metDecember04

Notes of hfcyclists meeting,
Tuesday 14 December 2004, 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT: John Griffiths, John Smits, Mark Taylor, Jonathan Guerney, Bernard Bunting, Jane Knight.

APOLOGIES: Rob Cope, Roger de Freitas, Paul Alexander, Bill Ogden, Louanne Tranchel, Mo Morgan.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH COUNCIL

Discussion on emails that John G had sent to the leader of the Council. Bernard considered that comments that John G had made were damaging to our relations with the Council. John pointed out that as a result of these communications we now have restored regular meetings with Chris Bainbridge and we are now included in CRIM/CRISP process for LCN+ routes. For about a year we had been left out of any effective input into the discussions over the Broadway. John G agreed to discuss beforehand any future possibly sensitive communications with other members of the management committee.

John G had received emails from Bryan Naylor, the chair of BGOP [Better Government for Older People], and from Brian Paver of the Hammersmith Society supporting his campaign for better consultation with the Council.

POSITION OF TREASURER

Discussion on the position of treasurer. Bernard says he will resign. John S is prepared to be treasurer if elected.

John S and John G have been looking at the bank statements and our receipts for the last year and they tally perfectly.

DISCUSSION ON THE CONSTITUTION

John G pointed out that the matter of group constitutions is under discussion at the headquarters. There is the problem of whether a group is part of the LCC or not. Details on this not yet resolved by Head Office.

If it is part of the LCC it is covered by LCC insurance [£1M third party] on rides. The groups funds would be considered part of the LCC's assets. Our phrasing, copied from the constitution of other groups, of "an independent branch" is ambiguous. If rides we organise are listed on the LCC website then they are definitely considered as LCC rides and covered by insurance.

Some confusion over phrase "should normally be a member of the LCC". John G Interprets as not being a requirement. Jane thought that it should not be a requirement to be an LCC member to be on management committee as we need any activists we can gather, who hopefully will become members.

Jonathan would look at constitution and see if he would recommend any changes to our constitution.

It was decided to have the next meeting as an Extraordinary General Meeting where changes could be made. The date would be 11 January 2005.

LCC INSURANCE

Q: If on a group ride the leader is not an LCC member, what happens to the insurance?
A: The LCC and local group are still covered. However the ride leader will not be covered personally by LCC insurance.

CHANGING END OF FINANCIAL YEAR TO 31 DECEMBER

It was agreed to change the year-end to fit in with LCC year-end.

BANK SIGNEES

A signee would undertake to repay the bank should the funds in the bank fall below zero. As we do not have an overdraft facility this should not happen. Discussion of possible threats to signees.

Jane suggested changing from Barclays to a more ethical bank. John G said we need to sort out present change of bank mandate, signees first. One of the present signees is not available, and this way changes can be made.

ANY RIDES OVER THE COMING WEEKS

Mark Taylor was keen to be involved with rides.
We hope to be involved in the H&F Festival 2005. John has suggested to organisers that we have Sunday rides on 3. 10, 17 April for after Easter.
Perhaps we can arrange some rides after Christmas.

EXPENSES

John Had expenses of £5.98 and £15.26 . One bottle of wine remaining in cellars.

DATE FOR NEXT MEETING [EGM]

Tuesday 11 January 2005 at 7.30pm

John Griffiths [chair/co-ordinator]
020 7371 1290 / 07789 095 748
john@truefeelings.com
OUR WEBSITE www.hfcyclists.org.uk