AGM 16 March 2009
BRUNSWICK SQUARE CENTRAL LAWN ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 16 March 2009
At 16 Brunswick Square, Gloucester
Present:
Jim Procter (Chair), Russell Steel (Vice Chair), Freda Caulkett (Treasurer), Carole Carpenter, Ursula Windsor, Amanda Procter, Margaret Robson, Leslie Venon, Terry Robson, Harry Gleadow, Anthea Graham, Chris Prosser (Secretary)
Apologies:
John Gannon, Jo Whiles, Clive Poulton, Martyn White, Eva Harvie, Simon Cohen, Nicholas Totty, Sarah Scott, Stephen Prosser
Minutes of the AGM held on 18 March 2008
Approved as an accurate record. Approval nominated by Terry Robson, seconded by Freda Caulkett.
Chairman’s Report
The Chairman said it had been a very successful year. Notably, the awards achieved by the BSCLA in the 2008 Gloucester in Bloom Competition. It was good to have that recognition and commendation from an outside agency. Events such as the CCCP AGM, the Summer Tea Party, the Sea Cadets Fundraiser, the Salvation Army Carol Service and the community planting schemes were great community events, attracting a wide range of people. We had learnt some lessons in the initial development of the wildlife area, but it was encouraging to have Hartpury College on board now to help us. It is good to see local children and students using the Square now and the high quality of the gardens and the lawn is a tribute to both Andrew Pearce and Russell Steel. The state of the lawn itself is improving year on year. He also thanked Bob Wyatt for emptying the bins so regularly; Margaret Robson for making the greetings cards to raise funds; Terry Robson for regular litter-picking; Freda Caulkett for her ongoing support as Treasurer; Chris Prosser for her work as Secretary. He also thanked the Committee for working together so well throughout the year. The Chairman looked forward to another successful year.
Approval of the Report was nominated by Margaret Robson and seconded by Carole Carpenter.
Treasurer’s Report
The Treasurer circulated a summary report which showed that 01.01.08 – 31.12.08, our spending on
• electricity
• water and sewerage
• gardening
• contractors
• insurance
amounted to £3 925.96
Our income 01.04.08 – 31.03.09, through grants, donations, subscriptions, bank interest and fund-raising amounted to £5 311.89
Therefore, we had a surplus this year of £1300, even though subscriptions were down £500 from the previous year (partly due to no contribution being received this year from Ecclesiastical Insurance in Brunswick Road). The surplus will go to our reserve for all costs including service bills, gardening and emergency costs (such as tree surgery and repair work).
This surplus is primarily due to the £2000 grant this year from Gloucester City Council to develop and maintain the Square gardens as a community and wildlife area.
Harry Gleadow and Russell Steel had verified and signed the accounts from 2007/08 and said that the accounts were well compiled, in good order and they had received all the documentation needed to carry out their verification.
They would be happy verify the accounts for 2008/09before the end of May 09.
Approval of the Report was nominated by Amanda Procter and seconded by Margaret Robson.
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary described this as a very positive year in which our relationship with Gloucester City Council had been further established through their award to the BSCLA of both the £500 Neighbourhood Pride Award (for the five-year planting plan) and the £2000 Community Grant for 2008/09, replicated in 2009/10. The Council’s recognition of our hard work through the Gloucester in Bloom Awards was also very pleasing! The Secretary was excited by the development of the wildlife area in the Square gardens particularly. The gardens are looking wonderful, thanks to the hard work of both Andrew Pearce and Russell Steel.
The Secretary thanked John Gannon again for continuing to facilitate the meetings at Christ Church, and everyone who had supported the work of the Association.
Approval of the Report was nominated by Amanda Procter and seconded by Harry Gleadow.
Election of Officers
President: Ursula Windsor was nominated by Terry Robson and seconded by Freda Caulkett. She was duly elected unopposed.
Chairman: Jim Procter was nominated by Anthea Graham and seconded by Terry Robson. He was duly elected unopposed.
Vice Chair: Harry Gleadow was nominated by Amanda Procter and seconded by Freda Caulkett. He was duly elected unopposed.
Treasurer: Freda Caulkett was nominated by Jim Procter and seconded by Terry Robson. She was duly elected unopposed.
Secretary: This election was postponed until there is a willing candidate. (Chris Prosser having stood down from the post). This to be discussed at the next BSCLA meeting.
Election of Committee Members
Following the usual custom, volunteers willing to be Committee members were sought from the floor. The following were duly elected:
Carole Carpenter
Anthea Graham
Amanda Procter
Chris Prosser
Margaret Robson
Terry Robson
Russell Steel
Leslie Venon
The following were not present at the meeting, but were provisionally elected subject to their willingness being confirmed at the next ordinary meeting:
John Gannon Nicholas Totty
Eva Harvie Martyn White
Stephen Prosser Bob Wyatt
Sarah Scott
Any Other Business
Subscriptions for 2009/10
Subscriptions for 09/10 were agreed to be £90 per house; £45 per flat; £125 minimum per business.
These rates will be reviewed in the coming year, to ensure that the system remains fair, but that it does help to bring in appropriate funds towards the upkeep of the gardens.
Membership of the Association, including the Committee, is free and open to anyone, but contributions are essential if the gardens are to be maintained year on year.
Thanks
Russell Steel thanked Jim for his sterling work as Chairman yet again this year.
The Committee all thanked Anthea for generously hosting this year’s AGM.
Gloucester Arts Festival
The Square gardens may be a venue for an exhibition event as part of the Festival on Sat 16 May in collaboration with Gloucester Arts Network (GANet).
So a date for the diary.
Brunswick Square Web Site
The website needs updating; Jim Procter and Nick Eaketts currently have access to update it. Chris would liaise with Nick and Jim would update it as far as possible. www.brunswicksquare.org.uk
Future meetings
The next meeting will be held at Ursula’s house – No 4 Brunswick Square, but subsequent meetings may be held at Christ Church once dates have been agreed with John Gannon, according to the availability of the Church room.
Date of the next Meeting
Tues 28 April 7.30pm at 4 Brunswick Square,
courtesy of Ursula Windsor.
Subsequent dates will be set at that meeting.
If you currently receive these Minutes by post, but would be happy to receive them by email, please let the BSCLA know. Thank you.
Correspondence to:
Amanda Procter
11 Brunswick Square
Amanda.procter@blueyonder.co.uk Tel. 01452 223005
Margaret Robson
5 Brunswick Square
terryrobson@blueyonder.co.uk Tel. 01452 549728