appreciation for what Shirley does for the region and suggestions from a wide choice were left to the Treasurers discretion. The Chairman had spoken to Ralph Redden (Chairman Standing Orders Committee) regarding the wording of the motion to be submitted by the Region but this would come up under item 9 on the Agenda.
Paul mentioned the substantial grant which St.Annes Allotment Society, Nottingham had received £50,000 from the Central TV grant scheme. He also felt that much more use could be made of the Heritage Lottery Fund (Young Roots) working with young people 13-25 on allotments.
As allotments are part of our heritage they fit well into 4 of the 5 criterion for awarding grants. Perhaps the Region could seek funds from this source to provide a worker to possibly promote allotments in schools. The matter needs considering if the region is to continue with its promotional work, he offered this as food for thought and possibly the way forward with recruitment and to membership of this committee.
448.05 Secretary’s Report
The Secretary indicated that he had received a booklet from the Environment Agency on Flooding Gardens (including allotments) a copy he distributed to all members. Further copies for members of associations could be obtained FOC direct from the Agency. All other matters were as per the agenda.
449.05 Treasurers Report
The Treasurer presented his audited annual accounts which were accepted. There had been an underspend of £485:80 on the budget together with a report that the money allocated to the Northampton Show had not been used. He proposed that this be carried over as an item of grant which they can use in 2006. He also proposed that the Auditor be offered a fee of £10:00. In view of the need to promote the region he proposed that a sum of £400:00 are set aside in order to produce a suitable pamphlet which could be issued to all societies promoting the work of the regional committee.
Proposed: By Mr. J. Cooper and seconded by Mr. M.Peet the following:
(1) That the annual audited accounts for 2004 be approved
(2) That a sum of £400 be set aside for publicity purposes
(3) That a sum of £10:00 are offered the Auditor for his services
450.05 Management Committee Minutes
Members considered the Management Meeting minutes held on 8th October 05.
Minute 90/05 Doc 76/05 was queried and details of where the £50,000 surplus had come from. Deputy RR Peter was asked to enquire as to this source at the next meeting... Minute 94/05 . Peter as Deputy was asked to vote NO to the proposed increase at this stage at the next meeting.
1. Regional Representatives Report
Members considered the comprehensive written report which Shirley had undertaken, despite the problems she was facing. The Committee wished to place on record the excellent way in which she was representing the region, we have had the privilege of her working so hard to ensure the region continues to flourish.
Members hoped that she would be able to continue with her work in 2006. It was heartening to see that the links being formed In Lincolnshire continues and that a positive response has been made with the contacts being made in Derbyshire. A meeting in the New Year with representatives from Mablethorpe is also proposed, providing that all goes well, health wise.
The Committee felt that once we have the new publicity to hand and a new copy of the membership for the region then our efforts to recruit new members to the Panel would improve.
Agreed: That the Regional Representatives report is received and the contents noted
452.05 AGM & Conference 2006
The venue has been changed from Leicester to Derby at The Spot, Sacheverel Street, Derby on Saturday 3rd June 2006
Nominations for the various offices have to be received at HQ by 2nd January 06
The Letter from the National Secretary was considered in full and the following proposals were made:
No submission for Life Vice President
Nominate Peter Edward Lofts to the Standing Orders Committee
A suitable form was completed and signed by the required number of members
Jim Tandy Award
Nominate Miss. Bethan Stagg (Organiser) with the ARI Organisation. She is also an allotment holder in Bath.
Motions for Conference 2006
Amendments to Rules
Amend Rule 9(1(b)
To read 10 Regional Representatives or their Deputies elected under Rule 9(1) (d)
Amendment to Rule 9(1) (d)
After the word members add and their deputies
Amendment to Rule 9(1) (e)
After the word members add and their deputies
Representative at Conference 2006
Proposed: that Brian Rayner Vice President be the Regional Representative for 2006
453.05 Cases in Hand
- City of Leicester Consolidation Scheme. Current position is that they are awaiting the £300,000 input from the sale of allotment land from the City Council. This is to be returned to the allotment budget for future use.
454.05 New Cases
No new cases reported
1. Regional Website
Members are asked to report back to their areas and ask societies to provide information for the regions website.
The site will die if it is not sent regular information. Publicity for the website will be included in the new brochure but in the meanwhile all societies are requested to send information or items of interest to the Webmaster as a matter of urgency.
456.05 Date of Next Meeting
The date of the next meeting will be Saturday 11th February 2006 at the Working Mens Club and Institute, Cosby, Leicestershire at 10.30am.
Meeting ended 1.45pm
[Trevor Matthews]
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