3 -26th September 2022, Perivale Library

Management Committee Meeting

26^th September 2022, Perivale Library 7.00pm

MINUTES

Present: David Posnett (Chair), Lorraine Leckenby (Treasurer and CRT Ranger), Sheila Rowing (Volunteer), Anton Georgiou (Councillor, Alperton ward), Jags Sanghera (Berkeley Homes St George’s), Anir Karki (Volunteer), Helen Brice (Boater, Canal Watch), Liz Henderson (Secretary)

In attendance: Gareth Royall (CRT Volunteer leader), Aysha Raza (Councillor, Central Greenford ward)

Item

Action

1.

Introductions

Gareth from CRT, Aysha from Ealing and Jags from Berkeley Homes had not attended previously and were welcomed.

2.

Apologies

Paul Findlay, Fiona Dickie and Katie from Berkeley Homes Alperton

3.

Minutes of last meeting and matters arising, to include:

Minutes of last meeting approved – to be put on FB

· IWA Contact:

DP and HB attended a online IWA meeting. Ealing council and CRT are spending £1m on canal, including money from mayor’s office and 106 money. (Berkeley homes already contributed). Continue the relationship – DP/HB to maintain contact. (Also, please note, Mikk Bradley from IWA has been very supportive, attending previous meetings)

Adelaide to Bulls Bridge – event by Gareth 8^th October 2022 from Adelaide yard. Problem with magnet fishing (illegal)

· Finalise strap line – “Connecting by Water” was agreed

· Visit to temple

Navratri festival coming up – 10 days – Anton’s going to Garba event – with the Diu community on Saturday. We need to speak to Upendra Solanki, chair of the community. Anton to talk about the environment at the event

Do a video – in Gujarati – to be put on a WhatsApp group for Diwali 24^th – Wednesday 19^th , with Loz and Liz and anyone else who can make it.

Event on FB

DP

DP/HB/MB

Add event to FB -DP

AG to organise when appropriate

AG to coordinate

DP

4.

Membership numbers /Money

Nearly 5,000 in FB group – 40% are active within the group. Most people in the south/London.

£107.65 in the bank. Could have a donate button on the website? £2.00 is a one off, Decision to make this a one off payment was perhaps a mistake, but it was pointed out that the admin involved for chasing subs was deemed not worth the effort when decision was made.

(Fund raising needs to be Agenda item for AGM)

Costs - £10 to renew website and £4 a month for email address – needs to be paid this year and David should be reimbursed for last year. We could just about afford this.

Question posed – is it worth having the website? (for decision next meeting or at AGM)

PLI – David paid it last year – had to have it to use the boat to support the group, but due soon for this year, so there is an urgent need to raise money.

Discussion - how do we raise money?

· Sweatshirts can be sold if we can get the logo replaced – AOB agenda item 1.

· Appeal on FB and on the website – pay through Paypal, donate button. Link into equipment needs as well. (note: FB post has been done by David, with no results so far)

· Who funded the big pick? – see if there is mileage In looking at getting money from them

· Leaflets to hand out to boaters/passers-by.

(Additional idea – direct appeal to paid up members – Liz has their email addresses)

LH

LH

LL

DP

DP

LL

LH/DP/LL to discuss wording. LH to action

5

Reports of fundraising and other activities

Freshwater Foundation Bid

Paul has prepared a submission for the Freshwater Foundation. Thanks were expressed for his hard work – a really well written bid.

Paul had asked for success targets to be discussed.

A reduction in number of bags – by volume, rather than numbers? (under the theory if there are fewer bags, there’s less rubbish, therefore message is coming across)

Increase in active membership (how would we measure this?)

Increased engagement with local communities - eg delivery of leaflets, attendance at community events, meeting community leaders.

Joint projects with CRT/IWA/Live Aboard litter pickers (FB) all the other groups eg Hillingdon Litter pickers.

Targets agreed but need to be quantified

LH /PF to fine tune

6.

Ideas for future activities

· Working with Alperton St George Grand Union

· Paradise fields, working with Lager Can

Development at Southall discussed. Canal mural project – not yet vandalised! Litter has reduced. No direct actions suggested.

Decommissioned boat at Alperton is to be an education centre.

Work with developers so that staff can use their volunteer time to help on that stretch. (Unfortunately they do this in working time, not Saturdays). Long term include the residents – need to keep in touch to ensure that we can develop relationship from the start.

This has till now been a Lager Can/Friends of Horsenden project – Loz has volunteered with LC to establish a more positive relationship going forward. Volunteering at Paradise Fields will be personal rather than FoGUC sponsored.

Visit to Veolia recycling centre to be arranged

JS to consider how to take this forward

Katie

AR

7.

AOB

1. CRT have offered unused sweatshirt which we would like but will need to cover the CRT logos. They are good quality and we can sell at a small profit. Loz in touch with printer for sample to see how much it would be.

2. Working with CRT

· Gareth now has 4 proper hoops for rubbish bags to install – looking at work needed by White bridge, planting, cutting back.

· Gave us needle boxes

· Gareth hoping for a new boat which may have a recycling platform.

· A vote of appreciation for Gareth – his support has replaced the need for regular meetings with CRT.

3. River Crane connecting to grand Union – needs clearing – Berkeley will look at creating access

LL to chase

JS

8.

Date of next meeting and AGM

Mid-January to prepare for AGM early February. Could be at Greenford Quay

Proposed dates:

16^th January 2023 for next Committee meeting to decide on agenda for AGM

AGM date – week beginning 30^th January 2023

AS to confirm if OK at Greenford Quay

All to confirm to LH if available

All to advise any days they can’t do (Last time it was a Wednesday.)