ITEM 1 Apologies and Welcomes

ITEM 1 Apologies and Welcomes

MINUTES OF THE AGMOF STOKE VILLAGE FUND
HELD AT THE WHITE HART,
FRIDAY 24MAR2017 AT 7.00 PM

ITEM 1 – Apologies and welcomes

Apologies were received from14 residents who were unable to attend. 23 residents (including 3 committee members) were present. New Spindleberry residents Emma and Phil Montague were welcomed to the village.

ITEM 2 – Chair’s report (Lisa Wood)

Lisa gave a comprehensive review of the last year’s events– see Appendix 1 (Done Deeds SVF 2016-2017).

ITEM 3 – Treasurer’s report (Gareth Ghost)

The latest accounts were summarised. These show a current balance of £3860.37, compared with a starting balance of £3136.86at the last AGM.For full details see Appendix 2 (Stoke Village Fund Trading Account 2016-17). The accounts were accepted by the meeting as an accurate record.

ITEM 4 – Secretary’s report (Helen Thomas)

Minutes of last year’s AGM are available on the website.

A show of hands confirmed that several residents have viewed the SVF website found it useful and worth keeping updated. Angela Blake asked if there could be an option for residents to regularly upload photos of interest. Helen will discuss with her further.

Planned/suggested events for this year:

1) Plant and cake sale at Winterbourne Nursery: Saturday 13thMay. The meeting were asked to keep sowing, splitting and growing plants, and volunteer cake bakers will be sought nearer the date.

2) Social event in September.

3) Skittles night in November.

ITEM 5 – Apple juicing (Lisa Wood)

This initiative has been led by Melanie and Lisa. Lisa ran through Melanie’s report in her absence (see Appendix 3, Stoke Village Fund – apple juicing 2016) and stressed that this project was not about making a profit, but about creating a community initiative and using apples that would otherwise go to waste.

ITEM 6 – SVF Constitution and Trustees status

Robin Mackenzie presented a draft constitution for SVF to the meeting, to formalise what already happens in practice. See Appendix 4 (Stoke Village Fund constitution). The majority of those present were in favour of this, so it was accepted by the meeting.

Robin and Tony Prior also described the history of the role of Trustee, and the fact that this formal role is no longer needed in addition to the committee members. These 2 existing Trustees were therefore formally discharged from their roles using this agreed wording:

There no longer being any financial investments held by the Stoke Village Fund the role and purpose of Trustees to the said Fund is redundant and accordingly Anthony Prior and Robin Mackenzie are desirous of being discharged from the role of Trustees. And that no further Trustees shall be appointed during the currency of the Fund as an active organisation.

ITEM 7 – Election of committee members

The existing committee were all willing to continue in their current roles and were nominated, seconded and elected en bloc:

Lisa Wood – chair, Helen Thomas – secretary, Gareth Ghost – treasurer, Maxine Owen – committee member, Melanie Nixon – committee member

ITEM 8 – AOB

8.1Rope Yarn Lane

Sue Prior updated the meeting on the latest status in the ongoing effort to establish that Rope Yarn Lane is a restrictive byway – a hearing before a planning inspector is to be held later this year. See Appendix 5 (SVF AGM – Rope Yarn Lane speaking notes)

8.2Speeding

Angela Blake gave an update on speed monitoring initiatives. When the voluntary Speedwatch group was operating, speeds of up to 45 mph past the playground were recorded, and higher speeds at Green Lane. The flashing speed warning device used by Speedwatch has recently been attached to a pole and rotated between Stoke and other locations in the parish, but this is only a temporary measure. The parish council is investigating how to raise funds to buy more permanent solar-powered speed devices that could be moved around the parish. It is estimated that between £2500 and £4000 would be needed for this, and the meeting was asked if those present would be prepared for SVF to either make a donation or fundraise separately for this. The majority of those present were interested in some action being taken on speeding, but there were very mixed feelings about whether it was appropriate for SVF to make a contribution. It was decided that further information was needed before any conclusion could be reached.

8.3Broadband

A report from this group was available for all at the meeting to read - see Appendix 6 (St Mary Bourne Parish Broadband Group).A broadband survey for all residents will be included in April’s Hill&Valley. The meeting were encouraged to complete and return this, and to attend an open meeting on 25th April to hear the results.

8.4Parish Flood & Emergency and Highways groups

Reports from these groups were available for all at the meeting to read. See Appendix 7 (St Mary Bourne Parish Flood & Emergency Group) and Appendix 8 (St Mary Bourne Parish Council Highways Group). The chair highlighted that all are welcome to observe the flood response exercise at St Mary Bourne playing fields on Wednesday 26th April, and that anybody who would like to help with highways monitoring (of pot holes etc) should contact Sarah Cooney.

8.5Defibrillator

The meeting was asked whether there was any demand for a defibrillator to be positioned in Stoke, but the majority were not interested in pursuing this idea.

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CONFIRMED AND PROPOSED2017EVENTS

DATE / EVENT / TIME / VENUE
Saturday 13th MAY 2017 / Plant and cake sale / 12.00 / Winterbourne Nursery
September / Social / TBA
November / Skittles and games evening / TBA / White Hart