Reminder: 2023 AGM Minutes

Below are the Minutes from our last AGM meeting, to compare with the reports of this year’s AGM.

1. Welcome and Apologies:
   • Steph welcomed everyone to the meeting and gave the apology of Dino Skeete.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting:
   • The Minutes of the previous meeting (AGM 21/11/12) were agreed to be a true and accurate record.
3. Chair’s Report:
   • Steph attended the Partnership Meeting where she met the new Parks Development officer – Merydydd Jones – who she gave a tour of the park to.
   • Outstanding issues and updates:
   • The pergola still needs replacing; we need to explore potential funding.
   • Play-park fence: funding is in place and we are pressing for its replacement.
   • Circular Bench: has been replaced.
   • Compost Bags: available in the yard.
   • Court 3 guttering: a section is in need of repair.
   • Children’s Centre Garden: the fact that it is open to be visited, worked in and for produce to be harvested, needs to be publicised.
   • Court 4: a foot-scraper is needed to prevent gravel coming onto the courts.
4. Treasurer’s Report
   • We are still awaiting the opening of the bank account with Metro Bank to whom further details of the AGM will be sent. Will will confirm the amount from the closure of the HSBC account and allotment fees; £37 has been collected from the sale of Tony’s books and £50 from sports events. Evan reported that Lambeth need documents in relation to data privacy and a risk assessment in relation to the playpark in order to release funds into our account; he will follow through on that.
5. Communications
   • Andreas reported on legacy issues in regard to modifying the design of the website and suggested that a new domain by set up to improve access and design; this was agreed. It was further agreed to post the Annual Report PPT by way of a Newsletter. Andreas also suggested using Google Drive as a location for resources such as photos, logos, past minutes. Nigel suggested that Google Drive could also be used as a location for officers to post reports prior to meetings. Andreas will action these outcomes.
6. Horticulture
   • Tom and others have been active in the park. New hedging of whips (over 80 in total) has been planted to infill areas around Court 4, the dog-free zone and the St Simon & St Jude entrance. Good Gym have also been active on our behalf. Tom pointed out that an hour of Good Gym’s help is equivalent to about a day of a single person’s work. The courts have been largely kept free of rubbish and leaves. Good Gym have committed to helping into the Springtime. The park does not have a dedicated worker since the loss of Colin. Steph suggested that we publicise the role of locals in actively maintaining the park (planting, litter etc).
7. Upcoming Activities
   • There was a discussion about upcoming dates and activities, including in regard to 8^th May, designated National Volunteer Day as part of the Coronation events. Tony suggested we encourage volunteering on that day, and was supported by Will and Nigel. Tom was less enthusiastic about short-term volunteering. The discussion focussed on what could usefully be done by volunteers for a day and Gerry suggested that activities could be undertaken in the PRNG. He will suggest possible activities and Steph will liaise with Nature Vibes about their availability to support something fun and educational. Rosena will explore a tennis weekend in May, focussed around either the LTA Big Tennis weekend or the Youth Tournament.
8. Mural
   • Step reported that we have around £12k for a mural and that Lambeth would like us to devise a brief. We discussed whether to suggest a work over several walls of a single piece. It was felt that a single piece, in a prominent position (perhaps at the top of the part near the main gate wall adjacent to Court 3), that has some longevity would be ideal. Rosena suggested themes around history, activities, wildlife (suggest as the stag beetles found locally) or all of these. It was felt that we should allow the artist scope. We also want to involve local people – including children – in design and making and would want the artist to lead that participation. Steph will draw-up a brief along these lines.
9. Allotments
   • Christine Mukasa submitted the following update on behalf of the allotment group:
   • The next meeting will take place in Mid-Feb, where bee keeping will be discussed
   • GoodGym are thanked for their work in clearing the areas for the compose bays. 
   • The allotment group have been asked to be kept in the loop on any future work by Goodgym so we can support each other collaboratively 
   • The group will be better placed to maintain the allotments once the bank account is opened, so that we can secure new equipment
10. Meeting Dates (2023)
    • 7.30 Mondays:
    • 27^th April – likely in St Margaret’s Hub (depending on cost)
    • 19^th June
    • 11^th September20^th November AGM