Time and Location
Wednesday 27thth November 2024 at 7pm at The Cross Keys, Llanfyllin
Present
- Diana Allen
- Lesley Sweet
- Fiona Slater
- Fiona Bridger
- Femke Vorstman
- Alex Gilhespy
- Cassie Hatji
- Jules Bottrill
- Ros Murphy
- Nicola Wheeler
- Shan Mayor
- Jain Downing
- Hilary Cowly Greer
- Emily Mai
- Jeni Trythall
- Jackie Langston
- Maggie Holmes
- Steven Jones
- Danni Klein
- John Dady
- Rob Allen
- Gary Northeast
- Colin Hargis
- Alan Bridger
Apologies
- Alison Alexander
Minutes of the last AGM
Presented in advance with the agenda. No discussion or objections.
Chair’s Report & Financial Statement
The Chair’s Report (provided separately) was passed around with the financial statement, and there was time for questions and discussion. The community garden finances were not included and will follow shortly.
There was particular discussion and clarification around the costs of setting up and running the Library of Things. This led to a discussion about the costs of insurance more generally. The main purpose of the insurance and main areas of cover are for public liability and employer’s liability.
There was agreement that the new committee will need to look at how we apportion the costs of the insurance to various projects (with the exception of the Repair Cafe, which is separately insured by Repair Cafe Wales). Diana has already made a request to Benthyg Cymru, the library of things network to look at providing group cover for libraries of things, similar to Repair Cafe Wales – this may bear fruit in time. Currently, the cost of the insurance is covered by the bulk grant provided by Cae Post, which also pays for the Library of Things setup and running costs. There was some discussion around the ongoing costs of the Library of Things, and how this could become financially self-sufficient, perhaps by increasing loan costs, asking for donations, purchasing higher value items, increasing borrowing, and membership costs. Shan Mayor offered to help promote the Library of Things on digital displays at the Cross Keys.
There was also discussion of peer-to-peer lending in the context of the Library of Things, and Benthyg’s recommendation to promote Olio. Other possibilities such as an ad hoc WhatsApp group were also discussed.
There was discussion about the need for a paid coordinator role. The community garden has struggled to keep volunteers this year, and Theresa has had to step down as garden coordinator. The garden could benefit from someone with more time to ensure that jobs are done and volunteers know what they’re doing. There were comparisons to Babbinswood Farm where a paid coordinator has had a lot of success. Femke volunteered that she has expertise around recruitment and is happy to help think about what the coordinator role might look like and consider how to recruit candidates.
There followed discussion about Y Pantri, where the plan is to keep it going until June. There have been regular meetings and visits to similar community food hubs, but only a handful of people coming in with food. One of the team was trying to get a list of holiday lets in the area so that these can be marketed to. There seems not to be a lot of surplus food around, which may be a plus (if there is little food waste in the area), but means that Y Pantri struggles: the fridge is almost always empty; there is a steady turnover of dried food. There is a clear need from people wishing to access food, but little available. There is discussion about changing name to the “Surplus Food Hub”, which seems to work well elsewhere.
It was highlighted that the litter picking group has been less active as Anne-Marie has had to spend more time in Newtown. However, this could perhaps be reserved as a regular, but less frequent activity (maybe quarterly).
Election of the Steering Committee
Chair
Alex Gilhespy agree to be chair, proposed by Alan Bridger and seconded by Fiona Slater. Agreed unanimously.
Secretary
Lesley Sweet agreed to be Secretary, proposed by Alan Bridger and seconded by Diana Allen. Agreed unanimously.
Treasurer
Diana Allen agreed to stay on as treasurer, proposed by Alan Bridger and seconded by Lesley Sweet. Agreed unanimously.
Steering committee
The following people were accepted by general consensus:
- Gary Northeast (particularly representing Dol Bron y Gaer)
- Emily Mai (particularly representing the Community Garden)
- Colin Hargis (particularly representing the Repair Cafe and Library of Things)
- Jackie Langston (particularly representing the work on the wildflower verge)
- John Dady (particularly representing Y Pantri)
Lesley will also represent the Forest Garden as part of the steering committee. John will help with research and documentation. Diana will continue as the BRACE representative to PACE ( Powys Action on the Climate Emergency and on the PCC Climate Stakeholder Group). Alex will lead on links to Wales/UK/global initiatives that are relevant to BRACE. Both have committed to share this (often positive) information to the wider BRACE membership.
Any other business
Addressed in the discussion of the Chair’s Report and Financial statement. No further discussion.
Film screening
The consensus was that there was insufficient time for the film screening and that this could wait until a subsequent meeting.