Ipswich Branch Commitee Minutes 20th April 2012

INLAND WATERWAYS ASSOCIATION IPSWICH BRANCH Committee Meeting

Date: Friday, 20 April 2012 Venue: ‘The Chequers’, Great Blakenham.

Present: Chard Wadley (Chairman), Charles Stride (Secretary), Spencer Greystrong (Treasurer), Brian Holt (PRO), Diana Holt (Social), Brian Cornell (Pickerel), Gerry Crease and Carolyn Wadley (Minutes).

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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Lewis Tyler and Clive Saville.

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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 3 February 2012.

The Chairman duly signed the minutes for 3 February 2012 as being a true record of the proceedings.

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MATTERS ARISING NOT INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA. Charles Stride said he had confirmed with IWA HQ that other Branch emails would not be sent direct to our Branch members.

Charles asked if our minutes are sent out to the Secretaries of other branches within the region.

The minute’s secretary sends to Peterborough and Cambridge and will update the mailing list to include Milton Keynes and Northampton.

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COMMITTEE REPORTS Chairman Chard stated that he was unable to attend the recent Region meeting on 17 April 2012 but brought to the committee’s attention various items: The Northampton Branch are now part of Eastern Region and this was approved at the Region Meeting. Cambridge Branch is now called the Great Ouse Branch.

The Chairman of NavCom had confirmed that it was not certain that the EA Waterways would be transferred to the Canal and River Trust in 2014/15.

The IWA reported that membership was not growing and this had been the subject of considerable debate and Jo Gilbertson had produced a paper detailing his suggestions which will be distributed to the branches for comment.

Chard had received the Hereward magazine for spring 2012.

Chard had received Norfolk County Council’s transport strategy which he passed to Brian Holt.

Regarding the free books on offer from HO, Chard asked if we should apply as we do have some events coming up where they could be of use. This was agreed.

Secretary Charles reported on Items received and circulated: Peterborough minutes for February, March and April 2012.

Cambridge minutes for their AGM and February 2012.

Lichfield minutes – Extracts from their branch on the National Festival and IWA Set up.

RAG Minutes for January 2012.

Ipswich River strategy Document.

Southern Canal Association Report.

Received from IWA HO: Advice on online voting for Canal Trustees.

Website details for CRT/IWA Workshop Output held in February.

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Advice on Broads Green Boating Event on 20 May 2012, Charles asked if we should advise members and it was agreed to add this to the web site.

Various Bulletins.

Planning Items Received and circulated: Waveney Local Development Framework regarding Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood and Kirkley Waterfront Development Brief, ongoing consultation during this year. Brian Holt stated that these are all on the seaward side.

Waveney District Council’s views sought on affordable housing - The Affordable Housing Draft Supplementary Planning Document sets out the Council's approach to the provision of affordable housing in conjunction with new housing developments in the District.

St Edmundsbury Borough Council Local Development Framework – Publication of Preferred Options Bury St Edmunds Vision 2031, Haverhill Vision 2031 and Rural Areas Vision 2031.

Beccles Yacht Station – Change of use to long term moorings due to lack of use by visitors. It was noted that we have no objections to this change.

Mid Suffolk LDC has submitted their Core Strategy Review to the Secretary of State.

(Information Only).

Other Items: Details of the New Waveney Trust had been circulated (this will also be in Anglia Cuttings).

Treasurer Spencer circulated the accounts report and gave an explanation of various items. Spencer mentioned the large amount which was transferred from the Charity Aid account to our current account, due to the fact that our account is paying more interest, and stated that this proved a good move with a recent interest payment of £24.68.

Regarding the email from HO reference ‘Branch Balances’, Spencer explained that the request is not from HO but from the Charity Commission. Spencer continued saying that they wish to know how we intend to spend the money, therefore a business plan is required. Various ideas were put forward and discussed. Chard then gave a report on what was discussed at the special meeting of the RGT yesterday. He said that the Trust has decided to go ahead and arrange a meeting with the Mid Suffolk District Council. The idea is now to finish the lock at Pipps Ford and Baylham and in the future to concentrate on getting the rights of navigation between Needham Market and Baylham for a trip boat. This will require new lock gates at Bosmere, Creeting and Pipps Ford, which will require a great deal of money to be raised. This was discussed and it is thought that now there is a plan for the RGT it is possible for us to donate money to this project. It was suggested that we could also support other developments of other Trusts within the area of the Branch. Following this discussion it was agreed a document will be drafted and sent to HO. Public Relations Officer Brian Holt reported that all speakers for the 2012/13 season are now on the Branch web site.

Social Secretary Diana reported that numbers attending the AGM were 26 with 38 attended the annual dinner.

The Hall has been booked for the 2012/13 season and Louise is happy for us to have Fish and Chips at the January meeting. Diana continued saying that we have a full complement of speakers for the coming season and a couple of possible speakers for next season.

12 October 2012 Peter Hesketh- World Circumnavigation 9 November 2012 Stuart Wilson - The Aylsham Navigation 14 December 2012 Mike Davies - Essex and Suffolk Boat Yards 11 January 2013 Fish and Chip Supper and Social evening 8 February 2013 Branch AGM.

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For next season we have Julia Jones owner of the boat Peter Duck which was Arthur Ransome’s boat. Jeff Harrison wildlife photographer who has spent a lot of time photographing Kingfishers on the Broads. Diana is also trying to get someone to talk about mills, water or wind, but so far without any luck.

Brian Cornell said that the John Constable will be finished by September and he is giving a talk to the RST. He then offered the possibility of a talk, about the John Constable, to the Branch.

The date for the Annual Dinner is to be 9 March 2013.

Editor, Anglian Cuttings Charles said that the next edition will be sent out in June and he requires items for inclusion to be sent to him by 28 May 2012.

Brian Cornell has promised a report, for Anglian Cuttings, on the John Constable.

Membership Secretary Ipswich Branch memberships figures are as follow: February 2012 – 487 Members, 320 Memberships March 2012 – 502 Members, 332 Memberships.

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REPORTS ON OTHER BODIES River Gipping Trust Chard reported on the recent meeting which was specifically held to discuss the future plans for the River Gipping.

Spencer gave an update on the work at Pipps Ford and then explained that Martin is to seek agreement from the EA for us to dig out the original river course that went round the Lock to the weir and the land owner is happy for this to go ahead. Regarding the sluice gates at Baylham, Spencer said that the land owner has paid for the timber, from the Onians Trust, and the wood is now being cut to size.

Spencer explained that the Trust is in discussions with the local council at Bramford regarding the possibility of holding a trail boat festival sometime in the future.

Broads Authority Forum Brian started his report by telling the committee about a killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus Villosus, which has been found in the Broads. Due to the restoration of waterways in Europe this Shrimp has been tracked across Europe and is now in the UK. Notices have been put up all over the Broads making the public aware of hygiene procedures to curb the spread. These tiny shrimps will kill and eat the young of other species.

Brian had attended a meeting of the Broads Forum on 5 April 2012.

Details had been circulated of a planning request to change visitor moorings to long term moorings at Beccles. There will not be a decision on this until next month.

Brian said he was requested to represent the EAWA on the Broads Authority Toll Review 2012 workshop, which he declined. They intend to ask the Broads Society to represent them.

Brian then received an email from David Padfield, IWA, who assumed that he would be attending the workshop on Tolls and sent through all the background information. Brian has emailed back to inform him that he would not be attending.

River Stour Trust Spencer started by explaining to the Committee his reasons for resigning as IWA representative on the RST. Brian then updated the committee on the restoration saying that Stratford is on hold and following a meeting with the EA on Tuesday the EA has agreed to help with the restoration of Flatford Lock.

A new electric boat has been purchased and named Kathleen.

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Pickerel Project Group Spencer is awaiting a reply from Sally Sharma following his request for more information on the planned joint walk along the River Gipping from Ipswich to Claydon at the end of May 2012.

East Anglian Waterways Association Spencer is to give a talk at the EAWA’s AGM on 29 April 2012 and there is to be a guided tour of Baylham Lock following the meeting.

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ANY OTHER BUSINESS Spencer asked if anyone wished to attend the EERAIC meeting on 16 June, in Peterborough, where there is to be a tour of Perkins Engines.

Spencer is hoping to attend the Southern Canals Association meeting on 6 May 2012 in Wendover.

Brian Holt asked about the IWA AGM in September which is to be held in Chelmsford, a note is to be put in Anglian Cuttings.

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NEXT MEETING Friday, 22 June 2012.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 2.35pm

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