Draft Minutes of the Darnall Forum Annual General Meeting, 4 October 2017

Attendance – eight people were in attendance

Apologies – there were four apologies.

The Minutes of the 2016 AGM were agreed to be a true record.

Matters Arising – None.

The financial report, which is part of the annual report and accounts for 2016, was adopted. Neil Bishop reported that despite increasing its unrestricted reserves the Charity’s overall reserves had reduced by £4,000. This is why we are trying to sell the post office. Even taking the sale into account, the Charity is expected to lose another £5,000 this year unless some of the people of goodwill who lent money to the post office decide to donate the money to the Charity when it is repaid to them.

The Trustees’ Annual Report for 2016, including the Chair’s Report was adopted. Mothiur Rahman thanked the staff and directors for their support during the year.

Elections & Appointment of Auditors – Mothiur noted that directors who have not attended a meeting for six months are automatically considered to have retired and that one third of the board are supposed to retire each year. It was agreed that those who had not attended would be considered to have retired unless they reapply to be directors.

There are therefore six vacancies for the Board and these were not filled. Nicholson & Co were re-appointed as the independent examiners for 2017.

Local issues – There was a discussion about the recruitment process for the new IKEA store. The meeting expressed strong disappointment about the lack of support for local people to engage with the very demanding recruitment process. Neil Bishop reported that, perhaps as a result of publicity surrounding the meeting, an information day for potential recruits is planned at the Forum on 23 October, with JobCentre Plus advisers in attendance. The meeting agreed that Neil should ask the councillors to pay for this from the Ward Pot or obtain other Council funding to support it.

AOB –

East European people are congregating again outside shops. It was suggested that they are drinking in the street and dropping litter. However, it was also noted that the police do not believe they are causing a breach of the peace.

Fly tipping and street litter bins getting over full remain problem issues. Neil Bishop drew attention to the Forum’s repeated unsuccessful efforts to raise funds to tackle fly tipping. It was noted that Street Ahead have been asked to keep an eye on the situation.