Meeting Minutes 4th June 2008
Meeting 04 June 2008
Minutes (taken by Kristin Vogel.)
Attendance:
Raymond Green
Richard Nulty
Liz Oades
Elaine Silverwood
Doug Walker
Peter Hardy
Kerry McKracken
Sue Raynor
Francis McCaffery
Kristin Vogel
Paul Mason
David Croft
Later on:
Rosemary Horan
Apologies:
Miranda Cox
1) Raymond Green to give account of the meeting between him, Richard Nulty and Council officers:
• Debate was opened at the meeting with the assumption that Kirkham Baths would receive an initial investment of £160K from the Council which equates to the amount of money it would have cost the Council to shut the pool.
• It was underlined that the Baths are anticipating a subsidy by the Council as £120K are necessary per year to run the pool
• Council mentioned “assets” as financial sources for the Baths; yet, the group identified them rather as “liabilities” than assets. Exact definition of the assets was not given.
• Kirkham & Rural Splash Group announced the presentation of a business plan
2) Liz Oades & Raymond Green met with YMCA John Cronen and outlined the results of the meeting:
• YMCA announced they are willing to work with us in “whatever way” is sensible or possible. They will lend us their expertise and would help us to run the Baths.
3) Richard Nulty outlined a few points re our work ahead:
• He confirmed there is no issue for a charitable trust to take over the Baths
• However, there is an issue concerning the terms and conditions the staff will employed under ? Richard emphasized the need for involving the Bath’s staff in this process
• Richard suggested to bring forward the business plan asap – before September 2008
• Another issue he outlined is the VAT liability for a charitable trust with “commercial operation”
4) Liz Oades:
• Reported about LGA meeting where the Chester & District Sports & Recreation Trust offered her their full support of our Baths in any way possible
• Liz stressed the necessity of tapping into grants NOW in order to buy into expertise much needed to take this project further quickly
5) Raymond Green:
• Bank account hasn’t been opened yet. Raymond to open asap. Signatures for bank account may be given by: Liz Oades, Elaine Silverwood, Richard Nulty, Francis McCaffery, Raymond Green
• Liz confirmed on this note the urgency of a bank account as she knows that some grant holders are “just waiting for our approach”
• Raymond to draft “informal” mini constitution for next meeting
6) Further points discussed regarding the business plan needed:
• Business Plan is aiming for £200K
• Baths group to raise an extra £60K
• Overhaul of staffing structure needed
• Constant & increased advertising necessary
• Savings for the pool discussed (e.g. cover for the pool to retain heat of water; turning halogen lights off during day time; opening baby pool only during certain time windows or closing it all together)
• Survey amongst current Baths users, staff and locals necessary (Kerry McKracken & Kristin Vogel volunteered for the task)
• Option discussed to consider model where YMCA acts as umbrella institution and a charitable trust as managing body of the Baths
7) Sue Raynor from the Kirkham Baths added a few points to the discussion:
• Since David Parker from the YMCA has taken on the Baths in Kirkham, advertising has significantly increased and is constantly being pushed. Suddenly the Baths regain a place on the community’s agenda.
• She also pointed out a concern – Kirkham Baths (& associated Baths staff as well) will face the redundancy choice one again by the end of 2008-06-12
8) Fundraising Events & Media Coverage:
• DISCO – Saturday 26 July – having our own bar was suggested to increase takings on the night. Peter to settle & confirm. Peter also to advertise the event in Kirkham & Wesham Advertiser. Kristin/Elaine to create ad for him. Kristin/Elaine to design & print tickets.
• CABARET NIGHT – suggestion was very well received by group and would be a great event idea for another fundraising evening this summer
• Liz Oades has been and will be interviewed by newspapers. She stressed the point that we should at least have a work-in-progress logo in order to get it out and amongst the public.
At the end of the meeting, different colour logo options were presented and a green logo was chosen to move forward with.
The point was stressed by the group that we need to get on with things – individual initiatives are demanded rather than time consuming group agreements. Results are always to be reported to the group.
Next meeting scheduled for: 8th July, Kirkham Community Centre
(NB. Original minute changed to the 8th authorised by Liz Oades)