This was held in the Brass Crosby room on Tuesday 3rd November
The Chairman David Lambert apologised for the lack of our speaker from Eagle Heights who was busy else where today, and introduced Samaris Huntington-Thresher, one of our councillors who was present.
Apologies for absence. These were received from Philip Lane, Alan Johnson,
David and Helen Griffiths, Freda McClorey and Bridget O'Donnell.
Minutes of the 2008 AGM. The minutes were read out by the Secretary Catherine
Gandolfi. The acceptance of these was proposed by Dan Sloan, seconded by Chris
Parsons and passed.
Chairman's Report
The Chairman reported that there had been six committee meetings during the
last year together with a number of road safety and traffic sub-committee meetings.
These were to discuss solutions to the volume and speed of traffic and associated
parking problems. He said that there were copies of the wish list that had been
produced, for residents to take away today, although input on these matters
was still requested.
Thanks were given to Anne Paterson and Chris Mead for hosting the Village Society
web site. This site contained a form for the easy reporting of problems to the
council, that he urged residents to use.
The Internet Café run by Peter and Catherine Gandolfi was proving successful
with a number of residents now learning new skills and new methods of communicating.
He said he had heard that this used a broadband cable connection running around
the front gardens of Orlestone Gardens and over a fence and down the rectory
garden into the back of the Parish Room.
The monthly village newsletter 'the Village Voice' was now over a year old and
was proving to be a success. This was going out to over 200 local residents.
Any residents with potential content were urged to pass this on to Dan Sloan.
The Village Fair was supported with a CVS stall which raised over £200.
Unfortunately one plane, the Vampire, did not make it as far as the Village
due to the weather conditions.
The Produce Show in September was well supported, and David urged everyone to
enter next year.
The CVS continues to be a member of the Bromley Resident's Federation, and at
a recent meeting we heard of particular problems with a traveller's site in
Layhams Road Biggin Hill. We may well have a similar problem in our area. The
problems that Well Hill residents are present having with Travellers purchasing
land at Well Hill was mentioned and many Chelsfield residents had written in
to Sevenoaks council supporting Well Hill residents. The chairman of the Well
Hill Residents Association had sent an email to the Chelsfield Village Society
passing on his thanks to all who had written to Sevenoaks Council with objections
to this application.
The car wash in the grounds of the Koi farm has now ceased, much to the aural
relief of the adjacent neighbours.
Neighbourhood Watch will be re-launched shortly with new signs etc. There was
a case of dog napping on Well Hill with a subsequent ransom demand. David thanked
the committee for their support over the last year.
Treasurer's Report
The treasurer, Catherine Gandolfi, handed out copies of the year's accounts.
She pointed out that the interest received was much less than last year and
next year would be even less due to the paltry interest rate.
The main expenditures were on hall hire and printing. The cost of hiring the
Parish Room for the Internet Café was covered by donations and the cost
of hiring the Village Hall for the produce show is partially offset by the proceeds
of the show. The full cost of printing the Village Voice to date is not shown
in the accounts for this year as we are waiting for a further invoice. Catherine
thanked those who helped run the stall at the summer fair, Bill and Pam Ames
and John and Jenny Leach. Money made at this will go towards covering our printing
costs.
Last year we donated £1500 to the Village Hall. £500 of this was
specifically for the installation of a handrail up the steep drive in memory
of Ivy Parkes. Catherine wondered if this money had been lost in the general
funds. Julius Bannister said he had heard this matter discussed recently at
Village Hall meetings. Catherine replied that this was because enquiries have
been made into the progress of this project and the status of our donation.
Chris Parsons was thanked for auditing the accounts and Catherine proposed his
appointment as auditor for next year. This was seconded by Dennis Graham and
agreed by the floor.
Julius Bannister asked if surplus funds should support local causes. David Lambert
replied that this was possible but that the aims of the CVS are not to make
money, and the committee would have to consider what level of surplus is needed
to maintain the smooth running of the society.
It was suggested by Julius Bannister and Anne Mead that perhaps the school nature
project could be supported. The CVS committee was not aware of this project
and will consider a written submission for funding.
The approval of the accounts was proposed by Dennis Graham, seconded by Elsa
Sjovorr and passed.
Election of Committee. David said that all the current committee were willing
to stand again, and invited further nominations as there were two vacancies.
As no nominations were forthcoming, David suggested that the committee be elected
en bloc. This was proposed by Dennis Graham, seconded by Peter Gandolfi and
passed.
Any other business
The traffic report wish list was handed out and discussed generally. Among the
points discussed were the potential benefits of mini roundabouts and white gated
approaches to the village as seen in many other local villages. Samaris Huntington-Thresher
said that if we could get something done next year, we would be unlikely to
get any thing else done in the following 10 years, so it is important to get
this right now. She is willing to offer us guidance through this procedure.
David said that a possible site for a village car park had been identified next
to the children's play ground in Skibbs Lane, but any progress depended on the
cooperation of the lease holder who lives in East Sussex.
Not enough car parking is available at Chelsfield Park Hospital leading to pavements
being blocked by overflow parking. Julius Bannister said that the Hospital had
applied for permission to build another car park but this had been turned down
by the council, and a joint venture may be worth pursuing.
Pam Ames said that she had written to James Cleverly (our GLA representative)
about the need for traffic calming measures along Court Road, specifically the
Warren Road/Court Road junction and asking for advice and guidance in this matter.
As yet she has not received a reply. She also said that Sevenoaks council is
allegedly reviewing the expansion of other existing sites for travellers and
is not necessarily going to give permission to the Well Hill site. David mentioned
the illegal expansion of the permitted showman's site at Layhams Farm.
Joy Ellard asked about what was happening about the re-profiling at Hewitts
roundabout. David and Samaris both said that this was to hopefully deter travellers
and was being paid for by the golf club. The work was being monitored.
The meeting was followed by wine and nibbles, a free raffle, and a convivial
social occasion.
Meeting held on Thursday 13th November in St Martins Brass Crosby room at 7:30.
The meeting was attended by 38 persons.
Apologies of absence had been received from: Philip Lane, Jenny Leach, David and Helen Griffiths, Alan Blake, Phillys Hudson, Dan Sloan, Alan Blake and Julius Banister.
Chairman's Report
The Chairman gave a quick resume of what had been happening over the past year.
The previous AGM had been cancelled. A Special General Meeting had been called
by 12 members in July, resulting in a steering group being voted in to look
at what the members wanted from their village society and the way forward. The
steering group had initiated:
" Review of the constitution, tidying up the original text, keeping the
original aims. This would be discussed later.
" A village website had been setup with thanks to Anne Patterson and Chris
Mead for hosting this on the Chelsfield Events website.
" Reinstatement of the CVS newsletter, with thanks to Dan Sloan. This would
hopefully be a bimonthly event.
" Rejoining the Bromley Residents Federation
" Compiling a questionnaire that was sent to the 139 households in the
vicinity. Replies were received from 10% of these and reported in the newsletter.
Many residents had shown concern on traffic problems. (There had been 4 crashes
along Court Road in the last month alone, and these are now being recorded on
the village website).
The village show had taken place in September, and for once this had actually
made a profit! A contribution had been made to the Village Hall.
Treasurer's Report
Catherine Gandolfi said that there was little to report this year, but picked
points out from the accounts already been circulated at this meeting.
£1500 had been donated to Chelsfield Village Hall: £500 for the
installation of a handrail up the steep drive and £1000 towards refurbishment
costs, the Village Hall was an asset that we all enjoy, and we are pleased to
be able to support it.
The bottle stall at the Summer Fair run by Alan Johnson continued to be a great
money raiser for the Village Society, and we need to take a more active role
in fund raising at local events to support the Village Society's running costs
There appeared to be some confusion that has arisen over the Village Society's
association with the Summer Fair. This event is now run by a separate organisation
with no links with the Village Society. Local groups requiring financial support
should approach the Summer Fair committee (treasurer Peter Lamond).
Catherine said that she was pleased to answer any questions on the accounts.
Pam Ames asked if these accounts had been audited. Catherine said they had.
The copies circulated did not include the auditor's signature but the original
was available for viewing.
The account balance as of 30th September 2008 - Current Account: £261.96
Savings Account: £1516.92
Cash: £22.94
Catherine thanked Chris Parsons for auditing the accounts, and proposed his
appointment as auditor for next year.
Appointment of Auditor
Proposed by CG and unanimously approved by a show of hands
Approval of Treasurers report
Proposed by Alan Johnson, seconded by Janet Parsons and unanimously by a show
of hands.
Proposed changes to the constitution
Catherine Gandolfi said that the relevant changes had already been discussed
and agreed within the steering group. These kept the original aims of the CVS
and included minor changes to bring them up to date. The changes were gone through
individually with those attending following on paper copies provided with the
changes highlighted.
With respect to those who could join the CVS, it was wondered if church members
could join. The consensus of opinion was that if they had the aims of the CVS
at heart, there was no reason why they could not be members.
The acceptance of these changes were proposed by Jim Leach and seconded by Jeremy
Binns.
Nominations and election of committee members
The chairman stated that the steering group had been a temporary committee until
the AGM. Committee members now needed to be elected.
Those members still willing to stand were:
Dave Lambert, Terry Sparkes, Catherine Gandolfi, Bridget O'Donnell, James Hummerson,
Dan Sloan, Alan Johnson and Joy Allard.
Pam Ames had also been nominated.
As the committee could consist of up to 11 members, election of all the above
were proposed by Chris Miller, and seconded by Dennis Graham
Any other business
Traffic and parking problems became a hot topic for discussion. This included
the possibility of the Village Society contributing towards the cost of a portable
speed camera for use in the area. Not all were in favour of this as we did know
what proportion of the use, if any would be used in our area. Chris Parsons
said that he thought speed cameras should be financed by the police, and it
was not up to us to subsidise the local police force.
While traffic and parking problems within the village and Court Road were being
discussed by the audience, Julian Grainger, one of councillors, who was in the
audience, introduced himself, and mentioned that certain simple traffic calming
conditions were more likely to be accepted by the council than others. Julian
used examples such as the use of contrasting colour surfaces at the entry points
of Otford village, and the use of advisory speed limit signs used at the end
of Worlds End Lane. He said he would be happy to attend a future CVS meeting
to discuss traffic calming solutions in the village in more detail if required,
inviting suggestions from residents.
This closed the official meeting, and was followed by a break for refreshments
and a chat.
Alan Ames from Eagle Heights then gave a talk assisted by Alaska - a magnificent
American bald eagle, with a two metre wingspan. He pointed out that this bird
was the official emblem of America, although Benjamin Franklin had disagreed
with this choice, considering it 'a bird of bad moral character' (it steals
food from others). Franklin would have preferred a Turkey as the American emblem!
The birds had been heavily persecuted in the past, but now their numbers were
increasing. They were closely related to the sea eagle that has now been introduced
into the Scottish islands.
He followed this with a most interesting talk on his experiences and answered
many questions from the attentive audience. Alaska then showed her flying, and
other abilities! in the limited space of the Brass Crosby room. Alan Ames was
thanked warmly by all, and the meeting closed at 9:50.
Date - 18th June 08. Place - Parish room Attended by 32 members
The meeting opened at 8.05 and was chaired by David Lambert who read out the letter from members requesting this special general meeting. He gave an overview of some of the problems including the cancellation of the AGM and lack of, and poor attendance of committee meetings. He said that his personal view was that the CVS should be an umbrella organization for the other groups in the area.
Copies of the CVS constitution were passed round. David said that he thought the constitution was basically OK as it stands, and pointed out where the present committee has failed to follow it.
Bob H asked what the CVS has done recently. Dave L gave examples from the past including lobbying against the 1980's Hewitt's park development and how this was defeated. Julius B gave examples of newsletter, transport report, Bluebell farm and gate to church yard. Bob H wondered what other members of the committee did.
There were a number of questions from the floor about the occasional newsletter circulated. Julius B repeated a number of times that this was a personal venture by him and not connected to the CVS. Dan S asked for a name change as Chelsfield News was the name of the original newsletter produced by his father and hi-jacked by Julius. Dan S also pointed out that in the newsletter circulated in the last few days, Julius stated that Chelsfield Village needed a new larger village hall. He wondered if Julius had discussed this with the village hall trustees.
There followed much exchange between Julius B and the floor.
Jean B asked why the AGM had been cancelled. Julius B said that not enough committee members could make it, Jean B said that you just do not cancel AGM's. Terry S said that this was a wake up call for the CVS and he supported the idea of the CVS being an umbrella group.
Janet P suggested other groups could be represented at committee meetings, this was well received from the floor.
Julius B said that a number of the committee were tendering their resignation. These were Julius B, Dave G, Kay S, Peter L and Sharon W (co-opted to replace Dean W who had resigned earlier). At this time it was not known whether Joy E and Alan J were willing to continue (neither present at this meeting).
Jean B asked why the committee members were resigning. Peter L said he was too busy, Kay S said that the committee has done nothing over the past year, David G had other commitments and Julius B said that his interests were now in other areas.
David L suggested that in the future committee members should sign a document stating that they agree with the aims and objectives of the village society. Peter G suggested that a steering group be formed to ensure that the true needs of the village were being addressed and that this could report back at the AGM. There was a vote on forming a steering group until the AGM in Oct/Nov and all were in favour.
It was agreed that the steering group would consist of the remaining committee members - David Lambert, Catherine Gandolfi, James Hummerson and Bridget O'Donnell plus volunteers were requested from the floor, this would be a short term commitment. Jeremy Binns, Terry Sparkes, Helen Griffiths, Dan Sloan and Jim Leach said that they were willing to join.
Dave Lambert said he was about to go on holiday but would come up with a date of the first meeting on his return. It was suggested that steering group members stay behind and leave him their contact details
The meeting closed at 8.55