Tower Hamlets Wheelers AGM August 2018
Tower Hamlets Wheelers
Annual General Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, 8th August 2018 19:30
Held at Limehouse Town Hall, Commercial Road
Present: Christy, Keith, Alex, Owen, David T, Helen, Alex, Julie, Rob, Terry, Richard, Gerry, Paul Brocklehurst, John (MEOTRA)
Apologies:
1. Committee Elections
Co-ordinator - Alex and Julie. Nominated by Christy; 2nd Helen. Votes in favour = 7, Against = 1, Abstentions = 1.
Secretary - Christy. Nominated by Alex, 2nd Keith. Votes in favour = 9, Against = 1, Abstentions = 1.
Treasurer - Owen. Nominated by Alex, 2nd Helen. Votes in favour = 10, Against = 0, Abstentions = 1.
Gerry raised an issue that Julie was currently living outside the borough in Hackney prior to the vote for co-ordinator. It was decided amongst the group to put it to a vote and refer to LCC central office if an issue.
2. Review of the Year
Each person in the group was given a chance to review the previous year and talk about what they thought the best bits were, as well as the things that could be improved going forward.
Rob – Personal highlight was the glamour ride, which was epic! Moving forward could do with more volunteers and help for rides.
Terry – The return of the Afterworker rides were the highlight of the year, as well as having a presence at a lot of local events. Mentioned that the LCC AGM was coming up in October.
Richard – Christmas party was the highlight along with the money it raised towards campaigning within the borough. Looking forward to the Air Quality Meeting on 2nd October and putting the rather ignored logic of reducing motor vehicle traffic forward as a solution.
Paul – Support for the manifesto from local politicians was hugely encouraging for the coming year as a means of holding them to account.
Keith – Workshops were very well attended throughout the year. Put on several community events which again had a positive engagement with the local community. Also put on 7 Afterworker rides which were mixed in attendance, but positively received.
John – Highlight for him has been finally measuring pollution at Grove Road, with MEOTRA aiming for a big push on pollution this coming year.
Gerry – Tower Hamlets is not a member of the Kings College webpage on air pollution, this should be an aim to rectify. Require to get a clear policy on bike storage on estates from the council in the coming year. Canal tow paths are currently being used as commuter routes which they are not suitable for, and cause pedestrian/cyclist conflict. Wheelers should work with Hackney on trying to alleviate this issue. A radical plan for filtering along Cable Street needs to be re-looked at, and put back on the table.
Helen – Highlight of the year was the mayoral hustings, which had in attendance all the major candidates. Going like to be more present herself, and more involved as feels hasn’ been that involved this year. Would like to try and increase membership numbers within the group.
Christy – Again highlight was mayoral hustings as well as the cycling manifesto which was very professionally designed and built. Great that all the candidates signed up to this and that we have something to hold the present incumbent to.
Julie – Was very pleased that we have forged some new alliances within the borough such as Popla Harca and Friends of the Earth who share similar aims for Tower Hamlets. Looking forward to the ride to Aberfeldy which does have the real potential to be a liveable neighbourhood.
Alex – Happy that we have now conducted three separate mini-holland tours of Waltham Forest, with 9 councillors including the current mayor haven been taken on a tour of the area. Looking forward we have upcoming consultations on big schemes such as the Hackney to Isle of Dogs cycle route.
Owen – Did a treasurers report. Currently just under £1500 in the account which is a lot more than expected. Need to claim the Freecycle money. Borough groups will now be audited by an external company.
David T – Highlights were the monthly meetings and workshops which serve not only as a practical device but also a social one. Great the workshop helps keep local peoples bikes on the road. Again the cycling manifesto was commended for being very professional and great that the hustings got everyone in agreement. Also thanked Alex Waring for his contribution in setting up the very first mayoral hustings.
3. Breakout to Discussion Groups
A breakout period to discussion groups on how best to proceed over a range of topics around cycling within Tower Hamlets.
4. Committee Elections
Committee elections were carried out as a block rather than individual posts this year as roles tend to be less defined with a tendency during the previous year for people to volunteer time whenever they can in whatever areas need addressing.
Committee - Keith. Nominated by Helen, 2nd Terry.
- David. Nominated by Christy, 2nd Richard.
- Rob. Nominated by Helen, 2nd Terry.
- Helen. Nominated by Alex, 2nd Christy.
Votes in favour = 9, Against = 0, Abstentions = 1.
5. Vote on last year’s minutes
11 in favour
1 abstention
6. Matter Arising
Gerry wanted it put on record that she felt that the minutes for the EGM held in July were inadequate and inaccurate. She also felt that the minutes were delayed in getting to her, having had the meeting held on 11/07/2017, and only receiving the minutes on 13/11/2017. She requested that the minutes for any committee meetings held between the previous AGM and the EGM be provided to her as this is an outstanding governance issue. Alex countered that there weren’t any additional meetings held during that period. The Wheelers constitution in paragraph 36 states that there only needs to be agreement from over half the management committee members in order to call an EGM, although it doesn’t state by which method this agreement needs to take place, so could be gained by text, phone calls etc.
7. Update to signatories for bank account
Owen asked for a few more people to come onto the bank account signatory list as a number of people on the account were no longer active with the Wheelers.
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