Minutes of the 2008
Annual General
Meeting
The Annual General Meeting was held in the Worcester Room of the University of Worcester University on Sunday 22nd June 2008.
The Branch Chairman, Frank Hill, welcomed the 38 members and guests to our 73rd AGM. Our first visit to the University was a notable event and warranted a break with tradition. The meeting would begin with a talk by Dr. Nick Evans, Director of the Department of Rural Research.
Dr. Evans welcomed CPRE to the University. He described the history of the site from its wartime origins to a College of Higher Education, and the improvements that had been made since its upgrading to a University. The old hospital site at Castle Street was now being transformed into another university campus. Dr Evans then described some of the research projects undertaken by his department, which were closely relevant to CPRE. His talk was warmly received.
The AGM was then held, with the President, Lord Sandys, in the chair.
1. Apologies had been received from 10 members, the names of whom were read out by the Secretary, Marie Brown. Two donations had been received, totalling £210.
2. The Minutes of the AGM held at Spetchley Park on 24th June 2007 were approved.
3. There were no matters arising.
4. The Annual Report for June 2007 to May 2008 was then presented by the Chairman, Frank Hill.
We were in the middle of another major housing review, set in motion every 10 to 15 years due to our growing population. England had been too successful over the past 200 years at drawing in people from within the British Isles, from Europe and from the old Empire. It was remarkable that the five-fold increase in population during that time, combined with railways, roads, industrial centres, airports, logistic centres, etc., had left so much of the landscape of England unscathed. Nevertheless, 42 square
miles of the Green Belt had been lost since 1997, and further chunks of Green Belt, along with large areas of countryside, were again coming under attack.
Worcestershire was expected to find room for at least 36,600 houses between 2006 and 2026. It was uncertain where they might be located, chiefly due to the designation of Redditch and Worcester as growth points, which would require substantial overflow into neighbouring districts. Up to 70% of new houses would have to be built on greenfield sites. An eco-town at Throckmorton had been excluded from the government's shortlist of 15 sites, but Long Marston, on the border with Warwickshire, remained one of
the preferred locations.
We were awaiting the results of a government-led study to increase the housing target to over 40,000. This review was delaying the timetable set for consultations and for the Examination in Public, so that it would be 2010 before final decisions could be considered and adopted.
Protest groups had begun to be formed in several parts of the county, notably near Worcester and Malvern. We should support these groups but had to take care not to favour one rather than another. We would continue to put most of our effort into helping our Regional CPRE group, which was pressing for a reduction in the overall number of houses throughout the West Midlands to nearer 285,000.
Economics had been at work to the detriment of country life, where we had seen food producers forced into accepting minimal profit margins by some supermarkets, and the quality of life threatened by closure of hospitals, schools, shops, Post Offices and pubs. Mobility was impaired by poor public transport and high fuel prices. We were working with our national and regional groups to oppose these cuts.
We had taken part in the launch of One Planet Worcester at the Guild Hall in Worcester in March. The group is encouraging Worcester residents and businesses to conserve energy, reduce waste and buy local produce.
The first presentation of the CPRE Cup had been made to Annalea Beard at Worcester University in October. The cup is awarded to the third-year student who writes an original paper on an Environment topic.
The Branch Executive was at its smallest since the formation of CPRE Worcestershire in 1935. That this should have coincided with changes in the planning system and the housing review had added to the workload of monitoring and commenting on planning applications. This important work was still being carried out by Peter King (Bromsgrove), Val Kendrick (Redditch) and Frank Hill (Malvern Hills). We needed more volunteers, particularly in Wyre Forest and Wychavon, to take an active interest in planning and
visit sites where inappropriate developments were proposed.
Our finances were stronger than ever since our formation in 1935. This was in part due to the continued support of 580 members, an increase in the proportion of the annual subscription given to Branches, and reduced expenditure. This would help us to support campaigns to protect the county from the most detrimental proposals.
The resignation of Stephen Gowenlock in the autumn of 2007 would no doubt impact on the number of new members. Our appreciation of his efforts over three years was recorded. In order to counter this loss, we were resuming participation at local shows after a break of nearly ten years and would be taking our tent, tables and displays to Wichenford, Rock and Broadway later this summer. These shows provoked a good deal of interest in CPRE.
The Chairman ended by thanking all those who had contributed to the work of the Branch and the President and Vice Presidents for their advice and support. Lord Sandys proposed acceptance of the report, which was seconded by David Hawkins.
5. The Accounts for Jan to Dec 2007, as published in the Annual Report, were presented by the Treasurer, Chris Roberts. The end-of-year surplus had been higher than expected. Apart from increased receipts from subscriptions, the interest in the Deposit fund had more than doubled and we had received several donations, including a contribution from the Circumnavigation event of just over £1,000 and another £250 from Go for Green.
Chris proposed acceptance of his report, which was seconded by Ray Ellis. Lord Sandys thanked` him for his continued contribution.
6. Election of Officers of the Branch
The Annual Report contained the names of the nominated officers. There had been no other nominations. Each nominee was proposed, seconded and approved by the members present.
President Lord Sandys, DL
Proposed by David Burlingham, Seconded by Frank Hill
Vice President David Burlingham
Proposed by David Hawkins, Seconded by Frank Hill
Vice President Ann Stallard
Proposed by Muriel Jeffs, Seconded by David Hawkins
Chairman Frank Hill
Proposed by Lord Sandys, Seconded by Ray Ellis
Vice Chairman David Hawkins
Proposed by Ann Stallard, Seconded by Val Kendrick
The election of additional Trustees was then made (the Chairman and Vice Chairman are automatically trustees). Those elected were:
Ray Ellis
Proposed by Peter King, Seconded by Muriel Jeffs
Peter King
Proposed by Frank Hill, Seconded by Ray Ellis
David Wlllour
Proposed by David Hawkins, Seconded by Ray Ellis
The Chairman ended by thanking all those who had contributed to the work of the Branch and the President and Vice Presidents for their advice and support. Lord Sandys proposed acceptance of the report, which was seconded by David Hawkins.
7. Sir John Willison Award
This was awarded to Rosemary Roberts, who had organised the Best Kept Village and Best Kept Churchyard competitions (in alternate years) since 1993. These often attracted 30 to 40 entries. She also organised the judging, with up to 40 judges required for the preliminary rounds, and made arrangements for the prize-giving ceremonies.
8. Any Other Business
With no notification of any further matters, Lord Sandys closed the AGM.
After a break for refreshments, Peter Langley, Acting Chairman of the Regional CPRE group, gave a talk on the work of the Regional Group and the current state of the Regional Spatial Strategy, and handed out forms which could be used as a guide for each member to respond to the public consultation on the housing proposals.
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