Minutes of the Cymdeithas y Dalar Committee Meeting 03.11.2010

The meeting opened at 7.00pm to facilitate election of officials

Chair: J. Katerina Dvorakova, minutes Pam Steane Price

   1. Present & apologies.

Present: J. Katerina Dvorakova, Craig Jones, Gareth Malkin, Anne van Mechelen, Margaret Nicholls, Brian Price, Paul Rowland, Pam Steane Price, Geoffrey Williams, Peter Williams.

Apologies received from Nigel Cox

 

   2.a) Election of honorary officials

Chair: Peter Williams (proposed MN, seconded BP, all in favour)

Secretary: J. Katerina Dvorakova will remain as acting secretary until next meeting

Following officials unchanged from previous year -

          Treasurer: Brian Price

          Membership secretary: Margaret Nicholls

          Wildlife: Anne van Mechelen

          Library: Gareth Malkin

          Site Development: Paul Rowlands

          Health & Safety: Craig Jones

          Promotion & Publicity: J. Katerina Dvorakova

          Grants: Peter Williams

          Education & Community links: Pam Steane Price

Gareth Malkin agreed to represent CYD on the committee of Llandeilo Gardening Club. JKD to forward the Club's contact details to GM

J. Katerina Dvorakova remains a member of Transition Town Llandeilo's steering committee.

Shelley Pike will continue to maintain CYD's website, although no longer a committee member. The committee accepted her offer with thanks.

Chris Bradley is willing to be co-opted onto the committee; proposed MN, seconded PR. The committee look forward to welcoming Chris at the next meeting.

      b) Signatories of the tenancy agreement

With the National Trust prepared to accept a maximum of four names, Brian Price and Paul Rowland agreed to act as signatories.

 At this point Peter Williams took the Chair and proposed a general vote of thanks to JKD for her three years of hard secretarial work on behalf of Cymdeithas y Dalar. The meeting continued with 

   3. Minutes of meeting 06/10/2010 (accuracy)

The record of Chair (PW) and minute taker (BP) was omitted, as was the committee's acceptance of CJ's suggestion of permanent Chair (AOB). With these corrections the minutes were accepted as a true record. 

   4. Matters arising not covered elsewhere on Agenda

None 

   5. A.G.M. 2010 - review

Thanks were extended to PW for his chairing of the A.G.M. and to GW for organising the raffle. PW suggested some changes to improve the running of future A.G.M.s such as the provision of a table for Chair and that reports be presented by responsible officials rather than through the secretary. After some discussion it was agreed that, in view of time constraints, responses to raised points be deferred to the next meeting. 

   6. Developments concerning the site

a) New plots. The committee were sympathetic in principle to the provision of some smaller plots and will consider the practicalities as an agenda item at the next meeting. Plotholders will be consulted via mailings and personal contact.

b) Uncultivated plots. PR reported that seven plots were causing concern. Three plotholders had promised action; letters would go out to the other four. Two plots have been given up.

c) Drainage. PR and Brian Hancock (National Trust) are looking at onsite drainage. PR will report back at next meeting.

d) Portacabin. Plans to resite the portacabin are moving forward. It was agreed that Cymdeithas y Dalar will finance transportation to the sum of £200.

e) Onsite parking. Whilst the general agreement was that no cars should be parked onsite, consideration needed to be given to special circumstances. The situation was reviewed and will continue to be monitored. 

   7. Future events and educational activities

CYD will maintain a presence at annual local events such as Party in Penlan Park and Llandeilo Show and continue to work with community groups and organisations such as the Dinefwr Green Group, Transition Town Llandeilo, the Federation of City Farms and Gardens, Llandeilo Gardening Club and local schools.

JKD to copy round recent correspondence from Carmarthenshire Community Challenge.

GW to provide contact details for Carmarthenshire 50+ forum's event on 18th November

The Promotion & Publicity working party will liaise with other local groups to take forward plans for a Christmas community event. 

   8. Updates by officials

Treasurer: BP presented a financial statement showing an income of £60.00 and expenditure of £321.81 for the period 01/10/10-03/11/10. With £1679.89 carried over from the previous year, the balance to date is £1418.08. BP called for requests for 2011 budget proposals.

Membership secretary: MN reported one new member and one late renewal. She has received and responded to an email from Esyllt Harker querying onsite practice. EH is happy with the response and will be invited to attend a 7.15 pre-meeting, should she so wish.

Wildlife: AvM - nothing new to report

Library: GM has 1 new book, giving a total of 17 books, 36 magazines and 1 video

Site Development: As well as drainage (see item 6c) PR is discussing with the National Trust the possibility of planting shelter belts. Additional water troughs are on the way, and two shed applications have been received; both applications were approved by the committee

Health & Safety: CJ - nothing new to report

Promotion & Publicity: see item 7

Grants: PW reported that progress with TAyO funding is ongoing

 

   9. Any other business

PR raised the question of possible CYD ownership of machinery (tractors, ride on mowers etc.) and insurance. GW offered to explore this avenue.

 

   10. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held in Home Farm Granary at 7.15pm on Wednesday 1st December 2010. The meeting will be open to plotholders from 7.15 - 7.30pm 

Gareth Malkin and Geoffrey Williams apologise in advance for their absence.

 

The meeting closed at 9.40pm