MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Held at the Beaumont Hotel on Monday 17th September 2007 at 7.00pm
 
 
 
PRESENT:
 
Roy Dallison (Chairman)                    -           Hexham Community Partnership
Councillor Michael Way                      -           Hexham Town Council
Councillor Matty Donnelly                  -           Hexham Town Council
Councillor Mrs Ingrid Whale               -           Northumberland County Council
Stan Batey                                          -           Hexham and Tynedale Community Trust
Rosemary Theobalds                         -           Churches Together in Hexham
Philip Clark                                          -           Co-opted Member
Terry Robson                                      -           North East Chamber of Commence
Tim Tatman                                        -           Elected Member
Judith Youens                                     -           Hexham Resident
Mike Coleman                                                -           Volunteering Tynedale Council
Richard Powell                                    -           Head of Community Regeneration, Tynedale Council
Mike Short                                          -           Hexham Civic Society
Tony Webster                                     -           Hexham Schools Partnership
Inspector Kevin Oates                        -           Northumbria Police
Penny Grennan                                  -           Chair, Public Arts Committee
Christina Auld                                      -           Living Streets
Malcolm Eglin                                     -           Finishing Touch Warehouse
J B Jonas                                            -           Hexham Town Council/Hexham Local History Society
William Martin                                     -           Hexham Resident
D L Rawson                                        -           Hexham Civic Society
A M Rutherford                                   -           NE Chamber of Commerce
Professor J W Thompson                   -           Hexham Resident
Mrs J W Thompson                            -           Hexham Resident
Jane Hart                                            -           Community Action Northumberland
Jo Burrill                                              -           Hexham Farmers Market
Lesley Grieve                                      -           Hexham Children’s Centre Manager (NCC)
Roz Waller                                          -           Hexham Resident
Patricia Graham-Tomlinson               -           Hexham Bed and Breakfast Association
 
IN ATTENDANCE:
 
Tamsin Beevor                                   -           Hexham Community Partnership
Elaine Clarke                                      -           Minute Taker
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
1.         Apologies and Declarations of Interests
 
            Councillor John Herron           -           Hexham Town Council
            Mark Benjamin                       -           Hexham Library
            Jennie Collingwood                 -           Tynedale Council
            Hugh Fearnall                         -           Hexham Abbey Shop
            James Fell                              -           Tynedale Council
            D Gallagher                             -           Hexham Steeplechase Company Limited
            A Hallington                             -           Hexham Resident
            D Tiffin                                                -           Hexham Town Council
            Reverend C G Usher              -           Hexham Abbey PCC
            Martin Owen                           -           Pubwatch
 
            It was noted that there were no declarations of interest.
 
2.         Minutes of Last Meeting
 
            The minutes of the last meeting held on Monday, 11th September 2006, were agreed as a true record and were signed off by the Chairman.
 
3.         Matters Arising
 
            There were no matters arising.
 
            Councillor Michael Way congratulated the Chairman and Tamsin on the inspirational work carried out this year and for seizing the opportunity of purchasing the Forum, which has provided an income for the Partnership and a social need for Hexham.
 
4.         Hexham Market Place Improvements
 
            Discussions took place regarding the proposed improvements to the Market Place with a number of members expressing their concerns regarding a number of the traffic management proposals. It was noted that further consultation is to take place. A small number of members had attended the exhibition at the Queen’s Hall prior to the AGM.
 
            The Chairman thanked everyone for their comments and stated that it was important for Philip Clark and Tamsin to be involved in the consultation process.
 
5.         Annual Report
 
            The Chairman advised that 150 people had attended the Forum Cinema’s 70th Anniversary Champagne Reception on the 12th September and the evening had been a great success. He stated that he was very happy with the progression of the cinema and a Board of Directors had been appointed as follows:
 
            Peter Kemp (Chairman)
            Terry Robson – Hexham Community Partnership
            Roy Dallison – Hexham Community Partnership
            Lynn Turner and Tiffany McKirdy - Marketing
 
            Tamsin gave a progress report on the running of the cinema. The cinema had been bought as a going concern to provide an income stream for the Hexham Community Partnership. Permission has been granted from Wetherspoons to provide new office accommodation, once completed, the public areas are to be refurbished and an on-line booking facility set up. Tamsin advised that application forms to be ‘Friends of the Cinema’ were available to interested parties. Copies of this report were available to all at the end of the meeting.
 
            The Partnership needs to move forward to non-cinema activities and requires a focus plan that is not part of the Investment Plan. This would be a working document and would be acknowledged as a Business Plan. In the past there has been a Hexham Investment and Business Plan with the two plans sitting side by side. The aim of the Community Partnership is to deliver a Hexham Business Plan – copies of this plan are available from Tamsin. Copies of the Hexham Investment and Business Plan are also available from Tamsin. 
 
            It was noted that the following items are included within the Hexham Investment and Business Plan:
 
·      Discussions on Hexham Market Place and transport solutions.
·      Discussions on Hexham Bus Station.
·      Market vitality.
·      Christmas Market.
·      Continental Market (19/20th October 2007).
·      Involvement with Hexham Abbey on the consultation for the proposed Hexham Abbey Visitor Centre.
·      Hexham Business Forum – late night shopping event.
·      Hexham East End Regeneration.
 
6.         Financial Report
 
            Partnership Officer’s Report
 
            Tamsin gave an overview of the financial report – sorry Tamsin I did not write anything down here – don’t know why. Please can you assist????
 
            Appointment of Accountants
 
            Tamsin reported that Councillor John Herron (Town Council representative) had attended meetings with the proposed accountants. The company is called the Seahouses Accounting Service and will be dealing with both the cinema and Hexham Community Partnership accounts at a yearly remuneration of £350/£500. Following discussion it was agreed that the above named company should be employed by the Hexham Community Partnership.
 
7.         Appointment of Members of Executive Committee (Directors)
 
            The Chairman stated that he was conscious of the lack of meetings being held apart from the AGM. One more general meeting at the half year stage had been well attended and good feedback had been received. It may be possible to arrange further meetings. He thanked all members of the Executive Board for their help and support over the last year and also the committee chairs. All members were thanked for their attendance, interest and support.
 
            Approval of Membership List
 
            The current membership was approved:
 
            Councillor John Herron
            Vacancy – Tynedale Council
            Councillor Mrs Ingrid Whale
            Stan Batey
            Terry Robson
            Tony Webster
            Tim Tatman
            Rosemary Theobalds
            Keda Norman
            Martin Owen
            Vacancy – Citizens Advice Bureau
            Vacancy – Hexham Business Forum
            Co-opted member – Mike Coleman (Volunteering Tynedale)
           
            Election of Members
 
            Rosemary Theobald explained the election process to those members able to vote and the following members were duly elected:
 
            Roy Dallison (Chairman)
            Sandy Rutherford
            Philip Clark
            Michael Way
 
8.         Any Other Business
 
            Public Art Group
 
            Following a query as to whether the Public Art Group is in existence – Penny Grennan confirmed that she is the Chair of the Public Arts Committee.
 
 
 
THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.10PM