Minutes of Meeting 07 September 2023

16:00 at Albyns Depot

 

1.   Attendance/Apologies

Present: Jeff Stafford (JS), Raymond Randall (RR), Brian Breeze (BB), Stephanie Nunn, Liz Hawthorn (LH), Jackie Whitelock (JW), Dave Bender (DB), Richard Cottam (RC) LBH Parks

Apologies for absence: Sheila Clarke (SC)

 

2.   Minutes of previous meeting - Minutes of the previous meeting (6 July 2023) agreed after an adjustment of 10p in finance.

 

3.   Matters Arising

• JS emailed Becky Gibson as to whether they wanted us to email volunteers and if they need surveys on the River Ingrebourne. He has not yet received a reply so will contact her again.

• SC has been informed that the AGM will be in October, so the accounts must be ready.

• RR has spoken to Kate Tyler regarding the Nature Booklet. She is waiting to hear from the sales manager. EWT have not set a price yet.

• We can cut back the path from the children’s playground to the Outlet.

 

4.   Chair/Vice Chairs reports

Chair – Has put in a bid for £3,500 grant from Groundwork (working on behalf of TfL) to put on a series of bike maintenance courses and led bike rides. James from Young Again will be leading the courses. Waiting to hear back.

Vice Chair – nothing to report.

 

5.   Secretary’s Report – LH has renewed the groups insurance at a cost of £157. They will not insurance the group for work in or near water.

RC advised that Thames 21 will cover work in or near water if a person is present who has undertaken their training course. RR, DB and LH expressed an interest in doing the course. RR will investigate.

 

6.   Finance Report

Balance held £2,622.73

£951.88 is reserved under Capital grants.

Balance of unrestricted funds £1,670.85

 

No change since last meeting.

RR was authorised by the committee to get a card reader for the Groups use.

 

7.   Park Officer’s Report

London in Bloom result expected in a couple of weeks.

Response Baits are now in charge of fishing at Albyns Lake. It is hoped this will regulate fishing in the lake. The public can use the fenced off fishing areas if no one is fishing there.

Mick Greenslade has paint to cover graffiti inside the pillboxes. RC is looking to purchase a jet washer to clean off graffiti on the outside. If this fails he will consider painting over it using WW2 camouflage type paint.

 

8.   Nature Booklet – See matters arising.

 

9.   Events – nothing planned.

 

10.   Cycling – See Chairman’s report.

 

11.   Work Parties _ none held since Sunday 25 June 2023.

Suggestions for future work parties:

Cut back path down to outlet behind play area.

Cut back vegetation blocking view from viewing area vegetation.

Fencing to iron bridge is damaged and in a dangerous condition. RC advised this is the responsibility of Ingrebourne Valley Ltd and he will contact them regarding this matter.

 

12.   Website and communications

Facebook page is unusable and a new one should be created using a different name. To be discussed at AGM.

 

13.   Other Business - none

 

                                     Date of Next Meeting – AGM to be held Wednesday 18 October at 17.15 at the Visitors Centre.