Committee minutes 28 june 2013

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday, 28 June 2013 Venue: ‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham.

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

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Clive Saville.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 12 APRIL 2013 The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 12 April 2013 as being a true record of the proceedings.

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MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA None.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard had received the Hereward magazine from Peterbourgh Branch.

Chard commented on the minutes from the Great Ouse Branch regarding Region which stated that as the Regional Chairman and Secretary had both resigned replacements are required and although enquiries had been made around the region nobody is available to take on these positions. Chard continued saying that he had emailed John Hodgson explaining the reasons why no-one was available from Ipswich Branch to take on the vacant positions within Region.

Regarding the Himalayan Balsam, Chard mentioned the press release from HO. Spencer said that the RGT had tried to organize clearance on the River Gipping by contacting Charles Beardall, EA, with little success, however the Trust do plan to try again. Brian Holt commented that this problem has been going on for years and it is a plant that is very hard to clear.

Secretary Charles reported on the following items received: Items received and circulated: Minutes from the Great Ouse Branch for June 2013.

Planning notices received: Waveney – Papers on Coastal Planning and Erosion Considerations/Renewable Energy and Sustainable Construction Environmental Guidelines.

South Norfolk – Area Action Plan Consultation – There are no waterway concerns.

Babergh – Affordable Housing Consultation Supplementary/Core Strategy Policy Changes following Independent Examination.

IWA HO, various bulletins circulated: Trailboat Festivals 2013/14 Other items circulated: Pickerel Project Walk Waveney Trust - exchange of various messages Ipscene – Charles said the branch is now on their community website.

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Treasurer Spencer gave everyone a copy of the Accounts before explaining various items.

Regarding the cost of producing Anglian Cuttings, Spencer explained that the cost to us for HO producing the magazine was £118.33 and we received £212 per capita which gave the branch a profit. Brian Holt made the point that it did not seem right that the Branch should be making a profit from this source. After discussion it was agreed that Ipswich Branch would advise HO that as the full costs of printing and distribution of Anglian Cuttings were now being covered by IWA HO the Branch would forgo any future per capita payments. Any other minor printing costs would be covered from Branch funds.

Spencer then explained costings for the May coach trip saying that all expenses were fully covered.

Public Relations Officer Chard passed on newspaper reports, received from a branch member, to Brian. With only a short time to digest the contents Brian stated that regarding the report on the new bridge at Norwich the Broads Authority are adamant that all bridges will have navigational height. The other item is a problem that the Broads Authority have, which is being discussed at the moment, regarding water entering from outside their boundaries. Brian had sent an email to Spencer regarding the waterway framework directive on how to maintain the water quality. Spencer replied saying that the Director of the Eastern Region EA gave a talk to the RGT on this subject and he was reasonably optimistic.

Social Secretary Diana had received several emails from people saying thank you for a very good coach trip in May and Chard added a thank you to Diana and Brian for an excellent trip.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Chard commented on another excellent Anglian Cuttings. Charles said the next edition would be mid-September 2013.

Membership Secretary Chard gave the membership figures as follows: March 2013 – 468 members and 311 memberships April 2013 – 459 members and 305 memberships May 2013 - 455 members and 301 memberships.

Chard told the committee that Doreen Ruff, a long standing member of Ipswich Branch, had sadly died. Doreen was a member of the branch from the beginning and had held the position of Sales Representative on the committee for many years. Brian Cornell, Carolyn and Chard had attended the funeral.

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REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Lewis said the next meeting of the Trust is next Tuesday, 2 July 2013 and the feasibility study would be on the agenda.

The AGM was held two weeks ago and was a great success with 24 members in attendance.

Lewis said that Dr Charles Beardall, EA, was a very interesting speaker.

Spencer gave an update on the progress at Pipps Ford saying all is going well. Decisions are to be made on the next process and it is planned to have the Bridge done by the end of year.

Spencer continued saying that he feels it is essential that the sluice gate at Baylham should be done by the end of the year.

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Broads Authority Forum Brian reported that each member is tasked with confirming the contact details of the people they represent. Brian said this could be difficult with some he represents, for example, he had not had any contact from the Oulton Broad Community Group. The next meeting of the Forum is in July.

River Stour Trust Brian Cornell said that they now have permission to renew the lock gates at Flatford which they will have to fund themselves but the EA has agreed to supply the winding gear and paddles.

Regarding Dedham Lock the Trust has now established that the base of the lock is owned by the original Mill Company and they are happy for the lock to be restored but the tenants are opposed. Brian explained that the ‘Kathleen’ is now operating from the Talbooth until the end of the season. The waterbus has been very successful running between Flatford and Dedham.

Pickerel Project Group No report.

Waveney Trust Brian Holt had had contact with Geoff Doggatt by phone and their plan is to have navigation back from the Geldeston Lock up to Bungay but there are problems. A small step forward is that it has been agreed that they can navigate small unpowered boats up to Geldeston although there is no official right of navigation. It was agreed to arrange a meeting with Geoff Doggatt at some point, possibly August, to discuss what is required. Brian said that Geoff Doggatt was pleased with the report in Anglian Cuttings.

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40th ANNIVERSARY – SEPTEMBER 2014.

Spencer reported that he has 40 people booked so far on the Coach trip in September 2014 and he is in the process of booking some of the sites planned for the trip.

Chard confirmed that he had booked the Cedar Hotel at Stowmarket for the 4 October 2014 for the celebration lunch. He explained that a caverey seemed the best option and all agreed.

Charles stated that the National Chairman had confirmed attendance on the date, subject to being in post in 2014. Brian confirmed that he had been in touch with Steve Hayward and he had also accepted. Regarding other people who should be invited it was agreed, as stated in the last minutes, to have a separate meeting for these decisions.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS Brian Cornell asked if the committee would like a trip on the John Constable to the Henny Swan and back and this was agreed for September or October.

Spencer said he is to give a talk about the River Gipping Trust at the IWA National Festival on Saturday, 20 July and also to the Australian Canal Society Gathering on Sunday, 14 July.

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NEXT MEETING Friday, 6 September 2013.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.10pm.

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