Post date: Jan 25, 2015 11:49:58 PM
Minutes of the North Chelmsford Community Trust Meeting 22/10/2014
In attendance: Cllr Stephen Robinson (Chair) Rev Paul Greenland (Treasurer) Lynne Foster (Secretary) Cllr Jude Deakin
Apologies Jill Smith Hughes
Treasurer's Report
PG explained that without an Inland Revenue number we can’t open a bank account, without a bank account we can’t get an Inland Revenue registration number, we also needed 3 signatures for the Inland Revenue. This had caused delays, however, despite these difficulties CAF had agreed to process our application for a bank account which should be open soon.
Chairman’s report
Site Update: Education estates strategy had been to cabinet yesterday, however no decision re St Peters on any other specific sites. They had discussed new rather than existing sites. Report back from consultants expected this week, may get decision in December.
SR is to meet with CHP architects onsite in near future. They had produced revised draft plans and had written to confirm CHPs interest in working with NCCT. SR had asked staff at The CHP Hub in Melbourne Avenue to identify gaps in provision and was lobbying officers to gain their support for community use and social housing on site rather than selling it to the highest bidder.
Grants: SR had submitted an expression of interest to the Essex Community Foundation Thriving 3rd Sector’ fund (to pay for the survey / letter to residents and to help write a business plan for the trust). In the medium to long term we could also apply for larger amounts to help with funding the building. SR undertook to submit 2 other applications to relevant grant making bodies by the end of October.
Funding possibilities were discussed, including applying to create a parish council for North West or North Chelmsford. This would need 7% of local voters (approx 1350 people) to sign a request for the City Council to consider an application. This was part of a larger potential re-organisation of parishes in the city. Becoming an Industrial and Provident Society (like a non-profit company) and issuing shares and seeking individual donations was also discussed.
Member subs
It was agreed that we needed to record payments on the ‘Mailchimp’ membership list. LVF agreed to update for current members. Once the bank account is open JD and JSH will commence asking members for payment of their membership donation. 1 person had already donated more than the minimum amount of £5.
Paypal could be used , but we could accept cheques if people were wary of using paypal.