Thanet Nature Conservation Umbrella Group

MINUTES OF THE CLOSED EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY. 29th NOVEMBER 2001 AT THE WALPOLE BAY HOTEL. CLIFTONVILLE

1. PRESENT
Jack Cohen, Nigel Collingwood, Alisdair Bruce, John Roland, Andy Farrall, Joe Gaugas, David Britton, and Bernard Clayson.

2. APOLOGIES
Gerry O'Donnell and Wendy Carr.

 3. MINUTES
The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on the 12th November 2001 were circulated as they indicate clear guidelines for the ensuing year.

MATTERS ARISING
It was felt that when we publish our executive meetings, they would in future be described as open or closed meetings, but that the voting should generally be restricted to executive members. The Chairman said that he had raised several matters that arose from the AGM with Trevor Herron, asking for a comprehensive reply. There was discussion about the Turner/Margate Pier project and hopefully the issues raised would be resolved when Mr Herron answered.

4. THE PAST AND FUTURE OF TNCUG
The Chairman felt that the group had managed to raise its profile over the last year and had helped to keep environmental concerns in front of TDC. The Chairman confinned the Council now had full representation at the Local Agenda 21 meetings but this was not politically balanced.

5. WHAT DO WE HOPE TO ACHIEVE
The meeting felt that we should continue raising the profile ofTNCUG and to keep the Council aware of our environmental concerns. This applied equally to KCC and other bodies.

6. PROJECTS
Nigel Collingwood felt that we should group some of our projects together in order to create a larger impact. 

• WASTE DISPOSAL
  The Chairman had approached KCC about recycling for Kent.
  ACTION: Nigel Collingwood and Andy Farrell would form a sub committee to deal with waste disposal recycling/prevention.
• PEGWELL
  Alisdair Bruce agreed that he would handle this project.
• CONSERVATION
  There was some discussion about using the resource of the LA21 office in Margate for a library etc. It was decided to investigate this further. Nigel Collingwood felt that we needed to involve schools with conservation issues and suggested that he would fund some prizes for a competition on environmental matters.
  ACTION:
  Nigel Collingwood and Alisdair Bruce would handle this project.
• SEWAGE DISPOSAL
  The Committee felt that the Foreness Point Action Group is doing a good job but that it also helped if the TNCUG encouraged TDC not to sell the land involved.
• MANSTON AIRPORT
  ACTION:
  The TNCUG would send a letter to both MPs regarding the apparent inadequacies of the Environmental Impact Statement produced by Arthur D Little for the Wiggins Group, outlining possible mistakes and errors included within.
• PLANNING
  The Chairman expressed concern that many members of the public considered the site meetings of the Planning Committee were a waste of time, as it appeared to them that little heed was paid to public. opinion.
  ACTION: TNCUG would make representations as and when developments were brought before the group.
• THE LOCAL PLAN
  The Chairman felt that many unfortunately considered the Local Plan is largely window dressing but the time for representation at this stage of the plan was past.

SPEAKERS
Joe Gaugas suggested that Peter Bartingale and Brian Yeoman of the Foreness Point Action Group would like the opportunity to address the next open meeting.
It was accepted that this would be restricted to 15 minutes with a further 5 minutes for questions afterwards. Also other speakers would be arranged as and when they become available. (Tony Childs was suggested for a later meeting.)

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS & FUND RAISING
For the present we should leave this in abeyance.

OUR RELIANCE ON TDC
It was felt that this was not really a problem at present and the help most appreciated.

10. FURTHER SPECIFIC ROLES FOR EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
It was agreed that David Britton would approach Mike Pierce of The Thanet Gazette and ask if it would be possible for TNCUG to produce a regular environmental piece for the paper, say monthly/bi-monthly.

11. COMMUNICATIONS
Bernard Clayson was asked about producing a web site for the Group. Bernard explained some of the intricacies involved in producing a web site and incorporating a discussion group.

ACTION: Bernard would temporarily incorporate TNCUGs web within the Planet-Thanet site. Alisdair Bruce proposed that Bernard Clayson should be Co-opted onto the Executive Committee as the Groups Web Organiser, this was seconded by David Britton, and was passed unanimously.

12. CONSTITUTION
The constitution was studied and it was felt that we need some constitutional guidelines regarding voting.
ACTION: Bernard Clayson would send the Executive Committee an electronic copy for consideration/amendment.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Concern was expressed about the number of trees being lost in Thanet, but no conclusion was reached. Consideration was given to TNCUG becoming a registered charity and it was decided to continue this item at the next meeting.

The following dates were set for 2002 open meetings all being held on Thursdays at the Walpole Bay Hotel, Cliftonville at 7 p.m:

• 14th February 1
• 11th April
• 6th June
• 8th August
• 3rd October
• 5th December (AGM)

The meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.

To find out more about Thanet Nature Conservation Umbrella Group (TNCUG) Tel/Fax 01843 847421 or Email