Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday, 16 May 2007 at 19.30 hrs at the clubhouse of Kings Norton Tennis Club, Grange Hill Rd, Kings Norton.

 

Minutes of the Meeting

 

Present: 

A Bakewell, D Barraclough, P Evans, G Evans, G Layton, D Hampson, J Jelfs, J Anson, B Kemp, 

J McCoy, S Bakewell, D Baller, J Baller, D Kelly, G Ray, R Goodchild, J Bromley, A Cadman, 

E Chattaway, B Hewitt, J Layton, P Cage, D Human, N Human, A Smith, P Kennedy.

 

1. Welcome & apologies. 

 

The Chairman, Amanda Cadman, welcomed those present to the AGM.

 

Apologies:  S Ashley, E Gamboa, G Goodchild, S Cage, P Marsh, K & I Teisen, B Hulme, K & H Fradley, J & J Bodycote, J R Smith.

 

2. Minutes of the AGM held on the 28 June 2006.

The minutes of the last AGM were approved unanimously.

 

3. Chairman’s Report.

 

The Chairman circulated a written report and commented upon some of the salient features particularly the continuing development of the LNR and the considerable amount of work that had been achieved by the regular working parties.  Improvements to the image of the LNR were now obvious and this had been achieved not only through several community action days but also a regular ‘Green Gym’ every Tuesday.  The change in the City’s Ranger resource was of concern but the Friends had received continuing support from them and the “Birmingham & Solihull Midweek Conservation Volunteers”.  A major development during the year had been the taking out of a lease from British Waterways for the meadow at the foot of Meadow Hill Road.  We were now active with the local police in order to attempt to reduce the level of anti-social behaviour on the LNR.  The formal City Management Committee had met four times and work was being concluded on a long-term development plan.  Thanks went to all Committee Members and volunteers for making a success of the past twelve months and particularly M Andrea and J R Smith who had stood down from the FKNNR Committee.

 

The Chairman presented tankards to Paul Kennedy and Adrian Smith (Community Wardens) in appreciation of their extra efforts in assisting the FKNNR to improve the quality of the LNR.

 

4. Treasurer’s Report

 

David Human presented the accounts for the period to the 31 March 2007 and highlighted the main sources of finance, the level of subscriptions and donations received and the relevant expenditure across restricted and unrestricted funds.  It was noted that printing costs had increased and that this was due not only to the production of the Newsletter but also additional brochures and publicity financed by a BOSF (RTCC) grant. Postage costs had increased and the Secretary requested members to supply up to date email addresses so that those who required an electronic version of the Newsletter could do so.  The accounts had been audited and agreed by John Bodycote who was also willing to perform this task next year. 

 

i)        The Accounts for the period to the 31 March 2007 were approved unanimously.

ii)      A resolution to appoint John Bodycote as auditor of the funds of FKNNR for the forthcoming year was approved unanimously.

 

5.  Membership Secretary’s Report

 

Jil Bromley reported that the membership numbers at the end of March stood at 176 (2006: 155) households; although some members’ subscriptions were now well in arrears.  Most of the members continued to be local residents although there was now a substantial number who lived outside of Kings Norton.  The committee were considering measures to increase membership.  The report was noted.

 

6. Education Liaison Officers’ report.

 

The Chairman commented upon difficulties being experienced in this area without adequate support.  Further progress would be limited due to lack of resources.  It had still not been possible to engage with Thomas Aquinas secondary school.  The report was noted.

 

8
 
7.  Membership Fees 2007/08:

 

It was proposed that:

 

i.         The annual subscription rates for membership of the FKNNR would be increased by £2 so that the membership rate would be £7 per household per year except where one or more of the householders are of pensionable age when the annual subscription shall be £5.

ii.       That the due date for annual subscriptions would be the 1st June each year.

 

The motions were duly proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed by the meeting. 

 

8. Election of Committee Members.

 

a. Election of Committee Members for one year:  In accordance with the constitution one third of the Committee retired annually by seniority of election.  Retiring members of the Executive Committee shall be eligible for re-election (max. 4).  Currently, there is also one vacancy on the Committee.

The following retiring members had been nominated for re-election:

Nicola Human; Jon Anson; Jenny Bodycote.

 

The following member had expressed a willingness to serve on the Committee:

Graham Layton.

There were no other nominations.

 

All were duly proposed, seconded and unanimously elected by the meeting. 

 

b. Election of honorary officers for a term of two years: The following Committee members have been nominated to serve as honorary officers of the FKNNR:

 

Chairman

Amanda Cadman

Vice- Chairman

David Human

Secretary

David Barraclough

Treasurer

Phil Evans

Membership Secretary

Jil Bromley

 

There were no other nominations.

All were duly proposed, seconded and unanimously elected by the meeting. 

 

9. Any other business.

 

The following topics were raised in questions from the membership and they were briefly responded by the honorary officers.  The Chairman undertook to take them, where appropriate, for further consideration by the Committee at future meetings.

 

i)              The issue of Charitable Status was raised.  It was noted that an application was now being submitted.

ii)             J McCoy drew attention to a photographic display on the River Rea.  A visit by the Rea Valley Conservation Group to the Berkswell recycling centre (5 September) was also open to FKNNR members.

iii)           The Secretary commented on Working Party activities in the year.  The detail of all work undertaken was shown in a tabled report.  Some 2,030 hours (2006: 900 hours) of volunteer time had been analysed over the site’s Management Plan compartments.  He commented upon other donations in kind to FKNNR activities, which could be valued at approximately £2,000 for tools, safety clothing, materials and tress/shrubs.

iv)           The Community Wardens outlined new initiatives to involve the local schools in environmental activities.  Activities by Bromford young wardens were also being progressed.  Links with the FKNNR would be welcomed.  This was agreed.

v)            A Bakewell commented on the Police Tasking Meetings for Beat 16, which included the LNR.  All were welcome to attend (Next one: May 30).  The Chairman commented upon the agreement with the Police whereby Police dogs would be exercised on the LNR adjacent to Merecroft Pool and horse fields.

vi)          The Secretary commented on the low level of accurate email addresses currently available and requested that all members should email him so that an accurate address list could be compiled. 

 

The Chairman thanked the Tennis Club for their hospitality.

The meeting closed at 20.30 hrs.

It was followed by a quiz night for the membership – thanks to G & D Barraclough.