Meeting:
June 2024

Present

• John Gilbody (JG) - Chair
• Tracey Gilbody (TG) - Secretary
• Wayne Roddis (WR) - Member
• Kev Hayes (KH) - Member

Apologies

• Nigel Griffiths (NG) - Events lead
• Lisa Needham (LN) - Member
• Phil Steer (PS) - Member

Additional notes

Minutes from previous meeting agreed as accurate and correct, no outstanding actions from previous meeting.

Treasury

• Cash in bank: £15528.89
• Cash in float: £ 617.56
• Break down of allotted funds
• Community Garden: £9920.50
• Lottery Fund: £4290
• WGRA: £1863.95

Plans for the money for the community garden are £3000 to have the grass screed installed as part of the planning application and to pay for the legal fees for the transfer of the land from the current landowner to WGRA.

JG informed the meeting that the landowner had also offered to transfer 16 acres of woodland at the rear for the pumping station to WGRA this would be included in legal transfer with the area used for the community garden.

Actions

• JG to prepare full accounts prior to next meeting.

Community Grow

The main work has now been completed and all the raised beds are being used as either private beds or community beds. This has been very successful and the feedback so far very positive, the official opening was on Saturday 1st June and was well attended.

We are looking into purchasing a 1000 litter water container to supplement the water butts already on site. At present we are having to buy water and the amount ordered is more than can be stored in the water butts, having a further 1000l storage will make the purchasing of water a more financially viable process.

KH suggested research be carried out in relation to apply for an award for the community garden as this opens doors for future grants and finding.

Actions

• WR to look into this

Website

This is ongoing and PS has made progress with it. However further content is required in relation to financial data, images for Eco Kids, community garden and events along with content for "Where's the nearest..?" and "Help I need a..."

Actions

• JG to supply financial data
• TG to supply images for Eco kids and Community grow
• JG to post on WGRA Facebook page for local business details to be included on page
• Volunteer needed to supply details for "Where’s the nearest..?"

RMG update

There has been an issue recently as a company other than Northfield have been cutting the grass throughout the development and nobody appears to know who has arranged this.

Meeting and walk around organised on the 14/6/24 with JG, WR and RMG - this to be discussed.

Paul Kitterick had raised the issue with JG again in relation to problems he has identified with the RMG accounts. A discussion took place in relation this being discussed in the past and this not being in the remit of WGRA. No one within WGRA is an accountant and the cost of employing a forensic accountant to look at the issue could be very high, with very little refund for each household.

JG suggested to PK that he could address this with RMG on behalf of all the residents as this is his area of expertise. PK has asked for this to be raised as an agenda item at the AGM, however, this can’t be allowed to dominate the meeting.

Directorship

KH updated the meeting that the current director has some obligations to fulfill prior to handing over to the resident directors, this is not a quick process but is ongoing. KH will provide an update to the residents at the AGM on the 10th June in relation to this.

Lottery money

Prior to the meeting NG had asked about the sports week at the cricket club that had not taken place last year. It was discussed that this was subsidised with the money from the Lottery grant and had been overseen by Luke Streeting as treasurer.

There is some money left in the account, however this needs to be used by the end of July 2024. This would require a volunteer to manage the arrangements, advertise to the wider community (as this is not just money for WG) along with allocating spaces, arranging activities other than just sports (this was the negative feedback from the previous weeks).

The other options to explore for this money is to contact the lottery fund and make enquiries re using money for other projects on the development or returning the unspent funds.

Actions

• JG to contact NG to see if willing to take this on and complete prior to August 2024

AGM

AGM to take place on Monday 10th June 2024 7pm at the cricket club. Agenda as follows:

• Welcome, introductions and apologies
• Chair's annual report
• Treasurer's report
• Election of members. All positions are available. Chair is happy to remain in post, WR has agreed to stand for Vice Chair, secretary happy to remain unless any other volunteer available. Treasurers post available.
• Progress made with 3-year plan
• Annual plan
• RMG accounts
• Any other business