MINUTES OF THE 26th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE EMMER GREEN RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION, HELD AT THE GRACE CHAPEL, EMMER GREEN ON 28th APRIL 2010

The meeting was chaired by Mrs Margaret Ormonde, and 54 others were present.

1. APOLOGIES
Sadie Cooke, Sheilah Higginson, Dorothy Colverson, Owen Jewiss, Brenda Cabon, Elaine Cooney, Mr and Mrs Childs, Carol Gibson.

2. THE MINUTES OF THE 25th AGM held on the 28th April 2009 had been circulated and it was agreed they were an accurate record of the proceedings. They were signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING
None

4. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Copies of her report had already been circulated to all members and they were also available on the Association’s website www.egra.co.uk . The following lists the topics where additional comments were noted:

The highlight of last year had been the 25th anniversary party held in May. There were photos on the display boards and soon they will be on the EGRA website.

Planning and Infrastructure
EGRA encourages local democracy within neighbourhoods and can offer guidance and support to those involved. It will itself become involved when wider issues are involved. EGRA as a body responded to RBC’s Development Management and Site Allocations Documents. We continue to monitor the situation in South Oxfordshire. We also appreciate being able to share information provided by CADRA

Outings
A guided tour of Caversham Court Gardens has been arranged for Friday 14th May at 7.00pm. Margaret was to be contacted to reserve places.

Footpath
EGRA has been proactive in keeping local footpaths open and currently await the final decision on the one between Russet Glade and Jefferson Close.

Seats
Action is imminent to renovate seats near the pond and hopefully they will be restored by the summer.

Traffic
The most contentious issue of last year was the cut in the anticlockwise 24 bus loop round Courtenay Drive. There has been no satisfactory solution to this, it is missed by a lot of people and will remain under review by the Committee.

Proposals to close Gravel Hill were tested last summer. EGRA ran an email survey with a good response and opinion was really divided. The closure is now permanent.

Part of Kidmore End Road will be one way from May 10th due to gas pipe relaying.

Police
EGRA has been pleased to support the re-launch Upper Caversham Neighbourhood Action Group meetings. The response so far has been very positive. The next meeting is at Highdown School on May 18th.

The Association’s role is to share information, promote relevant meetings and events. It can respond to things and also encourage members to respond individually. Generally things work better if we build up relationships and work with the Council and other organisations. Feedback is always welcome. We also continue to work closely with neighbouring organisations, such as CADRA. The elected local Councillors were also thanked for all the work they put in.

Membership is at an all time record of over 500 households. A lot of EGRA information is freely available on the website, but EGRA tackles issues it represents the voices of members. Members present were asked to encourage friends or neighbours to join.

5. ACCOUNTS AND TREASURER’S REPORT
Bill Harper briefly introduced the accounts for 2009. Administrative expenses remained modest, a substantial insurance charge had been unavoidable, but the normal running costs were being covered by income from Members. Non-recurring costs had been incurred on the 25th anniversary celebrations and on reprinting leaflets. There was a substantial balance of funds in hand, and the Committee is always open to suggestions on how this might be used for worthwhile local projects.
He expressed thanks to Janette Thorpe for taking on the role of examiner of the accounts.

Adoption of the accounts.
Proposer: Barry Prior
Seconder: Jill Verran

6. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE, OFFICERS AND AUDITOR
The Chairman thanked all those who have helped during the past year both on and off the committee.
Existing committee members have agreed to continue for the next year:
Margaret Ormonde Chair, Barry Prior –Vice Chairman, Carol Gibson – Minute Secretary, Bill Harper - Treasurer, Jill Verran - Membership Secretary
Other existing committee members, Vera Bodman, Cathi Edwards and Jenny Leach, who joined the team during the year.
Extra help, both on and off the committee, is always valued.
Thanks were recorded for Clive Ormonde who operates our website.

Proposer: Bob Cruikshank
Seconder: Jon Barclay
Agreed unanimously

Barry Prior expressed thanks on behalf of members to the Chairman for all her hard work over the last year.

7. MEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS
It was proposed to increase the single year membership to £1.50, but retain the £5 subscription for a 5 year period.

Proposer Jill Verran
Seconder Diana Hartrup
Agreed unanimously

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Trees
The future safeguarding of a group of mature oak trees near the old Peppard Road was raised. The Chairman responded to say the existence of Tree Preservation Orders would be investigated.

Keeping Roads open in Bad Weather
The RBS policy on clearing Bus routes in snow conditions was queried.
(The plans being made for the future were outlined in the subsequent presentation)

Planned Temporary One-Way System for Kidmore End Road
The re-routing of traffic planned for May was likely to increase the traffic seeking to enter Peppard Road from Courtenay Drive. Would temporary lights be provided?
(In the presentation the potential problem was acknowledged, but no special measures were proposed.)

9. PRESENTATIONS

1. Pat Baxter – RBC Transport Strategy Manager – described a number of the major planning and transport issues currently before the Borough Council, with particular reference to North Reading and the new station development.
2. Paul Newman – RailTrack Project Manager – explained the aims, design features and timetable for the planned redevelopment of Reading Station, the changes to the track system and to the relocation of depot facilities.