RIVER YEALM & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION
Registered Charity No 262929.
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held on Thursday 2nd April 2009
At the Women’s Institute Community Hall, Newton Ferrers.
The Chair was taken by the Chairman, His Honour Judge William Taylor.
1. Apologies for absence.
Sally Spooner Jenny Powlett Christopher Powlett. Crummy Gray
Len & Ann Dunkley
2. Minutes of the 2008 Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 9th April 2008.
The Chairman reminded the meeting that the last AGM had been dominated by Affordable Housing and some of the major issues of the day, the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Boundary Committee, the Local Development Framework and Sherford. All these projects were now delayed, both by Government indecision and the credit crunch. Insofar as the Boundary Committee was concerned, all were invited to read his letter to the Boundary Committee which was posted in the back of the hall and on the RYDA Website.
The Minutes were taken as read and signed by the previous Chairman, Robin Hogg.
3. The Chairman’s address.
The Chairman did not wish to repeat the contents of the 2009 RYDA Newsletter, sent out with the Agenda. However, he wished to make a few points:-
* The Village Directory. He apologised for the small print of the Village Directory amendment list attached to the calling notice. This had, however, enabled the Association to save some money on the print run. He thanked Eric Rodmell for his sterling work in collating and publishing amendments throughout the year.
* The Harbour Clean-Up. In praising Chris Bradley for his five years in charge of this major operation, he also thanked Charles Arkinstall for taking on this responsibility. In so doing he made the important point that the young should be encouraged wherever possible to play a role in this major village event.
* Renewable Energy There was much misunderstanding about renewable energy generally and he had invited Professor Leslie Bradbury to make a Presentation on the whole subject after the coffee break.
* Planning Matters. The Chairman made the point that planning applications produced the bulk of the work for the committee and reminded the audience that the “Calling Notice” had called for their opinion on two important issues: Should Bridgend be re-classified as a Conservation Area and Should the RYDA contribute to a revised Village Design Statement (VDS)? These contentious issues were linked and had been brought to the fore by two planning applications for very modern neo-cubist buildings at Bridgend, one of which, the Green House, had gained approval on appeal in spite of massive opposition from the community.
There had been a recent meeting with the local MP, Mr Garry Streeter, that had been organised by Jane Jury, a copy of whose excellent letter was also posted at the back of the hall. In the wake of this initial meeting, a small Working Group, on which the RYDA was represented, had been formed to prepare for a second meeting on the 26th June that would be chaired by Mr Streeter and would include the key Planning Officials from the SHDC.
The key issue concerned “Parish Plans” and the “Village Design Statements (VDS)” that formed part of them. There had been 24 such plans, funded by the Community Council for Devon to the tune of £47,968 in 2008 alone. 21 such Parish Plans were listed in the SHDC’s latest LDF document that had been adopted on the 24th March. However, the SHDC still refused to acknowledge these VDS as making a contribution to “Supplementary Planning Guidance”. In effect this relegated these documents, the agreed opinion of the community as to how they would wish to see the future of their village, to the status of a picture book or brochure. This democratic deficit in the planning system lay at the root of most complaints and it was hoped that this next meeting would persuade the SHDC to “Adopt” all these Parish Plans as a formal contribution to Supplementary Guidance in the future.
* Tidal Waters. This building, modernised under a “Certificate of Lawfulness” rather than going through the normal planning system, had produced a balcony that infringed the privacy of the Leonards next door. The Leonards were approaching the Ombudsman to seek redress and would have the full support of the RYDA.
* Sewage. South West Water had acknowledged that the present system was working close to maximum capacity and that any future development would risk serious overload, particularly in the summer. The Chairman felt that all future developments should include a cost penalty to fund the necessary upgrade to the system.
4. Adoption of the Accounts. The Chairman reminded the audience that they had all had an opportunity to scrutinize the accounts, which had been circulated with the Agenda. He asked whether anyone had any questions for the Treasurer. There being no questions, the accounts were duly adopted with an appreciation for all the work undertaken by Alan Lomax.
Proposed by Mrs Naomi Hunt.
Seconded by Mr Arnold Sayers.
5. Appointment of an Honorary Auditor. The Honorary Auditor, Mr John Wilson, had kindly agreed to continue in this position for the years 2009-2010. His appointment, for one further year only, was warmly welcomed and approved.
Proposed by Mrs Anne Foster
Seconded by Mrs Helen James.
6. The Election of Officers and Committee Members.
The Chairman, after pointing up the need to find a new Secretary, then moved to have the new committee elected en bloc.
Chairman Bill Taylor
Hon Secretary Robin Hogg
Treasurer & Membership Secretary Alan Lomax
Members Christopher Bradley
Rod Carter
Eric Rodmell
Kate Wood
Proposed by Mt Stuart Allen
Seconded by Mr Colin Drew.
On calling for a vote, the proposal was supported unanimously.
7. Any Other Business. There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting for a coffee break before the presentations that would follow.
8. Date of the next Annual General Meeting. The choice of a suitable date in April 2010 would be left until nearer the time.
Following a short break there were two Presentations:
* Brookings Down Wood. Jeremy Spooner spoke of the year’s progress and made the following points:-
· The finances of the Brookings Down Wood Trust, of which the RYDA is Head Lessee, were in a very healthy state.
· The wood itself was in a very satisfactory condition and about to be full of celandine, bluebells and red campion.
· The Woodland Trust had advised that care should be taken not to turn the wood into some sort of “City Park” through over management. In taking this advice, a programme of maintenance would make the most of past progress, keeping the paths clear and opening up vistas so that the wild qualities of the wood could be fully appreciated by visitors.
· The committee would see some changes in 2009. The Chairman, though remaining on as a committee member, would be relieved by Mr Bob Styring as Chairman in August. Mr Alec Longworth, whose contribution to the wood from the beginning had been so crucial and Mr Christopher Woodd-Walker whose ability to raise funds had been outstanding would also be leaving the committee as would Mrs Shiela Hicks.
· A shed had been purchased in which to store the various tools needed for maintenance of the wood. This shed did not contain any fuels or herbicides and, though its installation had incurred a small insurance penalty of some £50, it would be a welcome addition to the infrastructure.
* Renewable Energy or “Gone with the Wind” – A presentation by Professor Leslie Bradbury. In introducing Professor Bradbury the Chairman welcomed the opportunity that he would give for the audience to have a scientific analysis of the contribution that Wind Energy could make to the UK’s renewable energy targets.
On completion, there was a lively debate initiated by Dr Noel Olsen and many questions from the floor covering the whole range of issues from Nuclear Power to Tidal, Biomass and other forms of renewable energy and the consequences for the planet of their use.
Following a round of thanks and generous applause and there being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9,30pm
William Taylor, Chairman.