Minutes of the Management Committee
Meeting of Swale Seniors Forum at Swale CVS
10.00 am on Thursday 4th June 2015
Present: Chris White (CW), Dorothy Newlove (DN), Jean Spain (JS), David Spurling (DS), Victor Wise (VW), Eileen Holden (EH), Brian Lewis (BL), Maria Cardoso (minute taker)
- Chair’s Welcome and Apologies:
Apologies: John Greenhill, Joyce Foy, Bernie Smith, Julia Watling and Bill Ronan
- Minutes of the meeting held on 9th April 2015
AGM minutes given out and agreed by those present
- Matters Arising
CW advised that Internet Banking is now up and running.
CW advised that JW had contacted the Pensioners Forum enquiring about insurance needs for SSF and has been informed that each venues’ insurance is sufficient for when we hold events but if there is an external event, insurance would be required.
CW said the Parliamentary candidates meeting held on 16th April 2015, it was thought that the event was good, along with favourable publicity, attendance and, more importantly excellent questions.
- Chairman’s/Financial Report
CW stated that monies from Kent County Council had been received (£1,202) and paid into the SSF account, monies out for British Legion Wreath £50, venue hire/lunches and an audit (£30) have been the only deductions. It was decided that some of the monies be spent on new leaflets and a pop-up banner so a publicity meeting has been arranged for these to be designed.
CW was pleased that the AGM went well and that the mayor attended. There was also good response from those who attended. CW stated she is pleased at the favourable response of new member, John Greenhill, at the AGM and has since received a letter with more information and he will endeavour to do more over the next year.
EH suggested that there has been a lack of transport offered to those who do not live local or who find it hard to get to the AGM and open meetings. It was thought that the best and cheapest option would be to use the Volunteer Car Scheme if anyone required it. Eileen has also offered to help with transport from Sheppey should anyone need it.
- Publicity Materials
Sub group will be meeting is 9th July 2015. To be discussed are the new leaflets and a pop-up banner. It is thought that a banner would be a good way to promote the group at events where appropriate. The email address also need confirming and updating.
- Any Other Business
Regeneration
The bus stop in the High Street has now been reduced in length to accommodate deliveries to local businesses. However, if buses are not able to pull in to the pavement properly then they are not able to lower their access step. There is also an issue with the prospect of a new Starbucks being proposed in the former Evans shop there is also concern of the amount of pedestrian access to along that side of the road. It has also been noted that the Friday market will be moving into the High Street which will further impede pedestrian/disabled access.
It was suggested that contact be made with the body controlling the regeneration plans (KCC, SBC, Highways) to put these concerns to in the hope they are considered when planning is taking place. CW proposes to contact Bill Ronan for direction.
Also suggested was that perhaps the SSF be invited to represent the public on the board of the Transport Board by way of a consultative group
CW asked if the group would welcome a visit from the Regeneration committee to explain the up-coming changes and even suggest SSF be used as a consultative forum for public opinion.
CW awaits a reply to her letter sent last week with regards to parking on pavements. DN highlighted that pavement access was still a problem for those with disabilities. DN also highlighted that residents parking permits are being sold not non-residents and are being abused by workers who have few affordable places to park in town. It was also been mentioned that there are only 3 long term car parks, and one of these, which is currently used by train commuters, is to be built on under the new regeneration plans thus limiting the parking places more.
DN suggested that members should take on some of the tasks normally assigned to JW. She will start by phoning Faversham Train Station to ensure the lift is working.
JW has received an email from the DWP
CW asked if members would like an invite extended to Susan Hughes, Swale’s Older Persons Champion at SBC. CW will contact her in due course.
CW would like to propose that members are sent, along with the newsletter, an ‘Issues and Ideas’ questionnaire to allow them to put forward their own ideas (wants, meeting agendas, outings, social media, signposting,etc) as to what they would like to group to focus on. This is see how the group would like to go forward and perhaps give an alternative setting for a meeting such as e.g. Royal British Legion or Tenterden’s Steam Railway to encourage more members to attend.
EH would like to propose that a commemorative gesture is done yearly for all three areas, i.e. Remembrance Day, and not just the one-off events. It was thought it would be a good idea to donate funds for another wreath to celebrate the end of all wars in 2017. It was said that there is a minimum donation of £10 but, an £18 wreath goes directly to Royal British Legion for ex-servicemen to make the wreaths.
DN mentioned that the Church Hall, in the Alexander Centre vicinity, would be a good cheaper alternative venue in future.
JW has contacted Chalkwell Coaches regarding hardcopy timetables who said that ‘Printed timetables are now widelyavailable’ and these can now be found in libraries, hospitals, etc
VW pointed out that more and more councils are introducing mobile phone payments instead of coins for parking and he feels, as he doesn’t use a mobile phone, that he and other like him will be unable to park in town for much longer. CW has suggested that a letter be sent to Parking Control at SBC to ensure that it does not become an issue in Swale. CW to action
DN says there were a number of people who have requested copies of the newsletter who have not received it (Bill Ronan, Anne Bellsworthy and David Law particularly). They seem to not be on the mailing list. JW to check list and update as necessary.
CW has stated that Minutes being added to the website is currently in progress.
JS mentioned that there is a concern with the Lifeline service when BT lines are down. She proposes to do more research into the problem. JS would like this issue to be raised at the next CCG meeting but in the meantime CW will ask Ken Pugh the Swale Borough Council cabinet member for health his thoughts.
JS had become aware that the Hearing Aid service would be leaving Memorial Hospital at the end of June with no plans to resume elsewhere. However, it seems that the Memorial Hospital has now backtracked and the service will remain for the time being.
EH stated that members should have been made aware of the Mayor’s attendance at the AGM and someone should have been delegated to chaperone her as EH felt she was left alone too much. It was decided, that in the future, the Mayor or anyone with importance, appropriate arrangements would be made in advance.
- Date and time of Next Meetings:
Next Publicity Meeting: Thursday 9th July 2015 12.00 to 1.00pm (including sandwiches)
Next Committee Meeting: Thursday 9th July 2015 1.00pm to 3.00pm both meetings at Swale CVS
Please note change of times for these meetings
Open Meeting: Thursday 23rd July 2015 – Alexander Centre, Faversham 10.30pm – 12.30pm
Pensions and Benefits Event
Open Meeting: Thursday 17th September 2015 – Castle Connections, Queenborough
10.30pm – 12.30pm
with a talk from the Queenborough Harbour Master
The meeting was followed by a light lunch to thank all committee members as the meeting had taken place in UK Volunteers Week
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