Old Colwyn East Residents Association
Wednesday 13th June 2007 at Methodist Church, Wynn Avenue, Old Colwyn
Minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Those Present. All those present, were asked to sign the attendance register.
Only members who reside within our stated boundaries are eligible to vote on any issues at this meeting.
Apologies for absence. – David Jones MP., Darren Millar AM., CBM Mike Williams. Town Councillors Chris and Viv Perry.
Minutes of the last AGM meeting on 14th June 2006 were read to the meeting by the secretary. The minute was proposed as a true record of that meeting by Peter Lawrence, seconded by Mark Chatham, all showed in favour.
Annual report. Produced and presented to the meeting by the secretary. This report was unanimously accepted by the meeting as a record of the committees’ work during the year 2006 / 7.
The accounts were produced by the Treasurer Edgar Whitley. There were no questions the accounts were accepted.
Chair’s remarks. ~ the Chair thanked the vice-chair for his work during the year. He thanked the secretary for his work on association business and also together with his wife and other volunteers for the work in the St John’s Church Community Garden. He thanked the treasurer and the committee for their helpfulness and regularity of attendance. Also to members and their wives who have hosted the committee meetings. He thanked the County Councillors for their assistance over the four years of the association.
He paid tribute to Roger Parry who had done good work as a member of the Committee he had resigned from committee because of personal reasons but continues to keep his eyes and ears open for the good of the community.
He thanked the police for their efforts and attendance at meetings through the year.
He said that he has gathered from speaking to an officer recently, that we have not got a problem with the police, as in our local policing team. The problem is at the top, the officer had told him that in the summer months, when it is very busy on a Saturday night, there are two cars covering Llandudno, one in Conwy and one in Llanrwst. If they make arrests and they have to go to St Asaph, it takes two to three hours to process the prisoner and that area is not covered at all, only by a Sergeant.
He said that there are big problems in such a set-up which we need to highlight. It is unfair to the public; it is unfair to the officers who are doing the job, due to the policy of their superior officers.
He said that he feels that we have been very lucky in our Local Policing Team and with the new Inspector, they have helped the situation locally and Sgt Kelly has certainly got his heart in the right place.
In most organisations, leadership normally comes from the top but in North Wales Police he said the officer he had spoken to had told him, “I am not working for the public, I am working for North Wales Police”
The Chair said that in his opinion the police force as a body needs to refocus on their core business working for the public, doing what they should be doing.
He thanked the public for attending the meetings during the year and over the four years and concluded his remarks by saying that over the previous bank holiday he and his wife had taken the Monday off and gone for a tour around Old Colwyn. They had been to places they had not previously been and it was excellent. There are some lovely gardens in the area; he referred to Cliff Prout present at the meeting and other people who worked hard to make the areas look good. He said that although he is a Glan Conwy man he is more than happy to live in Old Colwyn, “We are very lucky” he said.
“When people take the trouble to look around and appreciate what is happening, it is excellent”
Election of committee. In accordance with the constitution, every year, the committee resign and will be available for re-election. Procedurally, the issue is that we require nine members for the committee and we have eight at present. Mrs Janet Gardner had put herself forward for election and was thanked for doing so. She had been nominated by David Curtis, Seconded by Mark Chatham and was available for election to the committee. Nomination papers have been made available and last month members were asked to consider offering their services as committee members. Only the one nomination has been received.
Christine Curtis proposed that the committee be re-elected and Mrs Janet Gardner be elected to the committee. This was seconded by Mrs Ellie Chatham and all showed in favour.
Committee members are Emyr Owen: Richard Poynton: Brian Cossey (Town Council): Mark Chatham: Edgar Whitley: Janet Gardner: David Curtis: David Cowans County Borough Council: Peter Lawrence:
Election of officers. The present incumbents had indicated willingness, if required to continue. Chair Emyr Owen, Vice Chair Richard Poynton, Treasurer Edgar Whitley Secretary David Curtis. Councillor Cowans proposed that the officers be re-elected as shown. This was seconded by Miss Joyce Vernon. All showed in favour.
Speaker ~ Mr Tim Verga-Birtles from Making Tracks which is a not for profit organisation in Colwyn Bay linked with Network Rail. The organisation had worked in Old Colwyn recently on a community project and there had been much positive feedback about the job they had done rebuilding part of a damaged wall in Station Road, Old Colwyn. Tim was welcomed by the Chair and gave a talk about the organisation which is subject of a separate minute. At the end, Tim was presented with a cheque for £25 made out to Making Tracks with grateful thanks for a job well done.
Any other business~
Waste ground, Endlesleigh Road, Old Colwyn~ Councillor Cowans said that at a Planning Meeting that day, he and Councillor Brian Cossey had sought to put pressure on Mr Gizzi, the owner of the land In question by imposition of a condition on planning permission through the Planning Department.
The only way to secure a clear up of the site is through Public Protection Dept he said. The owner had permission to demolish what remains and to erect ten private homes. It is hoped that this may come to fruition soon.
Close AGM
The Chair thanked everyone for attending. Next AGM Meeting will be organised in June 2008
