Association of Central Earley Residents 39th
Annual General Meeting
held at Hilltop Christian Centre, 8:00pm, Wednesday 21st March
2007
1. Welcome
Eric Ayers opened the meeting by welcoming the 19 members
and 3 visitors present
He:
- presented apologies from: Claire Dennis, Helen Hobson, Chris
McMillan, John Stannard, Paul & Alison Swaddle, Mark Thomas
and Chris Wigmore
- reported that our MP, Rob Wilson, had hoped to attend but
would probably be unable to because of parliamentary business
- explained the fire instructions for the building
- presented the Minutes of last year’s AGM (8th March
2006); the meeting agreed the Minutes. .
2. Chairman’s Report
Eric Ayers presented his report – copy attached. He
emphasised the need for more help, both on the Committee and
in delivering/collecting. Brian Hackett mentioned that when
MERA collects subscriptions, it leaves a note for members who
cannot be raised, asking them to deliver their subscription
to a committee member.
Full
text page of the Chairman's Report
3. Treasurer’s Report
Jack Firman presented the Annual Accounts – copy attached.
He mentioned that the Web Site fee covered the initial setting
up costs and about 2 years’ hosting fees. He thanked Alan
Foot for scrutinising the Accounts again this year.
View
the Treasurer's Report
4. Election of Officers
Chairman: Peter Scrivener took over as chairman of the meeting.
He thanked Eric Ayers for his work as Chairman of the Association
for the past year, and nominated him for re-election; seconded
by Jack Firman. There were no other nominations. Eric was re-elected.
Treasurer: Jack Firman was nominated by Eric Ayers and seconded
by Jenny Lissaman. There were no other nominations. Jack was
re-elected.
Vice-chairman: Peter Scrivener was nominated by Eric Ayers
and seconded by Nick Bather. There were no other nominations.
Peter was re-elected.
Secretary: there were no nominations, so this post remains
vacant.
5. Election of Committee
Of the current members, Mary Bather, Bert Eastwood, Jean Jeffery,
John Stannard, Marilyn Vowler and Chris Wigmore were standing
for re-election. In addition Helen Hobson was standing for election.
Eric Ayers proposed electing these 7 members to the committee,
seconded by Brian Hayter, and agreed unanimously. There were
no other nominations.
6. Appointment of Scrutineer
Jack Firman proposed that Alan Foot be re-appointed as scrutineer;
seconded by Eric Ayers and agreed unanimously
7. Subscription for 2007-2008
Eric Ayers proposed that the annual subscription remain at
£1 per household, with the option of pensioners having
free subscription; seconded by Malcolm Storry and agreed unanimously.
8. Question Time
Road flooding. Mr Armand described problems of roads flooding
outside St Peter’s church, at Woodlands Avenue/Church
Road and Culver Lane/Palmerstone Road. In spite of repeated
reporting to WBC, little had been done and no routine drain
clearing seems to be done. Malcolm Storry and Jenny Lissaman
urged people to keep reporting these problems, providing as
much information as possible; the problems do get resolved,
albeit very slowly, although long term solutions, such as thorough
drain clearing, are rarely undertaken. They suggested that residents
also report regular and serious problems to local councillors
and ETC, as they may be able to help get them resolved.
Brian Hayter said that 2 years ago, cameras were used to locate
the problem in the Culver Lane drain, and the location was marked
on the road; however nothing had been done. Jenny Lissaman asked
for the information on this so she could pursue it with WBC.
Speeding traffic. Mrs Eggleton raised the problem of traffic
speeding in Pitts Lane. Eric Ayers said that the police have
a portable speed detector that residents’ groups can borrow;
this had been trialled with some success in Wargrave and Twyford,
although some traffic thought to be speeding was not; the police
can write to people found speeding by this detector. If its
use shows a major speeding problem in an area, the police can
set up formal speed detectors there. ACER will report this in
a Newsletter and support residents who want to use the device.
Planning system. Nick Bather described changes to the planning
system, requiring local authorities to publish a planning strategy;
WBC’s strategy appears not to mention preserving the green
space between Woodley and Earley. Malcolm Storry will look into
this; there is some urgency as some documents relating to the
strategy must be submitted this month.
Travellers. Jenny Lissaman gave an update on the plans to stop
travellers using Town Lane to access Bulmershe Park. Erecting
an arch has been rejected as too expensive, but an earth bund
has been agreed and work should start on it in a few weeks.
9. Any Other Business
None.
The Chairman concluded the meeting by thanking members and guests
for attending, and Marilyn Vowler and Mary Bather for providing
refreshments.
The meeting adjourned for refreshments at 9:00 p.m.
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