Committee minutes 5 december 2014

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday 5 December 2014 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), Brian Cornell (RST) and Gerry Crease.

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Clive Saville.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 26 SEPTEMBER 2014 The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 26 September 2014 as being a true record of the proceedings.

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MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA There were no matters arising.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard asked if everyone had seen the Bulletin regarding accidents being reported to Jenny Black.

Chard commented on the HO raffle tickets raising £10,000.

Regarding the branch needing new committee members, Chard said that Phil Dowrick is still interested and that there are 2 more members that have voiced an interest.

Regarding the IWA tools used at work parties, Chard asked if these should be officially handed over to the RGT. Brian Holt felt this should wait until the AGM to see if the branch is to continue or not and then it could be reviewed. This was agreed by all present.

Secretary Charles reported on the following items received: Minutes received and circulated: Great Ouse Minutes for August and October 2014 Peterborough Minutes for November 2014 Milton Keynes Minutes for October and November 2014.

Planning notices received: Edgecombe Park, Stowmarket Development. River Rat Tributary is kept through open park space and allows for surface water attenuation. This was discussed and agreed that this was no problem.

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

Other items circulated: Waveney Trust – various messages.

RAG Minutes.

North Walsham and Dilham working parties.

Broads Forum Minutes.

Ivan Can – Trowse Railway Swing Bridge.

Treasurer Spencer circulated the latest Accounts showing transactions and expenditure details. He was asked if the trip expenses were now finalized and he replied that they were.

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Public Relations Officer Brian reported that he had sent an email to Sue Barker regarding our offer of a donation of equipment for the restoration of ‘The Bure Navigation Conservation Trust’ but had not received a reply. Brian is to send one more email.

Social Secretary Diana reported that the cost of Fish and Chip at our next branch meeting will be £5.50 per head.

A letter of thanks had been sent to Geoff Doggett.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles said that the latest Anglian Cuttings was issued in October 2014. Chard congratulated Charles on an excellent edition.

Membership Secretary Chard reported the memberships figures as follows: Members Memberships June 434 287 July 435 287 August 433 286 September 429 283 October 426 279 November 423 277 5

REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Lewis reported that regarding permission for work to go ahead on the by-wash at Pipps Ford, Colin Turner and Les Howard had attended a meeting with the EA. This had resulted in a further meeting being planned for January 2015.

Regarding contact with Miss James at Baylham Lock, Lewis said that telephone contact had now been established.

Lewis said that the Trust’s Consultant, Nigel Holmes, had died suddenly.

Broads Authority Forum Brian reported on the National Park Statues for the Norfolk Broads. Brian explained in detail the rules for this status saying they may drop the aspiration to become a National Park. Brian continued by saying that if they become a National Park then navigation would go down the priority list.

Trowse Swing Bridge Brian started by producing a map showing the location of the bridge. Brian then showed recently approved plans for a foot/cycle bridge to be built within approximately 200mtrs of the swing bridge where part of the planning requirement was to have an opening section for navigation. If Trowse Swing Bridge is fixed it will be the lowest headroom at 9ft between the sea and Norwich. All agreed that the present navigation limits should be retained and Charles will write to Dr John Packman of the BA to express our feelings.

River Stour Trust Brian Cornell reported that Flatford Lock is now in working order and the official opening will be in the spring.

The repair of Stratford St Mary Lock is to be contracted out and Chard asked if the EA were in agreement and Brian replied yes.

Brian said that the Barge is now in need of a repaint and then finished by saying that the Trust had had an exceptionally good year.

Waveney Trust.

Brian reported that the winter talks are on their website.

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North Walsham and Dilham Canal Spencer explained that IWA Ipswich Branch had been asked by the Environment Agency to act as mediators between the EA and the North Walsham & Dilham Trust in their discussions about the Stop Order issued by the EA. After enquiries it has become clear that the land owner involved in the dispute is not willing to change his attitude. We also understand that legal advice has been sought and in these circumstances we have declined the offer from the EA. Pickerel Project Group Gerry explained that the PPG had help from Buildbase to scrape and clear the towpath from Navigation Bridge to halfway to the junction of the River Rat. Gerry continued saying the path is very good especially for wheelchair users.

The PPG have been allocated a page on the RGT website and the branch had offered them money for any equipment they may need but they have not yet responded.

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AGM, 13 FEBRUARY 2015 Charles started by saying a letter should go out to the members prior to the AGM containing the agenda. This will also include a reminder statement saying that if no new committee members come forward the branch will close following the AGM. There were long discussions regarding the AGM and what will happen if either a new committee takes over or the branch closes.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS Spencer had written to the IWA Waterways magazine about the information printed regarding the Ipswich and Stowmarket Navigation. This article was incorrect in many ways and they have agreed to publish Spencer’s letter in the next publication.

Chard said the 40th Anniversary Lunch went very well and thanked Brian and Diana for organizing the speakers and Spencer for arranging the mugs and pens, given to each guest, and organizing the display banner. Chard then thanked everyone involved.

The Committee thanked Chard and Carolyn for all their efforts in regards to the anniversary events.

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NEXT MEETING To be confirmed.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.30pm.

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