Petersfield Area Community Trust - Annual General Meeting: 2 November 1999 Minutes</title<> <meta name="keywords" content="PACT, Petersfield, Community Association, Cambridge, UK, England, Cambridgeshire"> <base href="."> <link rel="stylesheet" href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/pactstyle.css" type="text/css"/> <link rel="canonical" href="http://www.colc.co.uk/cambridge/forum/pact/archives/agmminutes021199.html" /> </head> <body> <table> <tr><td><img src="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/logo.png" alt="logo"></td> <td><h1 class="maintitle"><center>Petersfield Area<br/> Community Trust</center></h1></td></tr> <tr><td valign="top"> <ul class="navbar"> <li><b>PACT:</b> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/index.html">Homepage</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/calendar.html">Events!</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/members.html">Join us...</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/committee.html">Board of Trustees</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/impact/index.html">Newsletters</a> <li><a href="mailto.html">Contact us</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/pacttrix.html">Tour Petersfield</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/emailist.html">Meet your neighbours</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/pactlink.html">Local Links</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/supporters.html">Supporters</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/inet_access.html">Internet Access</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/newspapers.html">PACT in the papers</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/pictures.html">Photo Gallery</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/advertising.html">Advertise yourself!</a> <li><b>PACT ISSUES:</b> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/comcentr.html">Community Centre</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/planning.html">Planning Issues</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/amenity.html">Local Amenities</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/millennium.html">Millennium Project</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/traffic.html">Traffic</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/shopping.html">Local Shopping</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/homeless.html">Homelessness</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/vandals.html">Vandalism & Crime</a> <li><a href="/">The Cemetery</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/youth.html">Youth Activites</a> <li><a href="../../../../cambridge/forum/pact/bgop.html">Older People</a> </ul> </td><td valign="top"> <center><h1>Annual General Meeting: 2 November 1999 Minutes</title<></center> Apologies received from: Clive Woodman, Sheila Ingham, Kate Green, Jackie Minchella, Selina Keiller, Cllr Trish Wright, Cllr Hannah Reed, Jackie Pettit <p> Present: Please see attendance list. <p> Chair: Valerie Neale <p> 1. Val welcomed everyone at 7:30 prompt, and outlined the proposed structure for the evening. <p> 2. The attendance sheet & collection envelope was sent round <p> 3. The Minutes for the last AGM were passed round and approved unanimously. <p> 4. Members of last year's committee - including those who are retiring from active service - were introduced and thanked. Especial thanks were also given to various individuals who have helped on a co-opted basis over the past year. <p> 5. Chair's report (Shayne chaired while Val reported). <p> For full details, see actual report: issues highlighted included the demand for a community centre which has become apparent through the Survey of Needs (71% of respondents felt that Petersfield needs such a centre). <p> Also pointed out was PACT's adherence to the wishlist created last year; its support to the residents of Stone Terrace; its fights on the community's behalf about the issues of parking in Varsity House and a proposed hotel in East Road; as well as its involvement with planning concerns such as the Philipps site and the Red Studio. <p> The following issues were also covered: <p> - Crime, Vandalism & safety -- a key issue last year was the vandalism occurring in Mill Road Cemetery. As a direct consequence of this, the Cemetery has featured in the national press, and Friends of Mill Road Cemetery (FoMRC) has been successfully launched. <p>- Foister & Jagg site <p>- co-operation with police, such as with the forthcoming car vandalism survey <p>- homelessness: Jimmy's nightshelter has become an affiliated member of PACT, and homelessness remains a hot topic - viz, the debate over Wintercomfort's application for a temporary nightshelter in Red Studio <p>- Campaigns for, and celebrations of, local events which have been very successful over the course of the year (such as St.Matthew's Piece Belated Centenary Picnic) <p>- Forthcoming Directory of local services & businesses, which requires a great deal of work, and for which extra help was requested. <p>- Mill Road Library: Ben Bradnack reported that there is no further news on this issue, and support was requested for the campaign. <p>- Youth Activities: current activity on this front was mentioned, such as Youth NEt, CB1, and weekly meetings in Red Studio <p>- Publicity & communication -- support was requested for these vital areas, and Berenice's incredible work over the past year was publicly acknowledged! <p>- Finally, support was requested for "the boring bits": admin, fundraising, etc. <p>There were no questions. <p><br> The following is the full report: <p>Chair's Report To PACT AGM, 2 November 1999: <p>At our 1st public meeting, exactly 1 year ago today, PACT had three key ingredients including an inspired name and a stunning logo. Most important of all was its passionate desire to protect Petersfield residents from being steamrollered again and again by wealthy and powerful self-serving interest groups. We left that public meeting with 10 enthused and committed committee members - who had a clear mandate, in the form of PACT's famous 'Wish List', which has guided this year's work. <p>Wishlist Issues Tackled During PACT's 1st Year <p>- Planning/Community Centre/Traffic: Petersfield-wide survey of residents views re needs for local facilities (copies of analysis to be available at AGM); 71% of respondents agree that Petersfield needs a Community Centre - hundreds of suggestions for types of facilities and activities from local residents <p>- PACT's Youth Venue Working Party has been actively consulting and researching every possible angle for enhancing provision, following loss of Howard Mallett Centre (incl. meeting with City, County & Parkside Community College officials) <p> <p>Local property developments <p>- discussions with local ward councillors about having a more open procedure for allocating "commuted payments" arising from major local property developments - consultations with Planning Department re Philips Site (16/11/98, etc.) <p>- support for local residents needing help to resist over-development (e.g., in Stone Terrace, where 8 4-bedroom houses were proposed to replace 1 house; strong opposition from local residents - supported by PACT - defeated this) <p>- active consultation re Varsity House development & associated parking issues in New St <p>- active involvement with proposed (now rejected) East Road hotel development & associated road safety issues <p>- 'Planning for Real Day' (25/9/99) re Philips Site - very successful & interesting; PACT has already written back to the Council on its proposals arising from that. <p>- Fighting to ensure that Red Studio complies with all planning conditions set by the Council (e.g., the User Group - still not established) <p> - Early exploration of possibility of establishment of pedestrian/cycle-friendly traffic scheme (20 mph limit) in Petersfield residential streets - on the agenda for this AGM <p>- Crime, Vandalism & Safety <p>- Creation of Friends of Mill Road Cemetery, FoMRC (involving regular highlighting of issue in Cambridge Evening News, successful Cemetery Clean Up 25/4/99, Reclaim the Cemetery Day 29/8/99, regular public meetings that included inspirational guest speakers (e.g., Peter Avery, Friends of St George's Garden 23/3/99) and formal Establishment of FoMRC on 25/10/99) <p>- Beehive site (boy racers issue, Cambridge Evening News support, successful resolution with British Land - owners of the site - rising bollards) <p>- Prevention of crime by supporting York Street and Abbey Walk residents in campaigning successfully to have derelict Foister & Jagg site boarded up. <p>- Active link with community police officer, who would be pleased to set up any Neighbourhood Watch schemes that local residents would like to establish <p>- Creation of survey by PACT and police (to be completed over next 6 months) re what might otherwise be unreported vandalism to local residents parked cars Homelessness <p>- inviting Jimmy's Nightshelter members (among other local organisations) to participate in PACT's involvement in the City Council's 'Mosaics for the Millennium' project <p>- welcoming Jimmy's Nightshelter as an affiliated member of PACT <p>- PACT management committee has carefully researched and prepared its response to the proposal to house Wintercomfort temporarily in the large Hall of the former Howard Mallett Centre; all letters must be received by the Council Planning Department at the Guildhall by 8 November 1999, quoting ref. P/C/99/0956/FP, to be in time for consideration of this matter at the 1 December Planning Subcommittee meeting. Campaigning for & Celebrating Petersfield Facilities <p>- Well attended community local parties, in December 1998 (in St Matthew's Church Hall) and in June 1999 (to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of St Matthew's Piece) <p>- Petition to City Council for Youth Facilities following loss of Howard Mallett Centre <p>- Beginning to create a Directory of local services & businesses * <p>- Library - repeated requests to County Council for reinstatement of mobile library services to compensate for loss of Mill Rd Library - so far no response* Possible sites: Silverwood Close, Cherry Trees, Beehive Centre, Ditchburn Place, and the eventual development at the Philips site; needs more pressure. <p>- Support for new Petersfield-based youth services : Ken Adams' weekly Junior (8-11) Youth Club; 'The Base' - the Saturday drop-in centre at CB1 on Mill Rd; & the launch of Youthnet at CB2 on 10/11/99] <p>- Campaigning for more public benches and better lighting Communication Within PACT ? Creation of efficient teams of volunteers to distribute leaflets for meetings & events* <p>- Production of our newsletter (IMPACT) and setting up of an effective delivery team* <p>- Creation of well visited & attractive website, with the support of Cambridge Online City, and now maintained by PACT committee members <p>- Placement of posters in many PACT members' windows, promoting meetings and events* <p>- Active communication and collaboration between PACT & Cambridge City Councillors and Planners, as well as with Parkside's Community Education Dept & associated Community Youth Workers, and local journalists. <p>- Use of communication tree (phone/email/paper) for rapid widespread consultation among PACT committee members <p> <p>And Last But Not Least, (Seemingly Boring But Absolutely Essential) Admin: <p>- Creation of PACT Constitution, approved at 19/1/99 Public Meeting <p>- Formal election of Management Committee at 19/1/99 Public Meeting <p>- Establishment of PACT bank account & regular reporting of accounts <p>- Creation of PACT archive of documents, minutes etc. <p>- Fundraising <br> <p>** Please contact any member of the committee if you can assist us in these areas PACT looks forward to another year of vigorous and constructive local community action, and welcomes your support in any of these areas. Valerie Neal (PACT Chair, 1999) <p>6. Treasurer's Report: The annual accounts were approved unanimously: and further support was requested as future budgets will be somewhat larger than those for the first year. <p>There was one question from the floor, about whether committee members' expenses, such as photocopying, appeared anywhere in the accounts: the treasurer replied that whilst none had been claimed for in the first year of accounts, committee members were now allowed to claim so that such expenses should not come out of their own pockets. <p> <p>7. The Committee's recommendation that Aileen Hindley be appointed as PACT's independent examiner of accounts was approved unanimously. <p>8. Membership & renewals: those present were reminded that membership is an annual one, and were encouraged to pay at the end of the meeting. <p>9. Elections of new committee. Volunteers for both Committee posts (C) and Working Parties (W) were called for, with the following standing (C=Committee member: WP = Working Party: ? = unsure whether to stand for C or WP): <p>FUNCTION: C/W Members of previous Committee C/W New volunteers <p> FOR :Youth Work/Community Centre: <br>John Collins (C), Glenys Malyon (C) <br> Alison Martin (WP) Shirley Whitehouse(W) <p> FOR: Traffic Calming <br>Shayne Mitchell (C) <br>Chris Parr (W) Paula Watson (C/W?) Shirley Whitehouse(W) Angela Waller & Partner (C/W Planning C C C Leslie Tubb Valerie Neale Glenys Malyon ? Carol Hay ImPACT Newsletter C Berenice H-Smith Website C Anna Lindsay WP Rose Cubitt (503779) Publicity Fundraising C C Dorothy Runnicles Glenys Malyon Carnival C Berenice Library WP Sarah Brierley (351193) Mosaic C WP Anna Lindsay Valerie Neale WP Sarah Brierley Cemetery WP Sarah Brierley <p>The candidates were unanimously accepted. There were no abstentions or objections. <p>10. John proposed that Valerie Neale be called upon to chair the remainder of the meeting after the election of the new committee. Motion seconded & unanimously approved. <p>11. Changes to constitution: <p>The following were unanimously approved: <p>According to our constitution, these require the approval of a two thirds majority of the voting members present at a Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting. <p>The main purpose of the changes is to simplify and shorten the time periods involved. In most cases of notice being required this will now be 10 days. The exception is the case where PACT is to be wound up, which remains at 21 days. <p>Other changes are to correct inaccuracies or grammatical mistakes. <p>The proposed changes: <p>5 ii) change 10 to 12 <p>It will then read <p>The Committee shall be comprised of 7 to 12 members <p>6 v) insert the word binding after the word any <p>It will then read <p>Quorum:- A minimum of three, or one third of the voting committee members, (whichever is the greater) must be present for Committee members to take any binding decisions on behalf of PACT. <p>The reason for the change is that many decisions need to be taken by committee members on a day to day basis. The change gives us discretion as to what is a small decision and one having a potentially major impact <p>7 i) d) add the words an auditor or independent examiner of accounts after the word appointing and delete the word auditor <p>It will then read <p>electing the new Committee and appointing an auditor or independent examiner of accounts <p>7 iii) change 21 to 10 <p>It will then read <p>Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be posted up, or sent to members, 10 days before the date of the meeting. This shall be the responsibility of the Secretary or, in her/his absence, that of the Chair <p>7 v) change 28 to 10 <p>It will then read <p>Any members of PACT wishing to include motions at the Annual General Meeting, shall be required to submit them to the Secretary not later than 10 days before the date of the meeting <p>8) add 10 after the word least and change 21 to 10 <p>it will then read <p>The Management Committee may call a special general meeting of PACT at any time. If at least 10 (ten) members request such a meeting in writing, or via e-mail, stating the business to be considered, the secretary shall call such a meeting. At least 10 days' notice must be given and the notice must state the business to be discussed. <p>10 i) insert the word a after the word of <p>It will then read <p>Any alterations to this constitution shall require the approval of a two thirds majority of the voting members present at a Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting. <p>10 ii) change 28 to 10 and 14 to 10 <p>It will then read <p>Any resolutions for the alteration of the constitution must be received in writing, or via e-mail by the Secretary not less than 10 days before the General Meeting. A 10 days notice of the meeting shall be posted up by the Secretary, or sent to members, stating the time, date, and venue and the wording of the proposed alteration(s) <p>Our existing constitution: <p>Petersfield Area Community Trust (P.A.C.T.) <p>Constitution <p>1) NAME:- <p>The name of the Community Association shall be Petersfield Area Community Trust (P.A.C.T.), hereinafter referred to as ["PACT"]. <p>2) AIMS/OBJECTS:- <p>to organise supportive structures which can help foster local community spirit in the Petersfield area <p>to further the interests of residents of the Petersfield area <p>to act as a forum and facilitator for the community and to attempt to fulfil community needs <p>3) POWERS:- <p>PACT shall have the power to employ staff, to acquire property and equipment, to raise money, and to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of its aims. <p>4) (a) MEMBERSHIP:- <p>i) Membership of PACT shall be open to: <p>all those living in the Petersfield area, who support the aims and objects of the organisation, irrespective of their race, colour, gender, age, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, and other opinions <p>any other person invited to join by two voting members of the Management Committee <p>ii) Groups fulfilling the above criteria may apply to affiliate to PACT <p>iii) Individuals (and groups) shall become members (and affiliates) of PACT at the discretion of the Management Committee and must subscribe to the aims of PACT <p>iv) All members and groups shall pay such subscriptions for membership (and affiliation fees) as determined by the Management Committee <p>(b) TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP:- <p>Individuals shall cease to be members of PACT:- <p>i) For ceasing to satisfy the membership requirements as stated in Clause 4(a) above or for serious breaches of any other rules of PACT as laid down by an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting PROVIDED THAT the individual member concerned or their representative has had the right to be heard by the Management Committee before the final decision is made. There shall be the right of appeal to an independent arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement <p>ii)Upon the receipt by the Secretary or the Chair of a written notification, or e-mail, of the intention from the member concerned <p>5) MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE:- <p>i) PACT shall be managed by individuals directly nominated by and from PACT's membership and elected at the Annual General Meeting to a Management Committee (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee") <p>ii) The Committee shall be comprised of 7 to 10 members who shall elect a Chair, a Treasurer and a Secretary at the Committee's first meeting following the Annual General Meeting <p>iii) In addition to the elected members, the Committee may co-opt up to 3 members. Co-opted members shall have the power to vote <p>iv) The committee may also invite persons to attend committee meetings on an ex officio basis. Such persons shall not have the power to vote. <p>v) The Committee shall have the power to set up sub committees, working parties, and ad hoc committees, consisting of at least one member of the Management Committee, to address specific tasks that may be raised during the life time of PACT. All acts and proceedings of such committees shill be reported back to, and as determined by, the Committee. <p>vi) The Committee shall have the power to appoint individuals to fill any casual vacancies that may occur. Such appointees shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting is held. <p>6) COMMITTEE MEETINGS:- <p>i) The Committee shall meet at least 3 times a year <p>ii) The secretary shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of agendas and notices of the meetings <p>iii) Notice of the meeting stating the time, date and venue shall be sent to all committee members 7 days before the date of the meeting <p>iv) The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping a proper record of minutes of the committee meetings <p>v) Quorum:- A minimum of three, or one third of the voting committee members, (whichever is the greater) must be present for Committee members to take any decisions on behalf of PACT. <p>vi) Staff employed by PACT may attend and address Committee meetings but shall not be entitled to vote <p>vii) Committee meetings shall be conducted in accordance with any rules drawn up and revised as necessary by the Committee. <p>7) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS:- <p>i) The Committee shall arrange an Annual General Meeting for the purpose of: <p>a) reporting to its members PACT's activities for the year <p>b) receipt and approval by membership of PACT's audited, or independently examined, accounts <p>c) accepting resignation of the Committee <p>d) electing the new Committee and appointing auditors <p>e) resolving any other proposals that members may have submitted <p>ii) The Annual General Meeting shall be held in November every year <p>iii) Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be posted up, or sent to members, 21 days before the date of the meeting. This shall be the responsibility of the Secretary or, in her/his absence, that of the Chair <p>iv) The Chair of the Committee shall act as Chair at any General Meeting. In her/his absence members present may elect any of the Committee members present to chair the meeting <p>v) Any members of PACT wishing to include motions at the Annual General Meeting, shall be required to submit them to the Secretary not later than 28 days before the date of the meeting <p>vi) Any motions to be adopted shall require a simple majority of members present and voting. <p>vii) Each member of PACT shall be entitled to one vote, regardless of age, providing they are able to understand the proceedings <p>viii) Quorum:- A minimum of eight persons must be present. <p>8) SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS:- <p>The Management Committee may call a special general meeting of PACT at any time. If at least (ten) members request such a meeting in writing, or via e-mail, stating the business to be considered, the secretary shall call such a meeting. At least 21 days' notice must be given and the notice must state the business to be discussed. <p>9) ACCOUNTS/FINANCE:- <p>i) All moneys raised by or on behalf of PACT shall be applied to further the objects of PACT and no other purpose <p>ii) The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping proper books and records of accounts, opening a bank account in the name of PACT and preparing a statement of accounts for Annual General Meetings <p>iii) The Accounts shall be examined once a year by the auditor, or independent examiner, appointed by the Annual General Meeting. <p>iv) PACT's funds shall be paid into an account operated by the Management Committee in PACT's name at such bank or building society as the committee shall from time to time decide. All cheques drawn on the account, or other withdrawals, must be signed by at least 2 members of the committee <p>10) ALTERATIONS TO THE RULES:- <p>i) Any alterations to this constitution shall require the approval of two thirds majority of the voting members present at a Special General Meeting or Annual General Meeting. <p>ii) Any resolutions for the alteration of the constitution must be received in writing, or via e-mail by the Secretary not less than 28 days before the General Meeting. A 14 days notice of the meeting shall be posted up by the Secretary, or sent to members, stating the time, date, and venue and the wording of the proposed alteration(s) <p>11) WINDING UP/DISSOLUTION:- <p>If the Committee by a simple majority decided at any time, that on grounds of financial difficulties or otherwise, it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Group, the Committee shall call a special meeting of all members, giving them at least 21 days notice and stating the terms of the resolution to be proposed at the meeting. If the proposed resolution is confirmed by a simple majority of members present and voting at the meeting, the Committee shall have the powers to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of PACT. Any assets remaining, after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities, shall be transferred to another voluntary organisation(s) having objects similar to those of PACT. <p>This constitution was adopted as the constitution of Petersfield Area Community Trust (P.A.C.T.) at a Public Meeting held at St.Matthew's Church Hall, Cambridge on 19th January 1999 <p>Signed Chair <p>Signed Secretary <p> <p>12. Safer Streets Initiative. <p>The speaker, Adam Swallow, was introduced. He presented the case study of Newsome Ward near Huddersfield, which 5 years ago decided that they needed to take the traffic issue into their own hands as their views were not being represented. Mr Swallow related how various options were discussed and weighed with the help of a specialist from the Netherlands, and how a mutually-satisfactory solution was found, appropriate to the actual area. <p>Such a scheme is now sought in various parts of Cambridge. Residents need to be consulted as the very FIRST stage of any such initiative, rather than after plans have been made: and it is important that residents are aware both of the available options (including available budgets!) and of the knock-on effects of each option. <p>An appeal was made for interested parties to put together ideas for a meeting specifically on this issue. <p>Questions were invited from the floor, and contact details were requested for those who wish to be kept informed. <p>One member recounted how she rang up both the City and the County councils recently about this very issue, to be told that there was no money for any such improvement scheme. However, Adam pointed out that many traffic calming initiatives already have capital allocated them in various budgets, and that moreover, many traffic calming schemes can be executed at little or no initial cost, such as the replacement of light bulbs in defunct street signs� Other schemes - eg., planting trees, staggered parking, etc - are already in existence, so that it is mostly a matter of accessing the appropriate budget, and that future meetings can explore any and all of such options. <p>The Chair also reminded the assembled members that part of the money which "doesn't exist for such things" is, in fact, our money, so that the community should have a say in the matter. <p> <p>13. Survey of Need: <p>See appended summary. <p>Basically, rather than PACT simply assuming that the community wanted certain things, we actually went out and asked them by means of the survey. Results clearly showed a perceived need for a community centre, with 72% of respondents endorsing this view, and requesting facilities ranging from trampolining and steel drums to a socialising alternative to shopping and pub-crawls. <p>14. Red Next?: Following on from Shayne's report, Glenys Malyon reminded the audience that Petersfield used to have a community centre. She outlined the history of the Howard Mallett/Red Studio issue, and requested that PACT be involved in future consultations. <p>She summarised the current confusing situation - namely, that Peter Dawe is apparently simultaneously earmarking the Main Hall (the only part of Red Studio to which the community still nominally has access) for 1) Wintercomfort Nightshelter, 2) a public entertainments licence, and 3) sub-letting. It was also pointed out that the objection which has heretofore been given to prevent community sport and recreation in the Main Hall is now no longer applicable: the film and radio editing is no longer being performed, and therefore no longer runs the risk of being disturbed. <p>It was noted that the application for the Entertainments licence was rejected as a result of PACT's formal objection. <p>Re., Wintercomfort: she appealed for the public to continue to write letters (to be addressed to the Planning Dept in the Guildhall) against the mooted nightshelter. <p> <p>The floor was opened to questions. Don Keillor of Priory Road Residents' Association reported on the problems caused by a similar Wintercomfort Nightshelter in the Priory Road area, and quoted from a local councillor's letter which highlights the resulting increase in crime, harassment, vandalism, and public nuisance (eg., defecation on doorsteps). In an impassioned plea to those present, Mr Keillor urged everyone to write to the council to register their objections to the proposed nightshelter . <p> <p>The floor was then taken by Mr Richard Howlett, manager of Jimmy's Nightshelter. He expressed his concern about PACT's stance re., the Red Studio, and explained that this nightshelter application is a 3-way one, in a joint venture by Cambridge City Council, English Churches, as well as Wintercomfort. He reminded those present that the homeless situation in Cambridge is a dire one, with the homeless vastly outnumbering the beds available: and pointed out that homelessness is not a fact which will disappear if we pretend that it doesn't exist. He challenged everyone to do without their own individual addictions, be it nicotine, alcohol, coffee, or chocolate, and pleaded for a greater compassion for the homeless and the drug-dependant. <p> <p>Alison Pace, Petersfield resident, argued that the problem is not so much the homeless in the shelters but those who have no room in the shelters, and therefore no access to sanitation. A temporary solution, she feels, is therefore no solution. <p> <p>Ms Pace was followed by Mr Will Hudson, parent governor at Parkside. He argued that, although the community does have a responsibility to the homeless, it also has a responsibility to young people, both to keep them safe and to provide facilities. Thus, although the needs of the community are diverse, he felt that the HMC/Red Studio should be for young people rather than for the homeless. <p>He was supported by Dorothy Runnicles, who agreed that the question was not whether we have a responsibility to the homeless, but rather how to balance the conflicting needs. <p> <p>Following this, the meeting was called upon to ratify, amend, or reject the draft resolutions (final wording): <p> <p>(1) endorses the recent actions of the PACT Management Committee in successfully objecting to Dawe Media's application for a 7-day/week entertainments licence for the Large Hall of the Howard Mallett Centre(currently the Red Studio) <p> <p>The motion was proposed by Harriet K, and seconded by Carol Hay. <p>In favour: 25 <br>Against: 0 <br>Abstentions: 1 <br>PASSED <p> <p>(2) calls on the PACT Management Committee to oppose the application to site a temporary nightshelter in the Large Hall of the Howard Mallett Centre (currently the Red Studio). <p>In favour: 18 <br>Against: 8 <br>Abstentions: 8 <br>PASSED <p> <p>This Meeting further calls on Cambridgeshire County Council: <p>(3) to terminate the lease of the Howard Mallett Centre to Dawe Media for failure to meet its obligations in the Management Agreement and for non-compliance with planning obligations, with respect to community use of the building; <p> In favour: 30 <br>Against: 0 <br>Abstentions: 6 <br>PASSED <p> <p>(4) to facilitate more effective cooperation between current (e.g., Community Education at Parkside) and potential local users of the Howard Mallett Centre (e.g., individual Petersfield residents, local groups, PACT itself) <p> In favour: 30 <br>Against: 2 <br>Abstentions: 6 <br>PASSED <p> <p>(5) to restore the Howard Mallett Centre to the purpose for which it was originally funded, built and intended: namely as a community-oriented not-for-profit centre dedicated to providing sports, leisure and social facilities on a not-for-profit basis, for the benefit of local residents of all ages. <p> In favour: 40 <br>Against: 0 <br>Abstentions: 1 <br>PASSED <p> <p>Finally, this Meeting records <p>(6) its eagerness to participate in the management of a genuine community centre. <p>In favour: 27 <br>Against: 0 <br>Abstentions: 4 <br>PASSED <p> <p>A proposal was made that the meeting record its concern at the high level of homelessness in Cambridge, and its wish for greater appropriate provision for homeless people: this was approved by 25 people, with 2 nays, and 8 abstentions. <p> <p>15. The meeting was closed at 9:20 with a reminder that all are invited to the bring & share community party on 2nd December, and the announcement of the Survey Prize Draw winner. <p> <b> Next community party: Thursday 2nd December 1999, 7:30 pm</b><br> <p>Be there!</p> </td></tr> </table> </body> </html>