<p> The DAVA WAY Association Approved Minutes of the Trustee Meeting: 20th May 2014</p><p>Venue: The Hub, Forres Meeting opened 19:30</p><p>Item Minute Action by 1 Welcome: J Thomson, chaired and opened the meeting at 7.30 and welcomed members 2 Present: David Binney, Pete Mitchell, Jim Thomson, Norman Thomson, Bill Bullock, Paul Baron, Greg McAulay, Neil Sinclair, Robbie Roberts (until 8.50) Apologies: None 3 Minutes of the previous meeting were read and accepted. Proposed: David Binney. Seconded: Paul Baron 4 Matters arising 4.1 None 5 Treasurer’s report: 5.1 A balance of £ 5572.29 is in the account, with no outstanding debits. Items Paul significant income were: £250 donation from D Binney, £3095.72 from Leader /Budge and £300 from Paths for All; with no significant expenditure. 5.2 NS said we were in a good state and asked if the Budge account was now complete and the Treasurer confirmed it was. The Treasurer thought future work by the Army could cost about £1000, but a gift aid refund was still to come. 5.3 PM suggested that the book and map sales income added up, and the meeting comfirmed it had been a financial success. 6 Lynmore Diversion 6.1 The Sec reported that he had spoken to the Forestry Commission Grampian section and they were encouraging of the proposed upgrade. A funding application could be made to the Community Fund for part funding of a feasibility study. It was noted that Lynmore is in the Highland section. DB said to would David make contact with the Dingwall office. 6.2 With help from NT he had contacted Grantown Museum/Information point, and was pointed towards the Grantown Initiative where again he got a positive response. An outline of the proposed project is to put to the next meeting for discussion, with a request to form a collaborative relationship to further its David development. 6.2 CNPA had been contacted and whilst still supportive of upgrading this section, they had indicated that reduced funding meant that that they would be unable to offer financial support. They supported the strategy of progressing the project to a costed ‘shovel ready’ state. They had also indicated that Planning Permission may 6.3 be required. Consultation with the Badenoch office had confirmed this, both to re route and resurface the path. The Sec calculated the basic cost for the 3km length seemed to be £1920 plus the cost of preparing the application. A feasibility study would cost about £1800. 6.4 Looking ahead to funding the actual construction the Sec said that Leader Plus and Sus Trans were the only organisations outside lottery funding that he could think of currently as possible financial supporters. 6.5 The Treasurer said we should ask Highland Council what point of Planning Law required us to apply for permission to improve the existing path sections. He felt Estates made new tracks and he wondered if they had to ask permission. David RR said a core path needed permission to re route. 6.6 PM said Paths for All should be able to help with advice. 6.7 The Treasurer said it would only cost about £400 to get planning permission to re 6.8 route the key section as it was only a short stretch in the middle. NT suggested a meeting with CNPA, and Grantown Initiative to discuss finance 6.9 but this was firmly rejected as being counter-productive. The Sec said if he had the support of the meeting he would: Clarify planning 6.10 requirements and look for possible funding sources for Phase 1: Feasibility Study + planning permission. He also added that it might be worth contacting our MSP if the cost of planning was to be a disincentive to community action. It was unanimously agreed that we pursue this project and the Sec. thanked for his David initiative and effort. The Sec asked that another trustee agree to collaborate on the above actions. JT 6.11 agreed. NT said Windfarm Community funding for the Grantown area may be available Jim 6.12 in the future. 7 Report of Path for All /Health and Safety Sub Group Report 7.1 PB reported that he and DB had attended the Course last week and they first had a tool box talk on basic safe use of hand tools. Mechanical equipment demonstrated was vibrating roller, track wheel barrow. It was suggested a certificated person was required who could instruct volunteers on their safe use, but we did not have these. 7.2 PfA might guide us to courses that certificate safe use of Rough Cutters, Paul, Jim, Strimmers/ blade cutters if we sent them pictures of the power tools we used. David 7.3 PB said the use of a Pole Saw needed LANTRA training but JT felt this was not so. GMc said he would investigate and report back. PB said if we needed training we must pay for it and if we cannot afford it desist from using the machine. Greg 7.4 GM said he felt any work involving tree cutting with volunteers present was not viable on safety grounds. 7.5 PB was impressed by the idea of toolbox talks about hand tool safety which was part of the course. He felt laminated sheets with basic safety information on hand tools use and storage should be made up and distributed at tool box talks on volunteer days and the contents could also be emailed prior to the day. PB was asked to initiate this and forward to the rest of the sub committee. Paul 8 Purchase of Event Shelter 8.1 The chairman has investigated the cost of a suitable event shelter to replace the ones we regularly borrowed and estimated it would cost £500 for a large one with 3 sides. 8.2 After some discussion on the cost /benefit it was agreed we continue to use the existing gazebo in the Park this summer but buy an alternative asap. NT suggested it may be cheaper to rent one but the Sec disagreed. NS said it was really a low priority compared with other potential expenditure. After discussion it was agreed PM should purchase a shelter up to a limit of £500. Peter 9 Total Giving 9.1 The Sec asked it we wanted to sign up to this web site which allowed donations to made on line. The Treasurer said it was costless, but the meeting felt it was not worth joining as we had a web page and working system now. 10 AOCB 10.1 NT informed us that Altyre intend to make a path to the Chapeltown area from the Dava Way / Mosset Burn crossing. PM asked about signage, NT felt they would place a sign there. No one raised any objection to Altyre’s suggestion. 10.2 The Chairman asked if Berryburn Windfarm Community funds were available yet. NT said they were not. 10.3 The Sec asked that those with access to smartphones check out the Dava Way App. He has been in contact with Canary Dwarf' regarding some observed ‘bugs’. All The group needs to provide details of problems to Marc in order for him to correct them. He also asked that they proof read the contents as significant valuable information has been added to the App by NT cf the Companion. He would not advertise the App on our website to encourage downloading until problems were resolved. 10.4 The Sec said leaflets still referred to the DWA’s old status as a Company and needed revision. Bill 10.5 NS said he had 24 trees to plant that we had inherited circuitously from the Queen’s Jubilee. It was agreed we could use these near Dallas Dhu. PB agreed to do this over the weekend, NS said he would store them until they were required. 10.6 NT reported that some residents of Cromdale were so impressed with the Dragoon sculpture they wanted a Jacobite sculpted for their area and had asked for details Peter from us. 10.7 PM reported the Walking Festival currently had 1 booking for each of the 3 Rivers Walks and 8 for RR’s talk. 10.8 GM asked about motorbike activity on the Dava Way, none had been reported. PM reminded the meeting of a working Party on Saturday next. So far it looked 10.9 as though attendance and work would be limited. All</p><p>Meeting closed at 21.30 Next meeting: 17th June 2014 at 7.30 in The Hub</p>