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MINUTES of the
AGM held on 21 April 2001 at the Railway Institute, Queen
Street, York, commencing at 2.30pm (Secretary's note: the meeting had been arranged for the usual venue, the Guildhall in York, but this was found to be locked and unavailable on arrival, despite a written booking being made. Members Pam Ashton and Peter Latarche arranged an alternative room at the Railway Institute, at no notice: the meeting passed a vote of thanks to them, and the Secretary has written to the Caretaker of the RI thanking him for his kind co-operation.) Present: 2. Apologies: It was mentioned at this point that the Countryside Agency should be invited to future AGMs, and this was noted by the Secretary.
3. Minutes of Last
Meeting 4. Chairman's Annual Report The chairman reflected on the year past, and the many positive things that members of the TAR had been involved with. His main points were: Now that we have funding promised from the CA via T2000, we have to be formally constituted, report properly, have an elected committee and a bank account. In the past year we have made significant input into the government regional office, and into the region's various local transport plans, into multi-modal studies and the government's national ten-year transport plan. We have voiced constructive opposition to the burgeoning number of road schemes, and contributed to the debate about rail re-franchises. We have been most active in the campaigns to stop building on the trackbed of the former Malton-Pickering railway, for re-opening the railway through Otley and for the protection of the Skipton-Colne rail trackbed. We have also made comments about the proposed A65 road "improvement" schemes to the north west of Skipton, and we have been gratified that the Leeds Supertram scheme, into which members had much input in earlier years, has finally received the government's go-ahead. For the coming year, we must move ahead and be even more active, especially in the light of any policy changes which might follow the imminent General Election.
3. Report and Accounts The Chairman's Annual Report was accepted by the meeting, nem con, as was the Financial Report which showed a surplus for the year of £3.11p.
4. Constitution The Chairman asked for comments on the Draft YHTAR constitution, which had been circulated prior to the meeting. It was agreed that the YHTAR should cover "the Yorkshire and The Humber Region as defined from time to time by the DETR", and thus includes the area formerly know as South Humberside.A lively debate ensued at which a number of points were raised and their various merits discussed. Finally, the YHTAR Constitution was agreed, nem con: the Chairman is to issue a revised version, to be checked by Ray Wilkes, before it is formally published. ACTION: C Speakman/R Wilkes.
5. Election of Honourary Officers The following were elected to serve as Officers of the Round Table for the coming year: Chairman: Colin Speakman Vice Chairlady: Pam Ashton Committee Members: Jim Burton; Graham Collett (Hon. Treasurer); Anthony Rae; Brian Whitty; Peter Davies Anna Semlyen and Anne Robinson were to be contacted to see if they would accept an invitation to join the committee, which would generally "meet" using e-mail.
6. Appointment of Co-ordinator Steve Broadbent's offer of taking over from Dorian Speakman, on similar financial terms, was agreed. Steve is to be paid a £1000 a year fee, nominally covering 2 days per month, plus all expenses, nominally set at £500. It was also agreed that if there is additional initial work to be done in the first few weeks in helping to formally establish the TAR, then Steve would receive additional payments for this extra as approved by the Chairman and Secretary. Actions placed on the co-ordinator were: To liaise with T2000 (Denise Carlo) about what was required to enable the Countryside Agency funding to be transferred to YHTAR and to ascertain what was needed by way of Tasks Lists and T2000's expectations of us. To open a suitable bank account, with safeguards by way of multiple signatures for cheques. To keep basic accounts, to be overseen and formalised by Graham Collett. To arrange (with the Chairman and others) a meeting with the Countryside Agency in Leeds to assess what they wish to see from us by way of output.
7. Membership Subscriptions It was agreed that groups or individuals wanting to become members of YHTAR could now do so, and that an annual subscription fee would be levied. Annual Group membership and Individual membership was to be set at £5.00. Steve Broadbent is to write to all members on the current mailing list inviting subscriptions, and donations. ACTION: Steve Broadbent Steve Broadbent will also keep membership records.
8. Any Other Business Ray Wilkes raised the consultants' questionnaire issued regarding the A65 road schemes, and asked that as many people as possible respond to it, as it seems greatly biased in favour of the scheme. Jim Burton noted that the questionnaire made no reference to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, despite the fact that the road runs alongside the Park boundary. Anthony Rae mentioned he had been involved with A66 Scotch Corner-Penrith road studies and suggested the national TAR should co-operate in such studies and employ a consultant to ensure TAR views were properly put across, especially in challenging the results of government or local authority safety studies. Pam Ashton suggested a list of cost-effective consultants should be compiled, for all aspects. The South/West Yorkshire Multi-Modal Study (SWYMMS) was said to be moving ahead with a strong road bias and more campaigning was needed. Members were very conscious of the move towards more road building, contrary to previous government policy. Brian Whitty mentioned the A63 road schemes to the west of Hull, which were heading for a public enquiry.Peter Davies talked of a Yorkshire Rail study, into which TAR input would be needed. A Regional Aviation Environment Forum had been established to campaign on aviation issues, especially in the light of the proposal to develop the former Finningley airfield into a major airport, and the general rapid rise in air traffic. The need to upgrade our web site with, for example, links to other sites of relevance, was agreed and Anthony Rae agreed to contact the web mistress, Anna Semlyen, to this effect. ACTION: Anthony Rae.
9. Next General Meeting The next General Meeting of the YHTAR was set for 29 September 2001 and the venue has since been confirmed as the Railway Institute, Queen Street, York, at 2.00pm
SRB April 24, 2001. |