Car Parks and Garages 6 Council Meeting

COUNCIL at BIRMINGHAM

Report of a meeting held on Wednesday, 15th September, 1971

Present The following members attended: J. Beer, J. Birks, J. W. Frid, G. H. Harvey, W. Hetherington, J. W. Hewison, R. P. Holdaway, K. C. Hughes, T. Kerr, H. R. MelIor, C. T. Peacock, C. R. Peskett, R. E. J. Roden, J. Short, B. W. C. Thacker.

Apologies Apologies were received from E. V. Beeby, P. Cartwright, C. L. Davids, D. Hall. Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the previous meeting (circulated) were accepted. Matters Arising There were no matters arising. Correspondence The Hon. Secretary reported that he had been in correspondence with H. Clarkson (Dudley) Limited regarding the Association's insurance for the Chairman's Badge of Office and libel cover. He reported that a quotation of £50.05 had been accepted and this gave Hbel cover of £7,500 to the Hon. Editor. A second quotatJion for the isurance of the Chairman's Badge of Office was still being negotiated. Correspondence was also received from the British Syphon Co. Ltd. giving information on a Depth Meter manufactured by this company.

HONORARY TREASURER'S REPORT The Hon. Treasurer 'reported that there was a satisfactory balance in the Association's accounts. There was some discussion regarding the payment of expenses to officers attending Council meetings and attendance to other Association business and it was proposed by the Hon. Treasurer, seconded by the Hon. Secretary that expenses shaH be paid in accordance with the Scheme of Conditions of Service, National Joint Council for Local Authorities, including car allowance where it is more economical and convenient to use a car. This was agreed by the meeting and the Hon. Treasurer's report was accepted. HONORARY EDITOR'S REPORT The Hon. Editor reported that arrangements would have to be made to increase the number of Bulletins printed. This was brought about by the gradual increase in membership which had now almost reached the number of copies printed, consequently very few back numbers were available if required.

Branch Secretaries were asked to forward minutes of meetings as soon as possible and the Hon. Editor further asked that if papers or talks were given at meetings then perhaps arrangements could be made so that these might be printed in the BuHetin.

Stocks of the Association's Code of Practice are held jointly by Mr. R. P. Holdaway and the Hon. Editor and there is a slow but steady demand for these. (proposed and seconded, that the Association increase the number of Bulletins at print and that the Hon. Editor be left to decide the number in accordance with variation in membership).

At the Hon. Editor's request, the meeting confirmed a price of 38p per copy for extra or back copies of the Bulletin.

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN'S REPORTS (a) Finance and General Purposes

A meeting of this Committee was held at the Civic

Centre, Birmingham on Thursday, 15th July, 1971,a report of which follows: A long and detaHed discussion took place on the future position of the Association in the light of proposed Local Government re-organisation. It was agreed that no direct representation on behalf of the Association could be made to the various authorities concerned with any Local Government reorganisation. Further, it was agreed that "because this

Committee had no information as to the future administration of petroleum legislation in any Local Government re-organisation, it was impossible to take to

Council any specific recommendations regarding the future of the Association". The Committee discussed the two possibilities which appeared to present grounds for discussion, namely that the administration of the Petroleum Acts will either rest with (a) first-tier authorities, or (b) secondtier authorities. Discussing the implications of the first alternative, it was agreed that an Association with the same terms of reference as that which exists now would not be a viable proposition due to the relatively small number of local authorities involved. The Committee further felt, if it was decided that petroleum legislation should go to the first tier authorities, the Assaciation should immediately commence a run-down on its finances and activities. In the event of

the second alternative in the proposed re-organisation of Local Government, it was felt by the Committee that the need for an Association such as exists now would continue. It felt also that in this event the Association could carry on in its present form administered by its present officers, until such time as it were expedient and necessary to hand over the reins to new officers. The finances of the Association were looked at carefully and it was decided that although the present position was healthy it should be looked at again at the end of the financial year. At the suggestion of the Vice-Chairman, it was agreed that the 1972 Annual General Meeting should be held at Shrewsbury. It was suggested that this should take up two days as well as the business meeting and should include two papers to be given by persons well versed in the petroleum field. It was agreed that this matter should be further discussed at the next full Council meeting. . Arrangements for the next meeting of this Comm-

Ittee were leift until a later date.

Mter considerable discussion the Committee accepted this report but it was proposed by H. R. MelIor, seconded by G. H. Harvey that the Committee keep the whole subject of Local Government re-organisation under review and meet as necessary to discuss items which they may consider to be of particular importance to the Association.

It was further agreed that at the suggestion of the ViceChairman the 1972 Annual General Meeting should be held at and should occupy two days; the business meetmg to be supplemented by two papers to be given by suitable persons in the petroleum field. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Hon. Secretary were instructed to make the necessary arrangements for this meeting. Constitution and Rules No meeting of this Committee had been held since the last Council meeting. In his absence the Hon. Secretary reported that the Chairman of this Committee hoped to bring to the next Council meeting an item under Branch Rules. Education and Publications Committee A meeting of this Committee was held at the Fire Brigade Headquarters, York on 10th August, 1971, a report of which follows:

Preliminary Statement of Account The Committee considered a preliminary statement of account for the 1971 Seminar and it was agreed that the final statement be submitted direct to the next meeting of the Council.

Arrangements for 1972 Seminar (a) Date and Venue

The Secretary reported that he had made a provisional booking and it was RESOLVED that the Secretary be authorised to confirm lhe reservation at Derwent

CoHege, University of York, for the dates Monday, 2nd

October to Thursday, 4th October, 1972. Members to arrive between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. on 2nd October (afternoon tea will be available) and the Seminar to end after lunch on 5th October.

(b) Lectures

The Committee discussed timing, subjects and lecturers and the Hon. Secretary and Hon. Editor were authorised to make the necessary approaches.

(c) Fee

As the University had not yet advised their charges the

Committee were unaible to fix a fee.

(d) Publicity

In addition to full details to be published in the

Bulletin, it was agreed that the Secretary should notify all Branch Secretaries so that they could inform Branch members.

(e) Closing Date for Applications

RESOLVED that the closing date for the submission of names from persons wishing to attend be 31st July, 1972 after which date, and if found necessary, the

Committee Chairman and the Hon. Secretary should act as a Selection Sub-Committee. The Committee would emphasise that this Seminar is primarily intended for senior peroleum officers and others of similar status.

(f) Local Liaison Officer

RESOLVED that Mr. H. E. Fletcher, Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, York, be invited to act as the Local Liaison Officer.

(g) Official Attendance

RESOLVED that the following attend the Seminar to undertake official duties: the Chairman, Vice-Chairman,

Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Editor and the

Chairman of Education and Publ'ications Committee.

Ch) Secretarial Arrangements

RESOLVED that the Hon. Secretary be authorised to visit the University for the making of arrangements and to incur organisati'on expenses including clerical assistance.

This report was accepted by the meeting together with final balance sheet for the Advanced Seminar which was submitted by the Hon. Secretary.

Reference and Legal Commlttee The Chairman of this Committee reported that he, his Committee and the Hon. Secretary had dealt with a considerable number of queries raised by various members and that these, together with the Committee's considered answers would. iIf of value, be included in a future 'Bulletin' supplement. The Chairman further reported that his Committee has four major items still before it. These are as follows:

1. Revised Electrical Certificate

The draft of this approved by the Council was criticised by the electrical adviser who was requested to attend this Council meeting to put his objections.