Minutes of the IWA Ipswich Branch committee meeting held 1st February 2013

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday, 1 February 2013 Venue: ‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham.

Present: Chard Wadley (Chairman), Charles Stride (Secretary), Spencer Greystrong (Treasurer), Brian Holt (PRO), Diana Holt (Social) and Brian Cornell (Pickerel) 1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Clive Saville, Lewis Tyler and Gerry Crease.

2

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 7 DECEMBER 2012 The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 7 December 2012 as being a true record of the proceedings.

3

MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA None.

4

COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard asked if anyone had any comments on the article from Ivan Cane regarding the lack of river maintenance.

Chard asked Spencer about the link sent round regarding restoration assessment. Spencer explained that it was sent to RGT members. He then went on to say that the IWA RES COM had sent out an assessment form for restoration giving a check list of things that should be done.

Secretary Charles reported that the members’ letter regarding Committee Members required was issued and there are no positive responses to date.

Items received and circulated: Great Ouse minutes for November 2012.

Peterborough minutes for January 2013.

Milton Keynes minutes for January 2013 (via the Chairman).

Planning notices received: Oulton Broad/Pegasus Yard – Objection lodged regarding limited size of remaining yard.

Mid Suffolk – confirmed that Strategy Plan adopted.

Norwich North Road Development – no problems.

IWA HO, various bulletins circulated: Circular on the retiring CRT CEO. Internal Bulletin confirming AGM guidelines, this also included an open message from the new National Chairman.

Other items circulated: Rag Report – good news is the removal of the height restriction on the lower Gipping. A lowering sluice gate that had never been used has now been taken down.

CRT – Consultation on South East moorings. Circulated for individual response. Charles said it might be worth putting a link on the website and this was agreed.

Ivan Cane – Article regarding the lack of river maintenance.

Treasurer Spencer gave everyone a copy of the Accounts, which will be put to the members at the AGM, asking if this was acceptable and all agreed.

1

Spencer then explained the saving made by having the newsletter printed and distributed by HO. He continued saying that per capitation received for 312 members was £218.40; the printing costs sent from HO came to £89.55, this included printing, postage and envelopes, giving the Branch a profit of £128.85. Spencer then explained that the Trustees have agreed that per capita will reduce by 10% per annum over the next 3 years. Despite this it will still be a saving to the branch to have the newsletter printed at HO. Public Relations Officer Brian reported that he had sent the Broads Forum Newsletters to Spencer to include on the website and Spencer said that this has been done.

Social Secretary Diana presented the figures for the branch meetings as follows: December 2012 – 23 attendees January 2013 – 29 attendees.

Speakers are now being investigated for future meetings.

Diana said that the May Coach trip is now fully booked.

Chard reported that the dinner in March is booked and there would be a menu available at the AGM for people to choose from.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles started by thanking HO for the distribution of Anglian Cuttings in January and commented on the quality of the printing. Charles also thanked all those who made contributions to the magazine.

The next edition is planned for May 2013.

Membership Secretary Chard gave the membership figures as follows: November 2012 – 460 members and 306 memberships December 2012 – 468 members and 312 memberships One point of interest is that Tracy had reported that of the members given a free year’s membership for attending a canal camp since 2009, 5% had remained members.

5

REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Spencer reported saying that the EA is working on the River Gipping on clearance work and taking levels from Hawks Mill to Creeting Lock for desilting.

Regarding the volunteer work parties these is now moving to Pipps Ford. The fitting of sluice gates at Baylham are at present on hold due to high water levels Broad Authority Forum Brian said the next meeting of the Forum is on 7 February 2013 and will be held at the new HQ. River Stour Trust Brian Cornell reported that last year the Trust ran a River Bus from Dedham to Flatford and this proved very popular netting a profit of £6,000. They are now looking into getting a second boat.

Regarding Dedham Lock, Brian said that a quote for the gates had been received and the Trust is planning to assist in the funding and will be putting £25,000 towards the new lock gates.

Pickerel Project Group No report.

2

6

40th ANNIVERSARY – SEPTEMBER 2014 Ideas were put forward and discussed at length. The outcome was that there could be two events, one being a coach trip and the second a lunch. The plan for the lunch would be to invite the National Chairman and possibly a waterways personality. Spencer is to print details of a proposed trip for September 2014 and Chard is to check out a venue for a luncheon to be held in October 2014. Charles is to contact HO.

7

ANY OTHER BUSINESS Brian Holt stated that the IWA have issued new membership forms this year. These will be an application form with a separate form inside quoting prices; this means that the application form can be used each year which will save money. Brian wished to record that he thought this was a very good idea.

8

NEXT MEETING Friday, 12 April 2013

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.30pm.

3