MINUTES OF THE STORT VALLEY PROJECT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

7th MARCH 2001

HELD AT SAYSBURY MANOR SAWBRIDGEWORTH

PRESENT: Steve Karn (Chairman)
Warren Richards (Secretary)
Michael Vincent (Treasurer)
Joyce Vincent 
Janet Ralph (Thorley PC)
Stan Barker
Tony Vidler (Sbw A/S)
Eric Puncher (Sbw A/S)
Monya Billings
Ted Burrow
Joan Willitt
Edward Willitt
Carol Bartlett
Paul Ashwell
David Mead
Hazel Mead
Tom Potts                  

APOLOGIES:
Lanier Pole
Jacqueline Dore
John Rider
Diana Richards (Sbw Town Council) 
Bob Wright
Maureen Wright
Mary Bays (HCC)
David Thorogood (Agenda 21 EHDC)
Michael Brown Liz Greenwood (EHDC)
Susan Clark (Rural Enterprise)
Peter Garrett (Countryside Management Services)

MINUTES:

The Sec review the minutes of the 1st AGM held on 5th April 2000 listing those elected. These were accepted as the minutes of the 1st AGM.

Secretary’s Report on the Year. This was an extract from the 10 meetings of the year. Copy attached.

Treasurer’s Report. Money in the Bank stood at £15, which was agreed by Eric Puncher and Tony Vidler

Election of Officers. The following officers were proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed:

a) The Honorary Chairman Ted Burrows.
b) The Honorary Secretary Warren Richards.
c) The Honorary Treasurer Michael Vincent.
d) Committee members with special responsibility:
 John Rider-Fund Raising.
 Monya Billings-Publicity.
e) Committee members:
  Stan Barker and David Mead.
f) Local Council representatives:
 Diana Richards, Sawbridgeworth Town Council.
 Mary Bayes, Hertfordshire County Council.

Closure of AGM. The Secretary handed the meeting to our new Chairman who closed the AGM and moved on to the Working Meeting Agenda.

WORKING MEETING MINUTES

MATTERS ARISING:

CPRE Letter. The conference on Historic and Listed Buildings was cancelled due to F&M.

John R Letter on HCC Grant. The Sec tabled a letter received by John regarding the conditions, which we have to meet to substantiate our legitimate use of HCC Agenda 21 grant of £250, these are:

a) >Write a project report by April 01on how we are going to spend the money.

Copy of photographs, which could be used for publicity purposes.

The Sec asked for contributions to these tasks by the next meeting. Members asked if a special meeting of the Committee could be arranged with John R to report to the next meeting Members suggestion for subjects was the land adjacent to the fishing lake, administration, data for a web site, children/school involvement and building footbridges.

Letter from COVER. We received the minutes of their meeting last November and the criteria for applying to the Community Champions Fund for grants of up to £2000. In phoning Zoe Ostie she thought we should apply for a grant but the publications were not yet finalized and she would be in touch. She also put us in touch with Millennium Volunteers.

EHDC Agenda 21 Meeting. David T sent us flyers to remind us of the meeting tomorrow at Ware focusing on waste recycling. The Sec was taking his car and the Treasurer and Paul Ashwell to attend.

Land Purchase. The Sec explained that there had been a hold up in finalising the purchase of the lower half of the site due to an earlier dispute between the vendor and EA after they dredged the Pishiobury Meander without permission and left the large amount of spoil on the bank.

Agenda items.

May Fair. Monya B offered to help in the afternoon. The Sec reported we booked for one stall position.

Joyce V led us through the decisions to be made in launching our photographic competition at the Fair.
Two categories under sixteen and adults-agreed.
Return date for entries 15th September 01-agreed.
Charge for entry, adults £1 and under sixteen 50p-agreed.
Prizes adults £10 £5 £3, under sixteen’s £5 £3-agreed.

Photographs to be taken between the locks Harlow Mill and Tedenbury and within half a mile on the Hertfordshire side of the Stort.

A sponsor is offering a framed enlargement of the ultimate winner.
Arrange an October General Meeting with the photographs on display.
Have some plants for sale. A Town Map with SVP interest shown, for sale. Our stickers?

Logo. Members agreed to spend money on headed stationary and Tony V offered to get these printed with the SVP Logo and to a general layout supplied by Warren R. A decision to buy Logo Stickers was put on hold.

Publicity/Grants. Covered in Matters Arising.

The 4th April 2001 at 8.00pm in Sayesbury Manor. Note meeting in June is on Thursday 7th.

  AOB. Talk to Wally Wright about old maps and Photographs. The path at the North of Pishiobury Park is being refenced by EHDC Contractors. The Chairman tabled a letter he has sent pointing out the unsatisfactory nature of their traffic plans. Joyce V said Mouchel have admitted these are only sort term plans and would not reduce the traffic.>

* Items held in SVP file in Reference section of Sbw Library. SVPmin32

Secretary’s Report.

  1. We had 10 meetings in the past year which were all very amicable and progressive.
  2. Matters > considered and their progress:

a) Flood plain protection-signs erected, land purchased
b) Join COVER-not achieved. Join CPRE-achieved.
c) Members attending EHDC Agenda 21 Sub-Committees and Environmental Services Committees-the 1st mostly and the 2nd all by the Sec.
d) Fund Raising-obtained grant from HCC. Application pending to COVER.
e) Arrange talks-CMS and Essex WLT on managing the flood plain and next month a talk on Solar Heating.
f) Public transport and traffic problems-a letter from Ted B was presented at the Annual Town Meeting. He has also written to HCC and Mouchel.
g) Walks-with EHDC Councillors to view flood plain, Victorian Tip and Lock-keeper’s Cottage. Also similar walk given to public to advertise land purchase. –to see the good work the Sawbridgeworth A/S have achieved with their fishing lake. Visit to Wicken Fen- not achieved.
h) Local Plan-we put in a full response to the plan regarding Sawbridgeworth and commented on some environmental issues.
j) People with concerns- Thorley Wash and the freight yard. Lorries on the A1184. Rationalising speed limit through Sawbridgeworth. Building on Millfields. Removal of geese at Sheering Mill Lock. Safety of pedestrians in Fair Green. We have written letters and made local authorities aware of the problem.
k) Logo and stationery-achievable later in the meeting.
l) Opening a bank a/c-achieved.
m) HGV restrictions in Bps-response on affects on Sawbridgeworth.
n) Attending Pishiobury Management meetings.
o) Pressing for improved play facilities in Sawbridgeworth – improvements made in Sheering Mill Lane.
p) Attended Seminar on ‘Achieving a better future for wildlife’ byHerts and Middx WLT.
q) Getting on the NET-Tom P is investigating.
r) Organizing competitions-Photograph and Quiz sheets; pending.
s) Supporting the planning application for the Lockkeeper’s Cottage.
t) Promote the improvement to land adjacent to the fishing lake.
u) In correspondence with Biological Records Office on pieces of land we have interest in.
v) Input to Stansted Mountfitchit’s PC opposition to 25mppa at Airport.