Held at the Lilac Room, Seddon House. Wednesday May 11 2016, 7.30 pm
Members present: Tim Macer (603) Chair; Renu Gupta (534) Jean Soames (702) Tessa Mongomery (706) Maureen Tuffs (535) Len Matthews (717) Jill Black and Richard McCombe (116) Dafne Ter-Sakarian and Graham Fowles (713) James Prentice (312) John Barker (319) Nick Astbury (522) Petre Reid (524) Cameron Barlow (330) Paul Horsnell (326) James Watson (513) Amanda Renshaw and Peter Davenport (710) Guillaume Tellet (302) Steve Nicholson (540) Cliff Purchase (526) Caroline and Michael Swash (106) Valerie Mills (120) Helen Kay (403).
1 Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Hilary Sunman (124) Mahesh Patil (534) Nicholas Redman (113) Anthony Sweeney (313) Liz Hirst (724) Caroline Bennett (527) Chris Parkin (604) Simon Stoye (722) McGettingan and Friel (341) Stuart and Mazine Adams (103) Anne Mann (333) Ian Williams (111) P McGettigan (341) M Temple (202).
- Minutes of the last AGM held on Wednesday April 27 2015
The minutes were read, and accepted as a true record.
- Matters Arising
There were no matters arising not covered by the agenda.
5 Chair’s Report
The Chair gave a brief summary of the activities of the committee. Four meetings were held this year. Committee members had represented Willoughby House on The Barbican Association (Helen and Tim), Residents Consultative Committee (Michael) and the Barbican Liaison Committee (Valerie). The Chair paid tribute to those who had also attended meetings with local developers.
When problems had arisen during the previous year, members of the Willoughby House Group had assisted in supporting several initiatives designed to safeguard or enhance life on the Estate. This year, committee members had successfully assisted in preventing the implementation of a troublesome street exit (Wagamama) and in encouraging wiser alcohol use (WeWork). Indeed it was felt that preventing the Wagmama street exit had established an important Moor Lane precedent. Light levels at night and intrusive noise from nearby building sites continued, however, to be a matter of concern.
- Treasurer’s Report
Petre Reid revealed that the Group’s financial position was still healthy with a savings balance of roughly £2000. He noted that the only major expense was the Summer Party to be held this year on July 9. He observed that our House Group was one of the most active and reminded members that all reasonable office expenses were reimbursed by the Corporation.
The financial statements appear on pages 4-5
7 Election of the Committee for 2015/16
The following residents offered to serve as committee members:
Renu Gupta, Helen KayR, Valerie MillsR, Petre ReidR, Hilary Sunman, Caroline SwashR and Paul Horsnell
R Previously serving committee members seeking re-election
As the constitution permits the AGM to elect up to seven members to the committee, the election was therefore uncontested. The Chair proposed that the meeting elect all proposed candidates, which was seconded by Petre Reid and agreed unanimously.
Tim Macer, Michael Swash, Nazar Sayigh and Mahesh Patel had all informed the secretary that they were willing to be co-opted to the committee. The Chair said this would be taken as business to the first committee meeting, which has the power to co-opt further committee members.
- Membership resolutions
The following two resolutions had been circulated to members in advance of the meeting
- “That each flat within Willoughby House will be granted membership of Willoughby House Group until the next AGM, unless the owner or tenant notifies the Hon Secretary in writing that he or she does not wish to be a member during this period.”
Proposed by T Macer and seconded by M Swash.
- “That the annual membership subscription which was £0.00 (no charge) previously, shall be retained at the same rate for a further year.”
Resolution proposed by P Reid and seconded by H Kay.
Both resolutions were carried nem. con. by the meeting present. However John Barker made a personal objection on principal to ‘opting in’ automatically. He did agree however that in the case of Willoughby House this system worked well.
Luke Barton then spoke warmly and informatively about his work as House Officer for Willoughby House, and answered questions from the floor.
Further discussion included difficulties experienced by residents in obtaining help for damage (probably) caused by tunneling during the construction of Crossrail. Other concerns included the right to compensation for loss of light caused by the height of the new developments. The Chair suggested further discussion at subsequent meeting.
The date of the Summer Party was discussed with preference expressed for an early July date
The meeting closed at 9.00 pm.