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Petersfield Area
Community Trust

AGM - 14th Nov 2007 - Minutes

Present: Richard Allen, Daniel Gordon, Shirley Whitehouse, Cyril Offley, Tony Males, see attendance list.
Apologies: Anna Lindsay, Naomi Chapman, Glenys Malyon, Dorothy Runnicles

1. Welcome and Minutes of the last AGM

Richard opened the meeting at 7:45pm. He welcomed the attendees and ask them to peruse the minutes of the last AGM. There were no objections to the minutes.

2. Chair's report

Richard gave his chair's report: 

  Good evening everyone. My thanks to you all for coming along to be with us
  this evening. Before I comment on the last year of PACT's activity, I want
  to share with you now what we have in store for you in the Public meeting
  that follows our AGM.
  We have assembled here, in this newly refurbished hall, some of the best
  service providers that operate in Petersfield. Each organisation has very
  kindly provided one or more representatives who will 'showcase' their
  business and answer any questions that you may raise. This will be done as
  informally as possible by encouraging the audience to mingle around the hall
  and engage with the people on the stands as they wish. Refreshments will be
  laid on by us and by some of the stands, so please do enjoy yourselves and
  make the most of what we believe will be a very special evening.
  OK. Down to business. Last year, I spoke at length about the concerns
  raised about the proposed development of St Matthew's Piece.  If you
  remember, Citylife's plans for an innovation centre were approved in Oct 2006
  by the Planning Committee of the City Council. PACT vowed to challenge that
  decision by whatever legal means we could muster... and after a lot of
  research and professional guidance, we found ourselves a first class
  environmental solicitor, Richard Buxton, based here in Cambridge. He
  presented a challenge to the City Council over 4 issues, resulting in the
  Council admitting defeat in 2 of them.
  This astounding turnaround led to the planning decision being quashed. We
  are still waiting for the Council to hear the same plans again, which is part
  of the required legal process that they have to follow. This should have
  happened by now, but I believe the Planning Dept. is still assembling their
  report. So on this issue, we are still waiting for the case to be presented.
  Hopefully, this time ALL relevant factors will be taken into consideration
  and we hope to get the permission denied once and for all.
  To underline our case, we have reminded the City Council that they have a
  'Duty of Care' towards the residents that they represent... a duty that they
  cannot ignore in favour of the pursuit of business interests. The needs of
  everyone for open space, in what can only be described as a densely populated
  area, must be recognised and not ignored.
  Other planning issues are also of interest. The Young Street site has seen
  new proposals put forward by a developer hoping to build student
  accommodation on the site. PACT management committee were invited to an
  informal meeting some weeks ago. The plans are interesting but opinions were
  starkly divided, and PACT is therefore remaining absolutely neutral about the
  development. We will encourage residents to voice their own opinions.
  Older Peoples' activities in the Petersfield area have improved even further
  over the year. They now include a monthly lunch organised by St Matthews
  Church. This originated in the Petersfield Celebrates Age programme last
  year.
  Intergenerational events have been popular & PACT in conjunction with the
  Brunswick Nursery School again held a successful All Age Tea Party in October
  as part of the Celebrating Age Programme.
  I would like to remind you that all are welcome to come to the weekly
  exercise class hosted by the Petersfield Active Ageing Group (PAAG) & to the
  Friday morning Over 50s Club. The Cherry Trees Centre, which benefits local
  people in a number of ways, is now being well used.
  All ages enjoyed the magnificent summer event organised by PACT. This year's
  Tombola was even bigger and better organised and boasted some amazing prizes.
  I had great pleasure in helping people to find their prizes, especially the
  lady who'd won the main prize... a computer supplied by Reboot.  She was
  truly delighted. I want to thank Anna Lindsay for her outstanding effort in
  organising the whole event. She's unable to join us here this evening, but
  her efforts put over £300 towards community centre funds. She sends her
  apologies and her warm greetings to us all, and looks forward to seeing
  everyone at next year's Summer Event at the latest, which promises to be even
  bigger and better even than this year's, given, for the first time, the
  active support and involvement of both ARU and St.Matthew's School!
  I would also like to thank the large number of local businesses who
  contributed both prizes and food and drink to make PACT's 2007 summer event
  very special indeed.
  As you now know, PACT has become a registered Charity. It was an important
  goal for us, as it has brought us one step closer to becoming an incorporated
  body, giving us a legal status whereby we can take on the lease of the
  proposed Community Centre.
  The Centre is, I'm pleased to announce, closer than even we had hoped.  We
  have discovered that we will have an important neighbour in adjacent
  buildings... the Citizen's Advice Bureau.  They are planning to be in their
  part of the development by 2009. One of the last existing businesses to be
  re-housed has just got planning permission to move to Cherry Hinton, thus
  bringing the development one step closer.
  This means that our Community Centre should also be ready for us in 2009. We
  have, as you know, been raising funds towards it for several years. Over the
  next two years, we will raise our game and start sourcing funding from
  further afield.
  I invite you all to get involved in any way that you can. PACT is short of
  people who have the energy to carry this project forward. We are looking for
  Trustees to oversee its running and who can promote its use and make it the
  success that it deserves to be. So this means YOU: come and get involved at
  whatever level you feel comfortable, and become a part of this fantastic
  opportunity to build our future. There are no superheroes in our team:
  there's no requirement for amazing talents (though of course amazing talents
  are equally welcome!!), just anyone willing to share enthusiasm and
  action. We're simply ordinary people involved in an extraordinary venture:
  come and share our journey!
  On a final note, I want to thank Glenys Malyon for her guidance and wisdom in
  the running of PACT. It is likely that she will be taking a 'back seat' over
  the next year due to health issues that have held her back this year. Glenys
  has shown great courage and spirit... if you ever wanted a local hero, then
  Glenys gets my vote.
  Thank you.
Richard also thanked those who came to give displays. His report was greeted with applause.

3. Treasurer's Report

The accounts were perused by those present. They have not been ratified. Richard announce that Glenys Malyon was prepared to be treasurer for the coming year.

4. Elections

Richard gave a brief description of what being a member of the management committee involved. Philly Owles agreed to join the management committee. Richard then described the job of the sub-committees, and asked people to offer their services.

5. AOB

Kevin Blencowe said that PACT does a great job and thanked the committee members for their hard work.

Public Meeting

Around the hall were displays from 8 local organisations on the theme of "Petersfield's Finest: what's here for you". Attendees at the meeting then mingled around the stalls for about 40 minutes. The organisations were:

  • ChYpPs - Children and Young People's Participation Service
  • mill-road.com
  • Energy Saving Trust
  • Lifecraft
  • New Street Allotments
  • Age Concern
  • City Council Rangers
  • City Council (cycling)

Richard then wrapped up the proceedings by asking for comments on the meeting. John Kirkham liked the format of the whole meeting. The formal part was short and then people had a chance to see whatever they wanted. John also offered a vote of thanks to the tea makers.

The meeting closed at 9:52pm.