Community Association Committee

Welcome
Caroline opened the meeting, welcoming everyone, especially Jill Vedebrand and Charlie Cairns, who were attending the meeting, representing the 'Woodlands Project Group'.

Apologies for Absence
Apologies were accepted on behalf of Jenny McGee, Sharon Black and Stephen Renton.

Acceptance of Previous Minutes
The meeting passed acceptance of the previous minutes on the proposal of Liz. Canning, and seconded by Kirsty Donnelly.

Woodlands Project - Jill Vedebrand and Charlie Cairns
In her opening remarks, Jill referred to the meeting to be held, in the Community Centre on Sunday, 12th May, to discuss the Woodlands Project. The meeting would start at 7pm approx. It was intended to lay the hall out, late afternoon, about 4.30pm - any volunteers to help should come along. Alison Battley said she had four volunteers to hand out the forms. Jill went on to indicate the general format of the meeting, mentioning the various people making up the top table, including our treasurer Finlay McFee, who would be chairing the meeting.

Charlie Cairns mentioned he had been involved with similar type projects in the past, and felt that they were on 'pretty strong ground', however he fully expected some people would attend the meeting with their own strong views on the subject. The object of the meeting, in his mind was to try to get the concensus of opinion from those attending, and hopefully carry the project forward from there.

Charlie highlighted that his main reason for attending tonight's meeting was he felt when applying for grants, the project may need 'some sort of community vehicle'. He had in the past applied for grants and been refused, because he had applied personally and not through a locally based group. At the moment, Jill's 'Woodlands Action Group' were not fully set up, with a constitution, etc., and the application would probably be better coming from the likes of the community association.

Caroline, interceded at this point, saying she thought we may have a problem. In her view, this association is set up as a management committee for the hall, and while the community as a whole may benefit from the project, our remit was first and foremost the running of the community centre. Caroline said her own personal view was that any applications for grants, would be better coming from 'WAGS' rather than our association. It would also have an adverse effect for any applications we, as an association might make for funding if we were closely linked to any applications for grants for the project. George felt that the association was finding it very difficult to house the current user groups at present, regarding storage etc. He also felt that at present, we were finding it very difficult to get grants as we were not considered as an 'under privileged' area, therefore we were not exactly at the head of the queue for grants. A priority for us, as Finlay knows, is some sort of extension to the centre for storage purposes.

Jill Vedebrand said the last thing she wanted to do was to handicap our organisation. Charlie said after gathering the relevant information from the questionnaires, he would probably apply for grant funding in his own name.

A general discussion on the subject, then developed. Finlay explaining the Community Council's position regarding the woodlands project, he felt that WAGS needed a home and the association was the only other organisation available. Finalising the subject, Caroline asked those present if anyone was against the project. The committee indicated they were in general terms 100% in favour of it. Charlie Cairns at this point, excused himself and left the meeting. Jill elected to stay at Caroline's invitation.

Treasurer's Report
Finlay in his report said he was 'pretty close to a final figure', on how financially we had done in the last year. The good news was we had made a surplus of around £9,000. The overall events financing had more of less broken even. Money had been transferred into the accounts from other funds from previous user groups, £700 from the fireworks, £613 from the youth strategy group and £1500 from the old 10-14 youth club, a total of £2,800. Finlay explained this amount is incorporated in the £9,000, shown previously. Also included in this figure was a £1,000 grant from the council and £525 payback from BT for making a mess of the 'phone line. The Wemyss Bay News had made a profit of around £800, this was down slightly on the previous year.

The Community Centre, which the Treasurer had forecast a 'core running cost' of around £3,500. He felt this figure was more or less 'bang on', with the water figure being the one exception, this had been totally unexpected. However the budget had been able to cover the water bill as well.

The total 'lets' for the whole year was somewhere around £8,000. Half of this figure was the nursery let. There may be a few small changes to the final figures. Namely if anyone had any expenses outstanding for the past year, could they let him know, before he drafted out the final figures. Kirsty apologised for not giving Finlay, the figures for her 'phone bill. The treasurer suggested the figure of £10 a month and Kirsty agreed that may well be about right.

The new tables have been ordered at a cost of £1,448 - this was including VAT. Jill Vedebrand thank the Committee for their donation of £100 and explained what she had used the money for.

Secretary's Report
George explained that this year he had sent out letters to the business sector of the community, seeking sponsorship for the Gala Day. The Committee agreed that the response from the new Spar owner to sponsor the ceilidh band for £350, was fantastic. The secretary said he was still sending out letters and hopefully he would have more good news for the next meeting.

The centre's shutter was still giving user groups problems. George reported he had contacted Ian Dyer, Willie Wilson and Robert Jamieson and they all agreed, something had to be done about it. AABEL Shutter Company had come out to try and fix it. This maintenance man had reported that the 'tension in the shutter was nil' and the lock was broken. He couldn't fit a new lock without stripping the wooden surround. He also agreed in its current state, it was totally unsuitable for women to be lifting it. In the correspondence was an appeal from Macmillan Cancer Relief regarding this year's 'Macmillan Miles Challenge'.

The secretary raised the subject of the bouncy castle, he reported that he had contacted the company who service the castle and told him of the condition of the one in our possession from Cartsdyke Resource Centre. On giving the serial number, he had been told the company who had made the castle no longer exist. Kirsty said she'd had numerous requests for bouncy castle birthday parties.

Letting Report
Kirsty intimated that the lets were still coming in for parties. The Kickboxing class finished so that left us with a Wednesday evening slot from 7.30pm. A Karate class was starting up on Saturdays from 2 to 3.30pm. She also mentioned there were disco parties booked for the next three Saturdays. Key holders were arranged for the disco parties.

Gala Day
Evelyn Ritchie had spoken to George, regarding the Gala Queen, and had been told she could arrange for a 'Gala King and Queen' if that is what they want. A discussion then took place regarding the crowns and other dress for the king and queen. It was suggested that we should ask Bobbie McCabe if she could make the cloaks. Liz Canning agreed to try and source the crowns while on holiday.

Hospital Radio Inverclyde would be in attendance, to play music and make public announcements. Skelmorlie Fire Brigade would be in attendance around 1pm. Various user groups had agreed to perform in the main marquee in the afternoon - the dance class, Brownies, Guides and also the Judo class and the football club had indicated they were keen to get involved. It was agreed that a disco should be provided in the later part of the afternoon.

Alison asked why the biggest event in the year for us, the Gala Day, had not been mentioned in the Village News? Jill Vedebrand said WAGS should probably have a stall. Still to be finalised was someone to run the 'cream teas'. Sian said she thought the Tiny Tots might do the face painting again as they had bought all the proper stuff for it. The general feeling was we should have a balloon race.

The hiring of a candy floss machine for £50, was discussed. It was generally agreed that this was a good idea. It was also agreed to purchase new bunting for the Gala Day. Caroline listed various prices for the hiring of equipment for the day - bouncy castle etc., manned or unmanned. The bouncy castle issue was extensively discussed. Finally Caroline asked for a vote of those in favour of purchasing our own, brand new castle, the committee were unanimously in favour of the purchase. The price to be in the region of £2,000.

Date of next meeting
The date of the next meeting was set for Wednesday, 5th of June, at 7.30pm.

George Anderson,
Secretary.