Post date: Mar 02, 2016 4:52:24 PM
NORTH CHELMSFORD COMMUNITY TRUST (NCCT)
MINUTES OF THE AGM, HELD ON
16TH SEPTEMBER 2015, AT ST ANDREW’S CHURCH
Members present
Trustees: Cllr Stephen Robinson (Chair), Cllr Jude Deakin, Rev. Paul Greenland, Jill Smith-Hughes (Minutes).
There were eight other members present. (See signed attendance sheet with contact numbers.)
Stephen welcomed everyone to the meeting, the NCCT’s first AGM since its founding.
Chair’s Report.
Stephen expressed thanks to Lynne Foster who had worked hard as the Trust's Secretary, but who had had to resign due to other commitments.
72 people had been emailed about the Trust and, of these, more than 40 had paid their subscriptions.
The original motivation in the creation of the Trust had been the future of the St Peter’s site and the wish to provide better community facilities in the area. As there is no Parish Council locally, this is a vehicle to channel these interests in order to influence Council plans.
The last 12 months had seen basic administration tasks completed, the longest jobs being the setting up of a bank account and achieving charitable status.
There was no firm news re. the school site, as Essex County Council (ECC) had again deferred a decision, since they were considering SEN provision in terms of capacity and location, here or elsewhere. Stephen had met with planners at ECC and at CCC (Chelmsford City Council) The CCC planning department told him that the planning brief had not changed, except for the fact that Thriftwood College and other groups now occupy the old school’s South Block.
The site could be put to various uses, including housing, playgrounds and open spaces. It all depends on the ECC Education department which will report at the beginning of 2016. It would take 6 months to go through the planning applications and 18 months to build, so it would be September 2018 before a special school could open there.
Questions from the floor.
Once the school had wanted to buy 2 houses in Highfield Road, but the owners had refused to sell – won’t access still be a problem? Stephen replied that access for pedestrians and cars would be an issue from all sides of the site. Highfield Road could be a pedestrian access. However, there was no decision yet and this would determine the layout of the site.
Will the Trust take on other issues? Stephen thought that it could potentially, but its main focus was the St Peter’s site. There were many groups very keen to have community facilities.
What influence can this small group have? Paul explained that part of the sale of the land for building would be the requirement to provide community use such as a Community Centre. The Trust could put in a bid for this and, being a legal body, it is ready to be ahead of the game and to access funds. Stephen added that we are a registered charity and could hope to receive £300,000 from the developer in the absence of a parish council. We are not talking about a school, but an area to house other activities, ie a Hub. Communities are short of such spaces. Other possibilities would be premises for more vocational training and start up units. Jude pointed out that the residents of Moulsham Lodge had taken over the old Police Station and now it was thriving as a Community Hub. Stephen had contacted the Police and Crime Commissioner about making similar use of the former Police Station in Salerno Way and he awaited a reply.
Stephen said it was essential to do a Needs Survey to put to the CCC planning department, but that we needed funds to do this.
Two ladies asked about parking locally and were encouraged to speak with the Councillors present.
Stephen encouraged everyone that there should be more to report on next year.
Treasurer’s Report. Paul reported that the Trust had a CAF bank account. £207.18 had come in from subscriptions and there was a loan of £1,000 to help in these early stages, but this would eventually be repaid. For a group this size, no independent auditor would be required. Brian Winder kindly offered his services if ever the group needed an auditor. Paul informed that we were also set up with a website and a BT MyDonate account, which would enable donations online.
Election of Officers / Trustees. Stephen asked if anyone present would like to join the Officers/Trustees. No-one did and so it was proposed from the floor that the four existing Officers/Trustees be re-elected and this was agreed unanimously.
Stephen thanked everyone for their attendance and encouraged them to pay their next annual subscription of £5. He closed the meeting at 8.05p.m.