BARROW TRANSPORT GROUP MEMBERS

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Informal General Board Meeting

Minutes of Meeting  - Friday 7th February 2003

 Held at:            St James’s Church Centre, Barrow-in-Furness

 Present:            Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, two other members of the committee and 21 members.

 Apologies:        One member of committee and eight members

 1.                     Discussion on frequency of newsletters.

                        The Chairman commented that he recognised the importance of the newsletters in keeping members informed of progress and of events in particular and apologised for their irregularity.    A note, received from a member, was read out in which he expressed concern at the lack of information on trips.    The Treasuerer commented on the importance of encouraging interest from members through the newsletter but emphasising that these had to be produced regularly to be effective.     Several members present suggested that an “interim” newssheet could be produced, possibly monthly, leaving the main newsletter to be produced as at present approx. two or three issues per year.     The Secretary suggested that those members who had access to e-mail could be informed via that method rather than posting which was a considerable expense.

                        Resolved:         That the “committee” should look at newsletter/news-sheet production/distribution in more detail and that the soon to be published rally lists should be consulted as the basis for events in 2003 and these to form and element of the next newsletter.

2.                     Committee Expansion

                       The Chairman explored the issue of whether the “committee” needs to be expanded and expertise broadened and the meeting was reminded of the structure of the group with a Board of Directors.    The view of the meeting was that this should occur and the Chairman also emphasised the importance that business meeting being held regularly.    The meeting was informed that anyone could attend such meeting if they so wished and additional input would be welcomed.

                        Resolved:         That the Board should meet regularly, probably monthly, and should relay appropriate information to members via the newsletter or newssheet.   It was also resolved that anyone who wished to have a regular input into Board meetings should be co-opted onto the Board.

3.                     Subscriptions.       

                       This was an important issue, which the Chairman wished to explore in some depth.    In general, the members present felt that the current fee of £5 was too low and that this should be increased to £10.     The Secretary pointed out that most members additional gave a donation and he hoped that such an increase would not have a negative effect.   It was also suggested that a new fixed date should be adopted and the 1st of April was suggested as being the most suitable.  The Secretary commented that the reason no reminders had been sent out was that these were normally sent with the autumn newsletter.  The members present endorsed these suggestions and asked the Board to consider introducing payment by standing order.    A brief discussion on premises insurance was held and it was acknowledged that some “working members” had contributed to the cost of this in the previous year.    It was, however, decided that the most appropriate approach is to continue with this cost being met by the vehicle owners or supporters as it was considered unfair to ask “volunteers” to also contribute to these costs.

                         Resolved:         That a new subscription rate of £10 per annum be introduced from April 1st 2003.  Anyone joining or renewing prior to that date will have his or her membership extended to 31st March 2004.   Payment facilities by Standing Order are to be introduced.

4.                     “Why has nothing been happening with the collection?”   

                        This question was explored by the Chairman who pointed out that there are eleven vehicles being stored.      He also wished to place on record the support given by Mr A N Other and Other Group Limited.    A brief update on the status and current activity surrounding each vehicle followed including the vast amount of recent work on Leyland National No. 9.      It was also suggested that, as a prime focus, Leyland Atlantean No. 104 (acquired by a consortium in October 2002) should be repainted for Easter.    This was enthusiastically endorsed by the members present and work is to begin straightaway with the re-introduction of the Sunday working parties from the 9th February.     In general, it was felt that tasks on vehicle restoration should be split so that no-one would be left out but avoiding the problem of too many people trying to do the same job on one vehicle.   Additional forthcoming work includes the completion of No. 9 and a new MOT fro No. 170 – again for Easter – as well as the Talbot.     It was pointed out that not much had been progressed with No. 147, which the Chairman felt was the most important vehicle in the collection.      There remained the problem over an engine and gearbox, the originals being in No. 169, and it was suggested that this matter should be explored further with a view to acquiring the engine and gearbox on offer at present and for which a limited amount of funding has been received.

                        Resolved:         To re-start the regular working parties from 9th February and to concentrate on the repainting of No. 104 with a target date of Easter.   To acquire an engine and gearbox for No. 1467/169 as soon as possible.

5.                     There was a discussion on events.        

                       A number of requests to “hire” vehicles were received throughout the year and in general these were turned down, an example being that from the organisers of the North Lonsdale Show.    Local events that raised funds for other societies, such as the annual RNLI Gala Day or were supporting the town through events such as the Submarine Centenary in 2001 would continue to be supported by the Group.   There was, however, an insurance cost although this had been made easier by recent changes on the part of the vehicles’ insurers.   It was also mentioned that some events were becoming increasing difficult to participate in due to a lack of members being available to help.   It was hoped that members would continue to help in this regard whenever possible.

                        Resolved:         That the Group would continue to have a strong presence supporting local events and activities.

6.                     “Does the Group have too many vehicles”.  

                       This question was explored briefly and the view expressed by the Chairman was that if a vehicle was acquired by an individual or consortium it would not be a problem to store it under the present arrangements provided the costs were met by the owners.    The existing premises were felt to be better than many of the facilities used by other bus groups and the costs were about average for an equivalent space elsewhere.   It was noted that a long-term aim would be for the Group to own its premises but it was felt that this goal was not realistic in the short-term.      Recent vehicles offered or mentioned included the ex-Cumberland Leyland Titan TD4 of 1936, at present in Yorkshire and which the Chairman had been looking to possibly bring to Barrow on loan.    A member commented that No. 72, the only surviving Leyland Leopard L1 from Barrow, was a prime candidate for return to the town as was No. 106 which was numerically the last of the batch of three Atlanteans bought new by the Borough and which had recently been repainted by its owners, Silver Fox of Renfrew.    The Secretary also mentioned that he had been attempting to follow up reports of Leopard No. 60 and possible one other from the same batch.     The position of the Bedford YMT offered free by ****** was also queried although it was pointed out that not enough people had been available to commit to its acquisition at present.

                        Resolved:         That the Group continues to explore the availability of vehicles and seeks support from members as appropriate but that priority in restoration and funding must be given to the vehicles already in the Group’s care.

7.                     Charitable status.      

                       The aim of the Group acquiring charitable status was explored and the view endorsed that this should be pursued.    It was pointed out that the original aim of this activity was to ensure that the Group would be in the most favourable position to benefit from rate relief on buildings and would be able to reclaim tax from subscriptions and donations.    The Secretary explained that this was why the Group had adopted the broad constitution of a company limited by guarantee – as had the Keighley, Ribble and Lancastrian groups – as a first step in this aim.     A member commented on the need to resolve several important issues in this regard and in particular the relationship between the “Trust” and the individual owners that could be established through a loan agreement.    There was also in issue concerning public access, which could be achieved in a number of ways some of which were already being done through the attendance at local events, but in general this needed to be expanded.   It was also recognised that changes would be required to the Trust’s structure and the Chairman hoped that advice could also be sought from the Ribble groups and others who hade overcome such difficulties.    The Chairman welcomed the member’s input and hoped that he would be able to pursue these issues towards a successful outcome.

                        Resolved:         To pursue charitable trust status ASAP and with appropriate changes as necessary.   To co-opt Mr ****** onto the Board to help facilitate this activity.

8.                     Fundraising.    

                       This activity was explored in some detail with the general view that the Group does not do sufficient fundraising at present.      The sales stock, although moderately successful, is becoming “tired” although mug sales have been continuing.     A sales stand to be used at the larger rallies would be made available by the Chairman to allow a greater range of items such as magazines and memorabilia to be sold.   The important point that at external events more general and non-Barrow specific items should be available was made.    It was also felt that any fundraising should focus on a specific need such as the restoration on No. 147 to encourage maximum support.      The suggestion of more social gatherings with raffles and quiz nights to raise funds received a strong endorsement.

                        Resolved:         To focus fundraising on a specific project-led need and to develop sales activity to appeal to a more general enthusiast rather than Barrow-specific audience.   To also develop more social events to encourage fundraising from within.

9.                     Trips and events.    

                       These were considered to be a highlight of the Group’s activities but it was recognised that attending the same events every year was receiving less and less support.   It was suggested, therefore, that new events should for the basis of 2003’s calendar and the following were put forward.    Wirral Bus & Tram Show; Meadowhall (Sheffield) event; Heaton Park/Trans Lancs. Rally; Dumfries Rally; Showbus (Duxford).    As well as these, there would be an attendance at Tram Sunday as well as possible excursions to Beamish and to Crich which were felt to offer a complete experience in their own right.   Wherever possible (e.g., at Meadowhall) an alternative to the rally site would be available through combining the venue with opportunities for shopping or a city visit.      It was noted that the Ribble Group would be having a running day to mark the closure of Chorley Bus Station.   The FMRC Easter Exhibition would be a major activity as usual and would include free bus trips provided by (hopefully) the Atlantean and No. 170 as well as a trade stand and exhibition area.    It was suggested by the Chairman that a major effort should be made to display objects as well as photographs.    An offer was received from a member to produce a photographic presentation on lap top/video projector for the Easter event for which he was thanked by the Chairman.

                        Resolved:         To expand the trips programme with emphasis on new venues and opportunities for non-enthusiast participation.   For the FMRC event, the committee was asked to look into creating a more exciting display.

10                    The Chairman asked if there were any other views or comments from the members present.  

                      A member said that he hoped there would be more regular news bulletins available in future and stressed the importance of being consistent about this.  A member  also commented that the frequency of the business meetings of the Group should be made more regular.     It was also suggested that increased use could be made of the web site and the Chairman said that he would ask the webmaster if he would provide such a bulletin service.   In addition, it was felt that there should be more general social gatherings and it seemed as if a Friday evening would be well attended.    The following dates, of the last Friday in each month, were put forward.   These are 28th March, 25th April, and 23rd May.   The committee were asked to look into planning the content of each and with the possibility of a quiz at the first of these.

                        Resolved:         To pursue the above issues and to set up a regular series of social gatherings.     To re-introduce monthly Board meetings, the content and resolutions of which would be made available to all members.

                        For anybody with internet access there is a “Yahoo Group” for the Barrow Transport Group, this is for the posting of messages, photographs or indeed anything of interest to group members. This can be found at …..

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Barrow_transport/