BRANCH REPORTS

EASTERN

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Eastern Branch held at Cambridge, 5th April 1978.

Mr J.W. Frid, Chairman of the Branch, opened the meeting and thanked the eleven members and one visitor for their attendance.

APOLOGIES

Fourteen members tendered their apologies. Mr Thompson thanked the members and said that he was pleased to take office. He also thanked Mr Frid for his passed services together with the Cambridgeshire Fire Service for providing the excellent accommodation to hold our meetings.

Mr C.G. Hill proposed that Mr J.W. Frid (Cambridgeshire) be elected Vice Chairman. This was seconded by Mr J. Wright and agreed by the meeting.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

There were no minutes as this was the first A.G.M. of the Eastern Branch.

MATTERS ARISING

None.

CORRE SPONDENCE

None.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Mr Frid stressed the importance of increased membership and pleaded with members to obtain at least one new member, and then the problems of the Association would be solved. Although he was convinced of the importance of regular meetings he thought four meetings a year were too many. Mr Frid also mentioned the Instruction Courses which the Association held prior to 1974 and said that the main reason for not continuing these was the cost.

SECRETARY/TREASURER'S REPORT

Mr Brown informed the Branch that membership stood at 29. The Branch commenced with a balance of £16.02 from the Anglia Branch and with subscriptions and interest had a balance of £29.59 after minimal expenditure. Since the inaugural meeting, three meetings had been held and the arrangements were being made to set up a working party to agree a common policy on the "making safe of tanks".

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

Mr Frid proposed that Mr J. Thompson (G.L.C. Fire Brigade) be elected Chairman for the ensuing year. This was seconded by Mr Brown and the meeting agreed. Mr J.S. Crewe proposed that Mr E.B. Brown (Cambridgeshire) be elected Secretary/ Treasurer. This was seconded by Mr C.G. Hill and agreed by the meeting. Mr E.B. Brown proposed that Mr L.J. Brooks be elected Auditor. Mr Frid seconded this and the meeting agreed. Mr Thompson proposed that the Secretary should be the Branch Representative. Mr Crewe seconded this and the meeting agreed. Two members were elected to the Executive Committee. They are Mr B. Lowe, proposed by Mr Crewe and seconded by Mr J. Wright and Mr J. Wright proposed by Mr Frid and seconded by Mr C.G. Hill.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The next meeting will be held at Ipswich on 15th June 1978.

Mr Lowe raised the question whether the Working Party on disused tanks was to be representative of all Authorities within the Branch. He was informed that it was hoped that full support would be given by all Authorities.

Mr Crewe, as Editor of the Bulletin, made his regular plea for articles and other information. He especially asked for small "fillers" i.e. press cuttings etc.

OPEN DISCUSSION

Mr Crewe informed the meeting that an Electrical Contractor had refused to issue an electrical certificate for a high line pump with an Emu note acceptor which drew air from what he considered to be a Division 2 area .. Apparently the G.L.C. had adopted a Code in accordance with the proposed L.A.J.A.C. Code which differs from