Present:
Alan Stevens
Anne Latto
Dave Booth (RBC)
Dave Kenny
Jenny Cottee
John Lerpiniere
Judith Oliver (Minutes)
Kit Brownlee (Chair)
Oonagh Kelleher (BTCV)
Peter Scudamore

Apologies:
Tricia Marcouse, Steve Ayers, Chris Cliburn

Minutes of Meeting held 20th September 2010 & Matters Arising
University group have an email address which Kit will send to Alan.

The Harris Garden under auspices of Reading University Grounds Staff.

Minutes from last meeting read and passed.

News & Updates
Conserve Reading on Wednesdays (CROW) Have a full programme and good numbers of volunteers.

Mapledurham Playing Fields Looking after orchard, Dave B stated that a water supply would be installed soon.

Clayfield Copse Clearing bramble for bluebells, coppicing for bean poles and clearing young ash, Dawn Chorus Walk 1st May 4.30 am; Hoping for a drinking fountain near entrance.

Waterloo Meadows No response to Alan's email re: insurance & publicity. Dave B will talk with them re: insurance

Caversham Globe Took part in RESCUE event.

RUWG Overseeing and commenting on planning applications e.g. Pincents Lane and Green Lane near university.

BTCV Bio diversity action team busy planting trees in Reading area.

Health & Safety
BTCV can organise a 1st Aid course and/or training day for leaders. Oonagh will research.

A generic risk assessment form could be put on the website for use by all groups when necessary. Oonagh will research.

Discussion followed on need for an emergency contact list on tasks.

Accounts
Bank balance currently £3,584 (£2,249 at start of year). Since the last meeting we have spent about £900 consisting of insurance (£500), website rental (£40), tools (£70) and volunteer expenses (£280). In the same period we received £620 from the Christmas tree sale (an outstanding result thanks to Judith's efforts) and £240 in task charges. Expenditure for the year now stands at just under £1,100 whilst income is £2,350; payment of about £200 in volunteer expenses is pending while between £630 and £710 in task charges are outstanding.

It is estimated that the year will show a a substantial surplus ending with a bank balance of between £3,100 and £3,400 depending on whether any of the pending tool purchases are made or the outstanding task charges are settled.

An application for Lottery Funding to create a composting area for the Ridgeline Trust and improvements to their wild flower meadow failed.

Core funding grant from RBC which has been used to pay insurance and related costs has been ended. RBC will continue to provide tool storage free of charge. Alan has asked Dave B what monetary value RBC place on the provision of tool storage.

Alan raised issue as to whether RBC would continue to send leaders to the 'Friends of' tasks at Clayfield and McIlroy Park. Alan felt these tasks should be volunteer lead. Anne expressed concern that none of the Clayfield volunteers would take on this role. Dave B said if the situation arose, he did not envisage a problem at McIlroy Park. Oonagh said BTCV could provide leadership training if that was required.

A payment of £50 to cover the treasurer's incidental expenses was agreed.

Publicity and Events
Bean Pole Day Saturday, 30th April. Discussion on title.

Water Fest Saturday, 18th June. Econet will have a presence with BTCV.

Earley Green Fair Saturday, 6th August. Econet will have a presence with BTCV.

Tools
Some loppers reaching end of life. Lost tools also need replacing.

AOB
Bat Group interested in working in Prospect Park.

FoCC have transferred their remaining funds to Econet and will be closing their account shortly.

Date of Next Meeting (AGM)
Monday, 19th September 2011, Parks Department Offices, Prospect Park at 7.30pm.