AGM

C.C.S.G. 2nd January 2009

Chairs Welcome: Alan Kendrick {AK} welcomed everyone and thanked all funding organisations for their continuing support. AK asked Wendy Lewis {WL} to minute the meeting due to ill health of the secretary.

Apologies: Mr and Mrs G Hodgetts and Cath Radcliff, both of who have suffered a bereavement over the festive season. Our sincere thoughts are with them in their time of sorrow.

Chairs Report: AK asked if anyone had not received a copy of the annual report and agenda for the AGM and a voting card.

AK reported that by the end of March 2009 over 60.000 hours of respite care had been provided by the group at an approximate low cost of £0.75 per hour and requested an appreciation of thanks and applause to the committee for their hard work and dedication. 10,000 of those hours were on young carers. AK claimed that C.C.S.G. were the only private sector group to put on activities for these young people. Looking to the future these young carers are the next generation of carers, by providing welcome changes, friendships and support is imperative to encourage and maintain their focus. Progression to adults carers these people will be best equipped to make definite changes in the future.

Accounts: An abbreviated projection of the accounts to date are enclosed within the annual report, anyone who wishes to see a full account can do so upon request. Thanks and appreciation goes to Fran Booth for her presentation and accounting skills to portrait these in such a professional manner.

Newsletter and Website: John Booth {JB} reported that the website receives between 4,000 and 6,000 hits per month. JB also claims that approximately 350 newsletters are distributed either electronically or through the Royal Mail.

AK believes the reason C.C.S.G. works so well, is because of the joint efforts of the whole group, through the support and commitment of the membership and the committee. AK tells that 3 years ago it was decided to set up the group and to be a united voice to heard and make a difference and with 350 newsletters going out and

- 1 - many being shared between family and friends we are now a loud voice and hope to continue growing in the future.

Resignations and Election of Officers: Resignations were received and accepted from Gaynor Bond {GB} and Michelle Ryan {MR}. MR is finding it hard to commit to the committee with problems and uncertainty within her career and personal life commitments. MR is still working for Embrace Wigan & Leigh and will continue networking and recommending C.C.S.G. to all who will benefit from a carer group. GB is unfortunately experiencing health problems, which impact on her ability to commit time to the Secretary’s job but she will still remain on the committee. Both will continue as ordinary members.

All other committee members continue to stand for re-election – unanimous elections followed.

Recommendations for additional committee members were put forward from the floor for Wendy Lewis and Janet Burtonwood these were also unanimously accepted. AK welcomed them to the committee.

Any Other Business: The floor raised a question regarding heating money that is being allocated by the benefits agency. The question was- “why isn’t everyone getting it, and would AK get in touch with the benefits agency to find out why not, if not and is it a postcode lottery?” AK responded that it was not a question for the AGM, however he will pass the question over to the Carers Forum for them to address.

AK presented a CD that has been developed by a person with Mental Health Issues it was named ‘A Guardian Angel’ the cost of the CD is £1.00 and all proceeds will go to C.C.S.G. David Lewis suggested playing through the laptop later for people to hear.

AK presented a PowerPoint of sentiments for carers this was a very powerful and inspiring PowerPoint with realistic values.

Donations of £2.00 per month can be made via the website to the group if anyone wishes to do so.

The pantomime trip is now full – Oh yes it is! The Noddfa trip is also full and a full team of Complementary Practitioners and Beauty Therapist led by WL are volunteering their time to run clinics throughout the weekend. There is a possibility of another trip in March so watch out for the newsletters or the website for further information

- 2 - John Booth’s colleague recommended C.C.S.G. for a donation for £50.00 which we gratefully received, along with a gift hamper. The best way to give this fairly to our members is to do a draw, there is a number written on the back of the annual report the person whose number is selected will receive the hamper – the winner was Mr James Wallace, congratulations to you.

AK thanked all members for their contributions to our now famous buffet and with that in mind the AGM was closed and the Christmas Party commenced.

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