MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE
BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 8th JULY
2019 AT 7.15PM.
PRESENT
Gina May (chair), twenty seven members, including WTC
Cllrs Joanna Cornford, and David
Wallin.
APOLOGIES
There were no apologies.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (10/06/19), which
had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record on a prop. by Joanna
Cornford, sec by David Wallin and adopted, and signed.
MATTERS ARISING
Gina reported to the meeting that vice-chair Bob
Micallef has resigned due to receiving verbal and physical threats. There is now therefore a need to co-opt a
member to this position. There were no
offers from the floor.
REPORTS Cllrs, PCSOs, WARDEN'S:
KCC Warden Laura Bungard: (Report sent in and read
by the chair):
1) Drains. Laura has been
checking these especially after the recent heavy showers. Some are blocked with
earth and leaves, and have been reported.
2) Potholes. Also monitored and these are filled in a relatively
short space of time.
3) Vulnerable Residents. Laura continues to visit those who have
little family, friends, or support.
There are some good agencies available who can arrange fire alarms
checks, occupational health, walkers annd frames, doctors visits, a friend to
have coffee with, and light bulb replacement (chargeable). These services are busy at times, and it
would be good if all neighbours kept an eye on any help that could be given.
4) Contact. Laura may be contacted by email laurabungard@kent.gov.uk or by phone 07969 583922,
and her details are held at the Town Council Offices.
PLANNING
There were no local planning applications in the
W&WRA area.
TREASURER'S REPORT (Jacquie Agnew)
1) Westgate Day, 21st
July. £15 had been paid for the
W&WRA pitch in Adrian Square where there will be a stall with tables, and
Lorraine Hambidge kindly offered to lend a gazebo. Volunteers were requested to assist manning
this. It was hoped the banner could be
found or a new one made for the event.
2) Wednesday Coffee
Mornings. The takings from 27th
February to 26th June were £161 which was not enough to pay the two
hours rental for each of the eighteen days, total £271, so this has so far been
subsidised. The treasurer asked members
if they were happy for this to continue.
Many thought this was a vital link and had not been sufficiently
promoted. The prices of tea and coffee
80p and 90p compared well with other outlets.
Following a discussion during which it was agreed to advertise the
mornings in the magazine, which now will be delivered with “News and Directory”
to all in Westgate and Westbrook, a proposal to review the situation in four
months was made by Don Eacott sec by Laura Shawyer and carried with none against.
3) Cash Figures. Monies in – subscriptions £1883, Refreshments
£161, Easter Egg hunt £7, the latter was
not designed as a fund raiser but had given everyone of all ages a great time
and resulted in some new members.
Monies outgoing – petty cash £709, “News and Directory” £350, Westgate
Day £15, postal address £144 (A business address at St Augustines for security
as we no longer have a full time base).
SUNSHINE REPORT
Joanna Cornford reported that four cards had been
sent out to members this month, and
would be happy to receive phone calls concerning members in need. (Gina [chair] had phoned GDPR and checked
that is OK to use the address of a member to wish them well).
SOCIAL REPORT
Social organiser Linda Kiddell told the meeting she
was going to resign. She had taken early
retirement from school work, and was hoping to do voluntary work in the
community in addition to her work with the Global Church. Linda said she had
received moans and complaints, possibly by small groups spoiling things, and
she did not wish to be part of this or give time to moaners. She intended to
seek other voluntary work in the community. At this point Linda left the
meeting.
GENERAL INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION
Gina informed the meeting that several committee members
had received nasty and threatening communications which was totally
unacceptable.
James Brazier and Don Eacott agreed and hoped there
would be more positivity in the future.
There were now several vacancies on the committee to
be filled. Gina introduced Julian Dungey recently co-opted to the committee.
Comments and suggestions were invited, there were no
further offers to serve on the committee forthcoming, some members expressed
the hope that more younger people would serve on the committee.
James Brazier queried the necessity and expense of
employing an auditor for checking the last five years, and several members
agreed and thought we should start afresh.
Sylvia Sykes recommended that we should appoint a fully qualified
auditor for the this year. All agreed
that balances for the year end carried forward should be shown on accounts.
Don Eacott suggested that plans for events be made
for twelve months ahead so that all members can be kept informed in good
time. Gina replied that this was in fact
now being done, a date in mind being the VE day anniversary on 8th
May 2020.
Gina asked for support and help for the committee in
order to continue, and this was agreed unanimously on a prop by Tony Sykes sec
by Lorraine Hambidge.
Gina pointed out that the constitution needs to be
updated by adding provision for codes of conduct, child protection safeguarding
etc, and suggestions for these would be brought to a future general meeting.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1) Westgate in Bloom. Chris Wyer said that with all the effort
being made it seemed such a shame that many roadside trees had been cut down
and left as ugly stumps. This is
apparently the responsibility of KCC.
2) Tree Planting. Many of the
new trees have been lost either to vandalism or when contractors cut the grass.
3) Canterbury Road
Surfacing. Chris Wyer said that the
3.2million£ project to resurface this road was to have included the part of it
by the BP garage. WTC Cllr David Wallin
thought this is to be completed a little later.
4) St Peters R C Church Site Development. Chris Wyer said there is a great deal of
traffic caused by those working on the site, and the design is brutal. Both the WTC and Westgate CAAG have sent in
objections.
5) Litter Collection on Dual
Carriageway. Concern was expressed for
the safety of the volunteer collecting from the central reservation.
6) The Grove. Overhanging shrubs were obstructing the
footpath. KCC would be the enforcing
authority, but due to nesting birds there is a reluctance to cut hedges/shrubs
at this time of year.
7) Gypsy Caravans. A few had arrived with several horses on the
Westbrook cliff top by the sunken gardens, which will be reported to TDC.
NEXT MEETING
Monday 12th August, at the Bake House
7.00pm for 7.15pm.
The meeting concluded at 9.15pm.
