CSSC Norwich Area Association

CSSC Anglia Area Association

Minutes of Annual General meeting held on 14th March 2017 in the Targetfollow Room, Theatre Royal, Norwich at 5.30pm

Present – Helen George (chairman), Alan Crabtree (treasurer), Carol Timson (secretary), Cristina Baumber (MoD), Margaret Brown (retired), Alex Bryant (Linked), Teresa Claxton (MoJ), Crumpton Clarke (retired), Judy Cloke (DWP), Brian & Barbara Cockram, Annette Conn, Martin Dutton (all retired), Laura Edwards (MoD), Maggie Gould, Maureen & John Henson, Marian Lowe, Jim & Lynda Marshall (all retired), Frances Moss (business), Jenny Newcombe (ex-civil service/business), Cynthia & Greg Northmore, Val & Frank Saxelby, Gertraud Shaw (all retired) Sandra Smart (HSE), Ruth Tolland. Lynda Vincent (both retired) and Jill Ward (HSE),

1. Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks 1.1 Helen welcomed everyone. 2016 had not been a good year for her family-wise so she had been unable to give Anglia Area Association (AAA) much time or attention. Particular thanks were given to Alan and Carol for ‘holding the fort’ in her absence and to the committee for their support. Also thanked was Pauline White, AAAs newsletter editor and Theatre Royal administrator, who does not attend our meeting but provides invaluable help throughout the year.

1.2 An article was published in the March 2017 newsletter alerting members to new membership numbering and that some members had not received their membership cards. To date, 25 members have contacted Helen or Carol because they had not received new cards. These issues have been dealt with but please be assured all queries are followed up and resolved with CSSC head office. Annual renewal membership still gives cause for concern so members are advised to switch to monthly or quarterly direct debit payments where possible.

1.3 AAAs committee are always open for suggestions on potential events/trips or how we can improve – we welcome feedback and comments. However, there are lots of new trips/events in the planning for this year. 2. Apologies for absence 2.1 Apologies were received from Paul & Karin Anderson, Dennis Baumber, Sue Bull, John Claxton, Brian Cloke, Diane Dutton, Nigel George, Pam Kemp, Jean & Stuart Lawrie, Geoff Sinden, Barry Timson, Paula Waters-Bunn and Kevin & Pauline White. Minutes of: Norwich Area Association AGM on 8 March 2016 : Gt Yarmouth & 3. Lowestoft Area Association on 11 March 2016 and Anglia Area Association SGM on 11 March 2016. 3.1 There were no issues with all the minutes. John H proposed acceptance, seconded by Martin.

4. Matters arising

4.1 Item 9.3 – Motion to CSSC Annual Conference re: partners/spouses not being able to use the same email address in the CSSC database. Helen had not taken this issue to CSSC Annual Conference but it has been mentioned on numerous occasions with various head office personnel. Helen is planning a visit to CSSC head office in the not too distant future to talk about this problem and other issues. 5. Treasurer’s report 5.1 There were no questions on Alan’s reports.

5.2 Changes will be made this year regarding the amount of grant we are allowed to carry forward to 2018. Instead of 20% we can now carry forward 40% which should make Alan’s job easier at the end of the year. Head office is also looking at making improvements to how they calculate our annual grant.

5.3 This year we have not had to make a contribution to the Eastern Region (ER) ‘pot’ and we have been awarded extra grant funds because head office made errors with the first grant allocation calculation.

5.4 Alan was thanked for his hard work through the year.

5.5 Anthony Sinden (Auditor) was thanked for doing a sterling job and approval was sought to award him £75 for his work. The meeting was unanimous in agreement to the award. 6. Secretary’s report 6.1 There were no questions on Carol’s report.

6.2 Carol was thanked for her hard work through the year. 7. Election of Officers and Committee members to Anglia Area Association 7.1 The officers and committee were re-elected en bloc by a unanimous show of hands. 8. Appointment of Auditor 8.1 Anthony Sinden is prepared to stand as Auditor for 2017 – agreed.

Formal business closed at 17.47

9. Open Forum 9.1 Suggested trips by members: Beamish/Newcastle / Sutton Hoo at Summer Solstice / Woburn Abbey.

9.2 Proposed trips/events planned or proposed for the future:  Warners Textile Museum & Braintree Shopping outlet.  Christmas lights at Kew at end November/December, with possible Hampton Court in the afternoon.  Fford cruise for April 2018.  Racing Day at Ascot on 9 September when a Food & Wine Festival is being held.  Via Groups Direct – Steam museum in Essex.  Town walks in Gt Yarmouth

9.3 Each year, the committee review the ‘value for money’ of the Theatre Royal Corporate membership. Talks have taken place with the Corporate Members Manager regarding discounts in the restaurant and the bar for our members – ongoing. The Targetfollow room is available for functions free to our members provided food/refreshments are ordered. A reminder that discounted tickets for the Theatre Royal must be ordered through Pauline White – this is mentioned in our newsletters. We will advertise the Theatre Royal Show Case days, which are open to all our members, in AAAs newsletter when ‘behind the scene’ tours take place.

9.4 Cristina raised the issue that grants are not available towards National Trust annual membership and members have to pay full price on AAAs organised trips to National Trust properties. A: The committee agreed a long while ago that we would offer ‘package’ prices for our trips (which are generously discounted) and not organise separate prices for members of particular venues. However, the committee will be reviewing our Grants and Subsidies Policy at our next committee meeting and we will inform Cristina of the outcome. Action: Helen / Alan / CT

9.5 A reminder of the new benefit of free entry into Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court and the Banqueting House but members need to apply for the vouchers on the CSSC website to present at the attraction. Free entry is not via your CSSC membership card.

9.6 The issue of not being able to use our CSSC membership card for free entry into Scottish Heritage sites as we do for English Heritage in England and Cadw sites in Wales was discussed. Action: Helen to raise this issue with head office.

9.7 The problems arising from tighter/restricted coach driver working hours was discussed and further explained. Carol mentioned a suggestion by one of the coach drivers that the coach could park in the O2 for the day thereby reducing the drivers hours going in and out of central London. However, members would have to make their own way into the centre and spend extra expense doing so.

9.8 Laura mentioned she still has places available on the Chatham Dockyard trip on 1st April.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 18:10

………………………… Helen George Chairman, AAA CSSC Date:…………………..