Committee minutes 23 january 2015

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday 23 January 2015 Venue: ‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham.

Present: Chard Wadley (Chairman), Charles Stride (Secretary), Spencer Greystrong (Treasurer), Brian Holt (PRO), Diana Holt (Social Secretary), Lewis Tyler (RGT), Clive Saville (Memberships) and Gerry Crease.

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Brian Cornell.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 5 DECEMBER 2014 The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 5 December 2014 as being a true record of the proceedings.

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MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA Gerry reported that during a meeting held regarding the level crossing closures the Trowse Swing Bridge was mentioned as one of the improvements they need to do.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard welcomed Dale Green and Phil Dowrick to the committee meeting.

The letter from HO regarding the monitoring of branch hours was circulated and discussed.

Jerry Sanders had contacted Chard via email offering help recruiting new committee members, this was discussed and Chard is to send an email to Jerry updating him on the situation.

Secretary Charles reported on the following items received: Minutes received and circulated: Great Ouse Minutes for November 2014 and January 2015.

Peterborough Minutes for December 2014 and January 2015.

Planning notices received: Waveney Local Development Annual Monitoring Report.

IWA HO, circulated: Various Bulletins and Press Releases received.

Volunteer recording memo received.

Recruitment Workshop on 28 March 2015 in Peterborough.

Other items circulated: Waveney Trust – various messages.

RAG report from Colin Turner.

Correspondence Trowse Bridge – Concerns lodged with Network Rail. Broads Authority notified and acknowledged.

Charles had received a thank you from the Broads Authority.

Treasurer Spencer gave all those present a copy of the accounts, which will be presented at the AGM, and explained various items in detail.

HO had asked Spencer to revise the Asset Register that shows all the equipment owned and bought by the IWA which is currently insured free by IWA HO. A copy was given to the committee members and it was discussed in detail.

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Public Relations Officer No report.

Social Secretary No report.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles said that the AGM letter had been issued and he had received one apology.

Membership Secretary Clive reported membership figures for December 2014 as 428 members and 280 memberships.

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REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Spencer stated that the EA had carried out another site meeting. Another meeting is to follow on completion of the required work and Spencer said that the EA seemed very positive and a decision is awaited. The land owner is also very supportive.

Lewis reported on a full page article in the East Anglian Daily Times headed ‘Managing Rivers for Modern Benefits’ to be held on 12 February at Nayland Village Hall. Lewis is to email Matt Holden for more details.

Spencer reported that the towpath from Baylham end to the original path, covering about half a mile, is flooded and the path is now closed. Having checked with Anglian Water and after checking other options for the problem it is now believed that the flooding is caused by a blocked ditch. Spencer said that this lands is owned by the Onians Trust and the next option is to go to the Onians Trust and ask them to hire a machine and the RGT will get the ditch cleared; this was discussed at length.

Broads Authority Forum Brian had received planning information from the Broads Authority, number BA/2014/0426/FUL and on inspection stated that he could not see a problem. The BA have highlighted that the boardwalk may encroach on the river slightly. After discussions it was agreed that there were no concerns.

Waveney Trust.

Brian reported that the Trust’s lectures continue.

Pickerel Project Group Gerry said that the Stowmarket Mercury reported on the work of the PPG saying that they hope to have the path resurfaced and completed by April 2015.

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AGM, 13 FEBRUARY 2015 Charles started by saying that notices had been issued. Regarding new members on the committee the bylaws were explained and Charles said that there must be three elected members by the end of the AGM. After some discussions three people agreed to put their names forward for the Committee at the AGM.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS Chard officially thanked Phil and Dale for putting themselves forward for the committee.

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NEXT MEETING To be confirmed.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.30pm.

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