metJanuary05

Notes of hfcyclists Extraordinary General Meeting

Tuesday 11 January 2005 , 7.30pm in the Info Centre

PRESENT: John Griffiths, Paul Alexander, Bill Ogden, Louanne Tranchel, Chris Tranchel, Jonathan Gurney, Jane Knight, Alan Rowden, Susana Moya

APOLOGIES: Alex Forrest, John Smits, Bernard Bunting, Mo Morgan.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

CONSIDERING CHANGES TO CONSTITUTION

At the last meeting we decided to clarify some terms in our constitution. John and Jonathan have sent emails to the group giving possible alterations. Jonathan had suggested more sweeping changes. Jonathan has had experience of various groups where the constitution has been called upon to sort out problems, or not, as the case may have been. After discussion the following was agreed by all.

Rules of hfcyclists

1. The name of the group shall be "hfcyclists". This document is the governing document of hfcyclists.

[rule 1 and throughout, and also applies to Equal Opportunity Policy -change name from H&F Cyclists to hfcyclists. This is to have a more unified identity with web name.]

2. hfcyclists exists to:

· encourage more people to cycle
· improve conditions for cyclists
· raise the profile of cycling

particularly in the area covered by LBHF, but not restricted to it.

[last phrase added, also to EOP. There was discussion on restricting aims more, particularly to restricting cycling to transport concerns, but not adopted. Above lifted from LCC aims]

3. hfcyclists is a local branch of the London Cycling Campaign. It inherits the objects and powers of that body from the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the LCC. In particular, hfcyclists may hold funds in designated accounts to further the above aims. Such funds may only be spent in agreement with the Chair/Co-ordinator and Treasurer of hfcyclists, subject to the financial rules agreed by the management committee of the LCC. Any cheques must be signed by at least two of the designated hfcyclists signatories. In the event of hfyclists being wound up, any remaining funds shall become the property of LCC or its successor organisations.

[changed from "independent branch" to "local branch". Gives closer perceived link with LCC and may improve insurance position - "at least two" instead of "at least two of four" to fit new bank mandate - Last sentence added]

4. Membership of hfcyclists is open to any person or organisation who shares the aims of hfcyclists. [omitting "and who should normally be a member of the LCC. " -problem interpreting the word normally - rule 6 now has new section on this - membership of the group includes LCC members in LBHF people on email list and people who come to meetings or activities. ]

5. hfcyclists shall be governed by a management committee. hfcyclists shall hold AGMs and may hold EGMs. Only these meetings shall appoint or dismiss members of the management committee or change these rules. An EGM may be called by the management committee. The management committee shall promptly call an EGM if it receives a demand for one signed by six or more members.
[introduced EGMs]

6. The management committee shall comprise the following:

· Co-ordinator (Chair)
· Secretary
· Treasurer
· Not less than two or more than seven others

The Chair/Co-ordinator must be a member of the LCC. All members of hfcyclists are encouraged to be members of the LCC

[It was felt that we want to encourage as many people as possible to be involved in our activities. Number on MC limited to 10]

7. Members of the management committee shall serve until the following AGM. Candidates will be nominated by another member and seconded by at least one other member. If more than one person is proposed, a show of hands will decide.

8. hfcyclists management committee shall meet not less than once a quarter. A meeting shall be quorate if at least 3 members of the management committee are present. All members are encouraged to take part in discussions.

9. All members may attend all meetings and vote at AGMs and EGMs after being a member for a month.
["after a month" added to avoid packing at meetings]

Adopted at the hfcyclists EGM on 11 January 2005 and replacing the rules adopted at the hfcyclists meeting on 5 November 2002.

The old constitution can be found at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/rules02.htm

and the new one at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/rules05.htm

the new EOP at
http://www.hfcyclists.org.uk/eop05.htm

APPOINTING A NEW TREASURER
John Smits was elected as treasurer
[proposer John Griffiths, seconder Louanne Tranchel]

APPOINTING NEW MC MEMBERS
Paul Alexander [prop Bill Ogden, sec John Griffiths]
Roger de Freitas [prop bill Ogden, sec Jane Knight]
were elected

So the Management committee is now

CHAIR /CO_ORDINATOR John Griffiths
TREASURER John Smits
SECRETARY Jane Knight
OTHER MEMBERS OF MC
Louanne Tranchel
Bill Ogden
Rob Cope
Paul Alexander
Roger de Freitas

APPROVING NEW BANK MANDATE
It was resolved to accept the new Bank Mandate from Barclays Bank

APPROVING BANK SIGNEES
It was agreed that the following persons shall be signatories for the hfcyclists account
John Griffiths
John Smits
Paul Alexander

WEST LONDON GREEN FESTIVAL
We have been notified that we have been offered a grant of £2,500 by Groundwork WL to run a West London Green Festival. We agreed to accept this offer. The money is normally paid 50% after the event but the organisers have agreed to pay at least 90% before the event.

It was agreed that John Griffiths should apply for a licence to use Parsons Green on 19 June for the event. [the money comes from Chelsea football club, and there are restrictions on the area where things can be held. This is the reason for going to Parsons Green rather than Furnival Gardens where it was held last year]

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT BROADWAY

On the previous day John Griffiths met with the team working on the Broadway cycle route, which runs along the north side of the Gyratory, on the pavement on the south side of the road.

The route links the bus lane coming from Olympia to the crossing in front of the Piccadilly line entrance to Hammersmith station. Section 106 money is being used for it. It was explained that an alternative route on the north side of Hammersmith road would be too expensive, as it would involve moving two kerb lines.

The decision to go for this route and spend a lot of time drawing up plans was made behind closed doors, as it were, without opportunity for input at that stage. And we are told of the latest plans less than 2 weeks before it goes to a planning meeting. Is this what the Compact says about user involvement? We are fortunate in having a meeting the day after the plans were presented. What about other concerned groups?

At that meeting John raised concerns over whether the route could cater for large numbers of cyclists. A problem might be at the area at the end of King Street, where there is the potential for cyclist /pedestrian conflict. Hopefully conflict means conflicting for space. Although this area is beyond the end of the route, John hopes it will be considered at this stage. Another problem area is the entrance to the bus station.

We did not have the latest plans at our meeting, but used very similar earlier plans.

Louanne said that pedestrians were being encouraged away from crossing the bus station entrance, being given a path inside the new bus station to take them to the precinct. She said that buses turning into the bus station were turning sharply round a blind corner. John said that pedestrians and cyclists would have to give way to the buses. The crossing point would be closer to the main road than now, which John saw as giving some difficulties. Paul said that the Highway Code states that a vehicle coming off the main road had to give way to pedestrians on a side road. Does that apply here?

Louanne also said that the crossing in front of the Piccadilly line entrance was very special as it dealt with so many pedestrians. It can be quite congested at times. At the planning meeting John asked if there is likely to be an increase of pedestrians. The projection is for pedestrian numbers to fall slightly as the WhiteCity complex comes online. If the car park next to the H&C line gets developed, then more peds.

Jonathan wondered what numbers of cyclists were being used as a guide to the design. John said that the figures the council was stating were the number cycling illegally on the pavement a couple of years ago. From memory something like 140 westbound and 20 eastbound in a 6 or 8 hour period. [ another guide line might be the number cycling westbound in the evening rush hour at Olympia - about 4 /minute from a TfL traffic count- some of these will divert onto other routes - cycling targets to triple by 2020]

Alan was very dubious about the scheme, and hoped that we could get some outside help to guide us. He suggested an article in the LCC magazine. This might be possible, but deadlines mean nothing would appear until the route was decided upon. There is a technical planning group that meets at LCC, but that next meets at on 1 February. John will write an email to one of the lcc email lists about it.

John thought the plans were reasonable for a limited numbers of cyclists, AND if they were considerate, but was wary about how it would work with increasing numbers. Louanne pointed out that you cannot rely upon a cyclist to be considerate.

Paul suggested using his camera, with video clips, to study what happens when several cyclists at a time enter the congested area. Hopefully we can do this soon. Probably this Saturday, 15 January at 10am or 11am. [contact John as given below, if you can come, to help with this experiment that the planners should have done right at the start] The reason for the rush is that the plans are going to the Traffic Management Advisory Panel on 25 January, and if we want to have any input it should be done by then.

It was agreed that John, with Louanne, would write a note giving our input, and noting our concern about how it would work with an increasing number of cyclists, to the Council.

Bernard Bunting was also at the Council planning meeting. He was very enthusiastic about the route and thought it should be given unconditional support.

ANY THING ELSE

Charlie Woods film extravaganza at Riverside studios. Tickets already selling. Films at 2pm and 4pm. For cycle racing enthusiasts.

EXPENSES
John had expenses of £8.66 for food and drinks. One bottle of wine used from cellars.

DATE FOR NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 8 February. 7.30pm PUT IN DIARY NOW PLEASE

Thereafter probably changing to first Tuesday of month

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