Committee Mtg Minutes 7th Dec 2012

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday, 7 December 2012 Venue: ‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham.

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

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. None.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 21 SEPTEMBER 2012.

The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 21 September 2012 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 raised the subject of the IWA Bulletin regarding using your car to volunteer and Spencer replied saying that the volunteers are insured through the IWA insurance.

Chard checked that everyone had seen the item on IWA Clothing and Hi-Viz Jackets in the December Bulletin.

Secretary Charles reported on Items received and circulated: Great Ouse minutes for October 2012.

Peterborough minutes for October and November 2012.

Planning notices received: Waveney – Levy on Developers.

Forest Heath/St Edmundsbury – Joint Development Management.

Forest Heath/St Edmundsbury – Affordable Housing.

Waveny – Development Brief on Kirkley Waterfront Consultation to January. Brian said he had received a copy of the Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood and Kirkley Waterfront Development Brief. He continued saying that this is all on the tidal side of Mutford Lock and therefore no problem to us.

Babergh/Mid Suffolk Amendment to Stowmarket Plan. Gerry reported that Stowmarket plans eventually to use the river for recreation and will still keep Liner Park for recreation.

Oulton Broad – Pegasus Yard. Charles raised this with IWA for guidance in objecting and they put him in touch with Ted Gittins who said he will distil the key points and come back to Charles. Brian then said he had been in touch with Chris Groves and he said the Broads Society will be objecting. The reason for this is that there is not sufficient land for the boatyard to make it viable. Brian showed the committee a plan and gave more detail on the proposed site.

IWA HO, Various Bulletins including: Role of Branches.

Funding Update.

Other Items Circulated Southern Canals Association Update.

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Art on Lock Gates - This was discussed at length and the majority agreed that this was not a good use of the Canal and River Trust’s money.

Charles had received 2 copies of the River Stour Trust magazine, Lock Lintel. After some discussion it was agreed that an article on the River Gipping restoration would be done by the RGT for the April edition of Lock Lintel.

Charles then listed those of the committee who are due for re-election at the AGM; they are Chard Wadley, Spencer Greystrong and Gerry Crease.

Treasurer The latest accounts were discussed. Spencer explained that when items are bought for the restoration which will become IWA property then Ipswich Branch will pay; any other items such as cement, etc will be paid for by the Trust.

Spencer explained that HO is looking into moving some funds to a Charity account that offers a higher interest rate than the current one but still has the same Government guarantee.

Regarding local events being held by the branch, Spencer said that Barclays Bank will provide someone to help with these events and will then match the money raised at that event.

Public Relations Officer No report.

Social Secretary Attendance numbers at Branch Meetings were as follows: October 2012 - 32 November 2012 - 23 Diana stated that both speakers from these meetings had received a letter of thanks.

The Flyer has been circulated for the coach trip in May 2013 and 44 people have booked so far.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles reported that the next edition of Anglian Cuttings is due out in January 2013 and he would appreciate articles for said edition in the week following Christmas.

Membership Secretary Membership figures for the Branch are as follows: September 2012 – 462 members and 307 memberships October 2012 – 462 members and 308 memberships.

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REPORTS ON OTHER WATERWAYS River Gipping Trust Lewis started by saying that the last meeting was held on 23 October and the next will be 8 January 2013. Lewis commented on the latest newsletter, now being done by Les Howard, and all agreed it was excellent.

Lewis said that ‘Realizing the Dream’ is moving forward.

Spencer reported on the restoration saying that the Sluice timbers and gates for Baylham are now being stored until water levels drop. Martin and Spencer had a meeting with the footpath officer for Suffolk County Council to discuss on how the RGT could expand work to the footpaths.

Regarding the bye-wash at Pipps Ford, an LDC has been applied for.

The brick work below the bridge at Baylham is almost complete.

Lewis said that Dr Beardall of the EA has been booked to speak at the AGM on 13 June 2013.

Bramford Parish Council has taken over the Bramford Open Spaces from Suffolk County Council and has agreed to form a limited company to run it for them. Spencer said that as a

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slipway is proposed it may be possible to hold a Trail Boat Festival on the site, however as charitable status had not yet been obtained the RGT could not commit to being involved at present.

Broads Authority Forum Brian Holt gave a brief report to the committee on items from the last meeting he attended and said that he had sent a short report to all the organizations he represents.

Brian had printed out 2 of the 3 newsletters produced by the Forum to show the Committee and it was agreed to investigate the possibility of linking them to the Branch Web pages.

The BA has moved to their new headquarters at Yare House, 62-64 Thorpe Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 1RY. River Stour Trust Brian Cornell reported that the official launch of the John Constable is to be 11/12 May 2013.

The Trust is having new gas heaters installed in the Granary in Sudbury.

Brian reported that ÂŁ15,000 had been bequeathed to the Trust.

Pickerel Project Group No report.

North Walsham and Dilham Canal Brian said that together with Diana he had attended the Inquiry at Hotel Wroxham as observers to hear the appeal of the Old Canal Company Ltd (OCC) (Dilham Canal) against an AntiPollution Works Notice by the EA to be heard by an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. Brian gave his interpretation of the proceedings to the committee and said he had sent a response to HO. The appeal lasted all day through to 7pm and was followed by a site visit the next morning. It will probably be 6 weeks before the outcome of the appeal is known.

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40th ANNIVERSARY – SEPTEMBER 2014 After some discussion on the make-up of the committee a letter is being sent out to the members detailing the 40th Anniversary of the branch in 2014 and saying that it is essential that new blood comes on to the committee to ensure continuity for the future.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS Diana and Brian Holt attended the IWA AGM at Chelmsford in September to represent the Branch and received thanks for attending. Brian continued saying that he raised two issues at the meeting.

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NEXT MEETING Friday, 1 February 2013.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.45pm.

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