RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
26 February 2009
Chyngton School Hall
Draft MINUTES
Apologies: - Apologies were received from Mrs Swann, Stan Aldridge, Bob Gower (Hon. Independent Examiner), Pat White.
Chairman Gail Elhinn welcomed everybody to the AGM for the 50th Anniversary year. 39 Members were present of whom 6 were Committee Members or Officers.
Minutes of 2008 AGM: – Acceptance of the Minutes was proposed M. Murphy, seconded Z. Gibbs, and agreed.
Chairman's Report:- GE paid tribute to former Vice Chairman Roger Frost who had died in office and whose funeral had been attended by four members of the Committee that very morning.
She suggested that his Widow Eileen be invited to accept a Life Membership of SRA: proposed M. Murphy, seconded Mr. Welch, agreed nem con.
Health - progress being made towards establishing the health facilities a town of Seaford's size deserved, and the parallel efforts of the Seniors' Forum were acknowledged.
The Association was pursuing a general area review before any planning applications were considered for the Blatchington Road area.
The promised new Library provision was welcomed but alternative accommodation was needed for the Seaford Silver Band.
Youth provision in the town was a continuing concern. A settled youth was an advantage to all age groups.
Section 106: there was funding available for improving road junctions but it needed to be unlocked.
The Salts' Toilets: a partial advantage had been won but winter opening later in the year was not guaranteed.
Treasurer's Report: - Treasurer Tony Rowswell spoke to the balance sheet and accounts (copy attached).
New roads had been leafleted to increase membership.
Donations had been made most notably to the Lifeguards.
The balance was £ 5,332.55.
The Accounts were adopted, proposed L. Holland, seconded Bob Allen.
The Hon. Independent Examiner Bob Gower was unanimously re-elected.
Election of Officers 2009 - 2012:-
Hon. Secretary: no nominations.
Hon. Treasurer: Tony Rowswell
Hon. Editor: Peter White
Hon Records Sec: Julia Woolley.
These were proposed M. Murphy, seconded Z. Gibbs, and elected en bloc.
Committee Elections:-
G. Elhinn and M. Murphy are in post until 2010.
S. Aldridge (2009 - 2010 only+); R. Bellingham; D. Hart; L. Holland were proposed M. Murphy, seconded Z. Gibbs; new candidate Graham Wetherill was proposed T. Rowswell, seconded M. Murphy, and all were elected en bloc for 2009 - 2012*.
The Committee elect Chairman, Vice Chairman, Minutes Secretary and Assistant Treasurer from among their ranks at their March meeting.
The Chairman reminded Members that they left the position of Hon. Secretary and 3 Committee places unfilled and the Association would only continue to operate after its 50th anniversary year if vacancies could be filled.
Motions:- None had been notified. Points raised from the floor were:
Publicity for recruitment of members. The Committee was encouraged to explore methods of leaflet distribution to raise awareness and increase membership. Committee members explained efforts made previously and the poor response.
The question of accessible crossing of the railway at Tidemills was raised. The Committee were currently discussing methods to achieve this.
This concluded the business part of the meeting which was then handed over to the guest speaker Mrs. Samantha Shippen, newly-appointed Town Clerk of Seaford, who spoke on "The Role of the Town Clerk."
Questions which followed ranged over:
The Golf Course : disabled access to the Clubhouse
Beach Hut availability
Grant-raising and possible Lottery Heritage-Funding
Key elements of the Town Clerk's work
Making STC more visible and its meetings more popular
Longer-term strategic planning for the Town Council
Beach replenishing and re-profiling
Seaford's (historical) reputation as a Rotten Borough
Peter White gave the vote of thanks.
