MEETING MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
WEDNESDAY, 21 October 2009 at ST LUKE’S VESTRY
- The AGM was called to order by the President, The Reverend Prebendary Dr Brian Leathard.
- Minutes of 2008 AGM; The president asked for the minutes of the 2008 AGM to be agreed. The motion was proposed, seconded and approved unanimously.
- Treasurer’s Report: Daisy Alexander, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report and Accounts for the fiscal year ending 30 June 2009. She thanked Heather Gumbrell (ACIS and member) for auditing the accounts and confirmed that she was willing to audit next year’s accounts. There were no questions, and the accounts were then approved.
- Management Committee of the SSDRA Residents’ Association: The members of the Management Committee of the Associations were proposed for re-election and seconded. The Committee was re-elected unanimously. The members are Peter Huntington, Daisy Alexander, Richard Alexander, Susan Spiller, Katharine Lumsden, Kim Taylor-Smith, Peter Parmigiani, and John Harrison.
- Chairman’s Report: Peter Huntington, Chairman, delivered his annual report to the meeting. He first noted with sadness the passing of one of our members, Mrs Joan Astley who had passed away at aged 98 last December. He also noted that 2009 is the 50th Anniversary of the SSDRA. Details of other points of his report are included in the annual newsletter distributed to members in September 2009. The Chairman then invited questions from those present.
- Concerns were raised about the poor condition of the toilets in the St Luke’s Gardens. It was noted that a new block will be built in the same location with work due to start in Feb 2010.
- It was also recommended that we all record our thanks to the wonderful work done to improve the gardens over the past year.
- The Metropolitan Police: Inspector Sean Flynn and Sergeant Daniel Roberts provided their update and reports. They reported on their work to disperse groups and to stop street drinkers. They confirmed that burglaries in this area had not increased unlike in other areas of London where they had increased significantly. However, they did mention the incidence of a number of street robberies.
- Guest Speaker: Councillor Merrick Cockell, Leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and Chairman of London Councils. He spoke about a range of topic of interest to us, including the Gold Standard Award, of which the SSDRA is one of the first four associations to receive this prestigious award. Other topics included the South Kensington area works and improvements; an update on Congestion charging; the Cycle hire scheme; road construction permitting; and the new “Wedge” card.
Members then asked a range of questions including in regards to trees on Sydney Street; the South Kensington area works and Exhibition Road.
The AGM was formally brought to a close by the President. Members were invited to stay to enjoy the special cakes in celebration of our 50th Anniversary year.