Item

Details

1

Apologies for Absencewere received from Nick Hutton-Penman and Rosemary Beeson.

2

Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 23^rdJuly 2009 were agreed.

3

Matters Arising from the above Meeting

Item 4: Treasurer’s Report - Peter Marchant had seen Rosemary Beeson.

Item 9: Steering Box – Richard Taylor is waiting to get the box from John Hardy.

4

Treasurer’s Report

Rosemary Prior presented the Treasurer’s Report. She circulated the Income & Expenditure Account (I&E) for the Junior Section. She apologised for the absence of the I&E for the main accounts, but she still had a few items to transfer on to her system. The total amounts were, however, included. A donation of £250 had been received from the executors of Bob Cole’s estate.

The Commodore thanked Rosemary.

5

Membership

Karen Sadler presented the latest Membership Report. There were two new applications for membership, which were approved:

Other changes were noted, eg change of address and resignations. The death of John Benson, a Life Member, was reported. It was agreed to send a letter of condolence to his widow, referring to his good work for the Club over many years.

Following reminder letters sent in August, there were still 41 outstanding subscriptions. We examined the list that Karen had circulated, and decided what follow-up action was needed in certain cases.

Karen asked about the re-print of the Club Rules that was discussed at an earlier meeting. John Hardy had produced an electronic copy and Peter Marchant agreed to produce this in A5 format.

6

Correspondence

Jenni Blunden reported on two e-mails from the RYA. One concerned their “Club-of-the-Year” award, with a £6,000 prize. We agreed that it was worth having a go. The other advertised stand space at the Volvo Dinghy Show in March 2010.

Rosemary Prior requested that a letter of thanks is sent to Sue Lis, for her invaluable help with catering during Burnham Week, and to Priors Boatyard for renovating the bench. Jenni Blunden said that she had written to all who had made a contribution to the Club since the fire, whether by money or in kind.

We also discussed offers of storage containers that would be needed when the lease of the CEFAS facilities ends at the end of the month.

7

Land Purchase

The Commodore up-dated us on the purchase of land from CEFAS. This was almost complete with the end of the month as the target date.

The ownership of land has to be vested in the Trustees. Following the deaths of Bob Cole and Murray Prior, we were two trustees short of our complement. Rosemary Prior and Jonathan Tucker (a former trustee) had been approached and were willing to act in this capacity. Following a vote, proposed by Mike Gibson and seconded by Alf Reynolds, both were appointed unanimously, with immediate effect.

8

Re-building

The Commodore reported that the insurance company seemed to have changed its stance, and had tentatively agreed to take on the job of repairing the Clubhouse (instead of a cash settlement), and were expected to appoint a contractor within the next few weeks, with work commencing in October. Completion is envisaged by February 2010. The repair would comply with the current building regulations.

This meant the Building Committee could concentrate on the extension. It was a remote possibility that this work could be done in tandem with the repair. We hoped to be able to submit a planning application within the next month. Karen Sadler circulated preliminary drawings.

Rosemary Prior said that EDF, the electricity company, were to disconnect the supply next week and would provide a facility for the builders to connect to.

The Commodore confirmed that we were not paying rates for the clubhouse since the date of the fire.

9

Fundraising

Rosemary Prior reported that John Saunders was investigating sources of grants. We had a lengthy discussion on how we should approach our members for funds. It was agreed that a letter over the Commodore’s name should be sent, enclosing Karen’s draft drawings as an example of our aims. An estimate of the cost would be provided, and members canvassed how each would like to contribute – as agreed at the EGM.

The Fundraising Committee’s next meeting is Wednesday 23^rdSeptember.

10

Reports from the Sub-committees

Sailing:Colin Blanks thanked the Crouch Yacht Club for their assistance. All course and flag boards have been put in the portacabin. He said that feedback from the competitors was that the courses set this year were “brilliant”.

Peter Marchant reported that the club came a very creditable 2^ndin the HMS St Mathew Cup.

JCC:Rosemary Prior reported that Burnham Week (BW) entries were up on last year. The BW website design was still in the process of being rebuilt. Colin Blanks said that there is a meeting of RACE on 2^ndOctober. In view of the poor dinghy entries and the problems experienced this year, especially with most entries being made “on the day”, we discussed how this could be addressed and agreed to give it further thought.

The Commodore congratulated the JCC on its efforts overall.

Pontoon:In response to a question from Karen Sadler, John Hardy said that all necessary work on the pontoon had been done. Jenni Blunden voiced her concerns about gaps between the hammerhead and the plastic section; and under the guard rails round the posts. We discussed these concerns. Solutions would be to put mesh round the guard rails and rubber “mats” over the pontoon sections.

Dinghy & Car Parks:The fence near to the fire hydrant needs to be altered to allow easy access by the fire brigade.

House:Nothing to report.

Social:The Prizegiving Dinner is on the 3^rdOctober, in the Crouch Yacht Club. As John & Margaret Mellard will be away during the week prior to it, Jennie Blunden agreed to be the contact for any bookings, etc. John Whittingdale, MP, is the Guest Speaker. There is a Chilli Night on the 26^thSeptember, but, due to no suitable venue, there will be no Christmas Party this year.

All Burnham Week social events had been a success. Our Cocktail Party had been judged to be the best one of the Week.

Juniors:The Junior Regatta and prizegiving had been a success. It was hoped to present the trophies to those winners unable to receive them on the day, at the Prizegiving Dinner on the 3^rdOctober.

Karen Sadler said the Robin Mapes has, unfortunately, had to stand down as a Friday evening helper. His valuable contribution to the Club over many years was noted.

11

Any Other Business

None

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Date of Next Meeting - Thursday 19^thNovember at 7.30pm in the Crouch Yacht Club.