Present

Steve Ayers (Minutes)
John Lerpiniere
Tricia Marcouse
Alan Stevens (Treasurer)

Paul Forrest-Jameson (BTCV)

Apologies: Judith Oliver, Kit Brownlee, Dave Booth, Dave Kenny, Maryanne Thomas, Jenny Cottee

Minutes of Last Meeting & Matters Arising
Publicity poster to be produced by Judith Oliver and passed to Alan for onward distribution to RVA - ongoing

News & Update
Greater Reading Environment Network: Met 23rd September, ECONET were represented. Their purpose is to support RVA and co-ordinate volunteer activity. Funded by RBC and government funding.

CROW: Good attendance at all events. Coppicing started. Have linked-up with Sara Kopp at Caversham Court and will assist with green roofing and hedging amongst other activities. There is a full programme of work through to March.

Mapledurham: Events start in October. Quite a few trees are down following wet weather and high winds in July. Glades need to be cleared of undergrowth to admit more light.

Tricia reported on RUWG: Have commented on Station Hill redevelopment, specifically on energy efficiency, planting to break the view from the Thames. The Black Redstart planned site has been reduced by 50%!

Bad News! The SE Structure plans show 7500 houses required in the Kennett Valley. This equates to the Prudential plan which impinges on the flood plain.

Green Park plans include a railway line/terminus together with housing, primary school and commercial buildings.

The Wokingham plans include development of the Summerleaze/Sandford Park Airfield area adjacent to the Loddon. A huge distribution centre is proposed with some housing and public green space. This would open-up important wildlife areas which currently have restricted access.

Kings Meadow: Proposals raised at Woodlands & Waterways in August produced by Carolyn Jenkins. Suggestion is to "improve" the looks of the area along Napier Road which is currently deemed unsightly! Willow planting would be moved, a tree avenue planted and create a flood area - all as part of compensation for the Amersham Road allotment loss. Some of the site is contaminated (old gas works infill). A play area near the swimming pool is coming soon! CROW will be willow cutting on 5th December.

Paul reported on BTCV activity: Recruitment commencing 'next week' to fill various vacancies. Paul handed out the activity programme for Autumn 2007. There is money available in support of Green Pioneers (16 -25 yr old) suggested that £15 per head might be available for all newly recruited Green Pioneers. A slow trickle of volunteer enquiries are coming in and being referred to suitable organisations. Tricia questioned the potential for BTCV to link with Duke of Edinburgh awards as there was currently no involvement other than at Gold level. Whilst this is a good idea no way forward was proposed.

Health & Safety
Risk Assessments continue to be the responsibility of group leaders. No issues had arisen.

Accounts
Current balance is £3268. A total of £810 spent this year on tools, expenses and administration. Planned spend was website £50, insurance £500 and £150 expenses. Income for the year was £500 RBC grant, £25 task income (£150 to be invoiced/waiting payment) and £87 interest. Year end balance predicted as £2900. RBC grant application for 2008 has been submitted.

Tools & Toolstore
£580 spent on new tools as follows:

Additional tools bag			11
Gloves x24			33
Saw blade			5
Replacement loppers			54
Brushing hooks (for Waterloo Meadows)			161
To Mike Cox for brush cutter	200
Additional blades for brush cutter	42
Lock and chain	10		252
Shears			15
Bill hook			25
Sundry items			24
Total			£580

The range of tools has been rationalised with many items discarded. Following a tools day the lock-up is now well organised. The tool inventory needs to be updated in preparation for the new insurance. Alan Stevens is the key holder.

Publicity
By agreement of the meeting tabards are off the agenda! SA offered to cost vinyl banners that could be set-up at each event with something like "ECONET working here today".

Woodlands Day 2008
Following reappraisal of the heavy work load that this entails, it has been decided NOT to go ahead. A number of smaller events throughout the year will be planned.

AOB
Rescue: ECONET as a group do not get involved but individuals sometimes do. AS had an invite to the recent meeting but it was at too short notice. BTCV may get involved but there are no pans as yet. JL suggested that an ECONET event could take place on the same date and be incorporated into Rescue.

BBC Wild Week: CROW will be at Caversham court on 24th October, and a Fungus Foray is being held at Clayfield on the 22nd October.

Breathing Spaces website has been updated to show volunteering opportunites at Clayfield, McIlroy's and Mapledurham.

Date of Next Meeting
Monday 3rd March 2008, Parks Department Offices, Prospect Park at 19:30