Oakley Green, Fifield and District Community Association Ltd
Association AGM
Grenville Annetts - 08.10.2010
 show PHOTO - Oakley Gree, Fifield & District Community Association Ltd AGM

The Annual General Meeting of the Oakley Green, Fifield and District Community Association Limited took place on Thursday September 23, 2010 at 7:30 pm in Braywood Memorial Hall. Despite the awful weather, there was a good turn out of local residents.

The Agenda covered the Directors Report and Financial Accounts, the Activities of the Association and the Election of Directors of The Association. It was also an opportunity for residents to ask questions and to meet active members of the Association and Committee.

Directors Report - The Chairman (Grenville Annetts) gave a brief history of major events leading up to the formation of the Association on March 3, 2010 and then up to the AGM.

Mar 2008Launch of the Community Action Plan Project
Oct 2008Residents Survey development and distribution
Jan 2009Analysis of Residents Survey data
Feb 2009Website launch (www.ogafcap.co.uk)
Aug 2009Draft Community Action Plan completed
Oct 2009Final public consultation with hogroast
Dec 2009Publication and delivery of Community Action Plan
Dec 2009Publication of first quarterly newsletter

The major Milestones for 2010 have been:

Mar 03Formation Community Association Limited
Mar 11Launch of the Association
June 27Food, Wine & Ales Fair
Sept 23Publication of Local Business Action Plan
Sept 23First Annual General Meeting

The main work of the Association is centred around implementing the 23 Actions identified in the Community Action Plan. There are seven work groups made up of volunteers who meet as and when required. Then, once every two months or so, there is a meeting of all volunteers, with everyone welcome to come along.

In addition, the Committee of the Association meets as and when required and is made up of the four Directors of the Association (Grenville Annetts, Helen Howard, Robin Howard and Louise Shenston) and the work group spokespersons - Robin Howard (Children & Youths), Trudi Knight (Communications), Bill Collier (Community Safety), Barbara Frame & Rod Lord (Environment), Paula Grevett (Local Business), Louise Shenston (Roads & Transport) and Grenville Annetts (Social & Recreational). These have been supported by almost another 30 Volunteers spread across the work groups and helping with activities and events.

Financial Accounts - The Treasurer (Helen Howard) gave a Financial Report for the short period from the formation of the Association on March 3, 2010 to the end of the Financial Year on March 31, 2010.

At the end of the Financial Year, the Association had a small surplus of £106.80.

In a full year, income for the Association is derived from advertising in the quarterly newsletter, social events, memberships, grants and donations. Expenditure is on newsletter printing, annual insurances, social events, hall hire fees, fliers, website domain and hosting, and the AGM.

Activities of the Association - The Chairman then gave a brief description of the activities of the Association by work group. (Fuller updates are given regularly in the quarterly newsletters):-

Children & Youths - family rambles (two) and looking for an open area for public use.

Communications - quarterly newsletters and fliers, website since Feb 2009 and efforts to bring Broadband to the area.

Community Safety - working with our two local NAGs and relocation of Police Surgeries.

Environment - solving local drainage/flooding issues, improving footpaths and bridle paths and litter picking.

Local Business – seventy companies have been identified as operating in our area. Just published the Local Business Action Plan and hoping to start up a local business network.

Roads & Transport - traffic speed reduction across our area, participation in SpeedWatch Scheme and extension of footways.

Social & Recreational - promotion of clubs, venues and activities, organisation of social events (two) and support for Fifield Fun Day

What can you do to help/be involved ? The Chairman said there are many opportunities – including but not limited to, becoming a member of the Association (before the meeting there were 68 households, 89 members and three businesses – more signed up on the night) - join a work group - deliver newsletters - write an article for newsletter - help out at events etc.

Election of Directors - The Chairman advised the AGM that the four existing Directors, appointed initially on formation of the Association in March were now required to stand down at this the first AGM. Nomination forms had been circulated to all members of the Association in advance of the meeting and just four people had been nominated to be Directors for the coming year. Voting took place and the following four Directors were elected, namely: Grenville Annetts - Helen Howard - Robin Howard - Louise Shenston.

The Chairman then invited questions from the floor and responses were given by members of the Committee. The Chairman thanked residents for attending and the Committee and volunteers for their enormous contributions and commitment over past months. Attendees were invited to stay for refreshments and the meeting closed at 8:30 pm.

Grenville Annetts