Pier Trust EGM Minutes

I couldn't make it to the EGM on 10th July, so I asked the Trustees what had happened, and what the results were of any votes that were taken. I got conflicting reports as to whether anything had been sent to some or all of the members. I hadn't received anything, and neither had several other paid-up members.

I knew that one of the motions to be voted on was the election of Trustees. I asked who the Trustees of the HBPT now are. There was no answer. I find this astonishing and disappointing.

The Board should have published the Minutes to the membership within days of the EGM - that's simply courtesy. Given that they hadn't published the Minutes, the reply to any member asking for the identity of the current Trustees should  have been to rattle off their names. Instead, I was told that my request would be considered.

However, the day after threatening to raise the matter of Secret Trustees with the Charity Commission, the Minutes and the identity of the Trustees appeared on the HBPT Facebook page. The Minutes are reproduced below.

The current trustees are:
Doreen Stone - chair
Aileen Barker - membership and lots more
David McCormick - Health and Safety and Events
Lynn Faux-Bowyer - Treasurer
Andrew Cook - CCC appointed trustee - Company Secretary
Joe Howes - CCC appointed trustee - external liaison

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The EGM Minutes

HERNE BAY PIER TRUST
Minutes EGM 10th July 2013 Christchurch Hall Herne Bay

Present: Doreen Stone (Chair)
Aileen Barker
Lynn Faux-Bowyer
Joe Howes
Andrew Cook
David McCormick
Members as recorded on signing in sheet.

Agenda item 1:
Doreen Stone began the update announcement with the fact that the Pier Opening day was attended by the National Piers Society which is very supportive of what was being organised. They also suggested that they may consider holding their next AGM in Herne Bay.

(The meeting was interrupted by the arrival of Andy Newell, former member and trustee. When he was asked to leave because an EGM is open only to members, a member on the floor made a proposal, which was seconded, that the Meeting be suspended until he left followed by a unanimous vote in favour. He did leave and the meeting resumed.)

DS continued with the update – The Trust had been granted a Planning Permit for 18 Retail Huts (an initial 12 to be followed by a further 6). She announced that the Trust had applied for the Lease of the complete platform area now it had been confirmed that the Golf Application would not operate this year. The £2k loan money had generated 1.5 jobs on the Pier so far and one hut owner was already considering employing extra staff to meet demand for teas/cakes etc.

HBPT needed an income of £65,000 to move to the next stage of managing the platform. Work by CCC on renovating the decking where the next 6 huts are to be built would begin in Oct. She suggested the Trust should now plan for an all weather building/structure on the platform which, if it included a heritage and information centre, maybe with a sea- themed attraction? One of our members has suggested approaching RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) to hold a design competition for students of architecture for Herne Bay Pier.

Agenda Item 2: Election of Officers.
There were 2 applicants – Aileen Barker & David McCormick. They both spoke to the Meeting and the voting took place.
Ds informed the meeting and listed the Proxy votes she had received – a total of 24 supporting her choices and 1 against the motions.
Total number of votes possible (incl proxy votes) = 42.
Results: Aileen Barker total in favour - 41
David McCormick total in favour - 41.
Both candidates unanimously elected as HBPT Trustees.

Volunteers- have become essential to the running of the Trust and there was a suggestion from the floor that maybe a 2nd tier of 'management' to work alongside the Board should be considered. This was agreed and that the trust should ask the Charities Commission for advice on this.

Agenda Item 3: This motion was to confirm the ruling in the Articles of Association and the Memorandum of Association the Board of Trustees can operate within the constitutionally specified number of Trustees required at any one time with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 11. This was agreed – 41 for and 1 proxy against.

Agenda Item 4: That the Articles of Association be amended to state that the term of office for non CCC appointees is 3 years and that they must stand for re-election after that period; trustees to be permitted to hold position for a maximum of 3 consecutive terms. This was agreed 41 for and 1 proxy against.

The Chair, Doreen Stone, thanked everyone for attending and hoped they would spread the word on the positive progress of the HBPT. Meeting closed @ 19.55

After the meeting closed some points were raised for Board discussion eg
More notices about activities on pier such as:
- Boards with Hut Vendors names listed
- Large Chalk Boards with notices
- Press releases on regular basis showing how new businesses were being supported and new employment created by the Hut Village
- The importance of integrated community involvement to raise the profile of Herne Bay.

Trust proposes economic vision for future of Herne Bay pier

It was the end of the pier show this week as wreckers finally moved in to start demolishing Herne Bay's Pier Pavilion. But the big question now is: what will replace it?

Members of the town's Pier Trust were given a glimpse into the future at its second annual meeting at Herne Bay Junior School. One of the few suggestions was a marina. Trust treasurer Jason Hollingsworth told the gathering of more than 100 members:

"The original pier, almost a mile long, was built to accommodate steamships. Any replacement must have an economic purpose and be able to provide a long-term revenue stream for the future. A deep water marina is one possibility, but everything is being considered and nothing has been ruled out."

But the marina idea held little water for businesswoman Carol Chance. The health and safety consultant admitted:

"I am a little disappointed, frankly. What's the vision? I'm astounded that there are still only 400 members of the Trust."

She rejected the idea of a marina saying the town could not accommodate larger yachts. Even city council leader John Gilbey admitted:

"Marinas are not famous for making money. And you only have to stand on the end of the current pier to see how shallow the water is. The pier trust is taking exactly the right, methodical approach for the future. We'll see what happens."

The meeting started with a slick video explaining the importance of the pier to the town. Regeneration of the pier is expected to come in two stages. The first will be finding things for the "pier stub" which will be left after the pavilion is knocked down. Heron Conservative councillor Joe Howes said:

"We could have dancing. The town is full of dance schools. We could also pitch a Big Top circus tent there with a Ferris wheel, helter-skelter and stage 'birdman' competitions. This could be a vintage, retro pier with a farmers' market."

The trust is still raising money to carry out another feasibility study and has £15,000 in the bank. Accountant Mr Hollingsworth stressed:

"We don't want to present a half-baked cake and then have it collapse!"

Trustee and original founder Andy Newell said:

"There are a range of funds available. We are hoping to get rent from the windfarm from the Crown Estates. There are EU regeneration funds available. But first we need a very clear business plan and that's what we're working on."

thisiskent 19th Sep 2011

Ban on fishing in Memorial Park pond

There's no plaice for fishing in the Memorial Park pond, according to council bosses. Officials have reeled in permission for people to enjoy the popular pastime after deciding to enforce an ancient byelaw.

New signs were put up around the pond but the move has angered many, including campaigner Andy Newell. He told councillors at a meeting of Herne Bay Area Member Panel that he was dubious the byelaw was valid. He said:

"I have always fished in the park pond and I know other people who have done for years as well. Are you going to ban the activity and not even look at the feeling of the general public?"

Outdoor leisure manager for Canterbury City Council, Richard Griffiths, said:

"We recognised that the byelaws were not being enforced. It's the legal view that these laws mean no fishing in the pond. The byelaw actually says no taking, injuring or disturbing of fish."

Taxi driver Adrian Bennett supported the council's stance. He said:

"You'd see waterfowl caught up in people's lines and being dragged across the pond. People would be jumping onto the island – not just one or two kids but a lot of people and a lot of adults. If you want to protect wildlife you can't have that going on."

HB Times 23rd Jun 2011

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HB Gazette 23rd Jun 2011

Fishing ban reviewed

Councillors will discuss the fishing ban at the Memorial Park fishing lake at the town's members panel on Tuesday. Bay resident Andy Newell was incensed 'no fishing' signs had appeared at the lake and asked Councillor Ron Flaherty to raise the issue.

Byelaw 10 (iii) says it is illegal to "attempt to take, injure or destroy, any fish in any such water, or wilfully disturb or worry any waterfowl". But councillors spotted a loophole and decided that fishing might be allowed with barbless hooks and new signs should be installed. Officers had other ideas. They said:

"Legal and other officers have reviewed this matter and advise that fishing is prohibited by the byelaw. However, a review of byelaws will come forward during the new administrative year."

HB Times 10th Jun 2011

Can cash will boost the pier

Campaigners have come up with a canny way to raise cash for Herne Bay pier. Trustees hoping to see the pier revamped and rebuilt have set up special bins to recycle cans and could earn up to £600 per tonne of other peoples' rubbish.

The bins have been positioned at the entrance to the pier, with more to come throughout the town, and the scheme was officially launched on Monday by members of the Herne Bay Pier Trust. Spokesman Andy Newell said:

"It could raise a lot of money for us and it's good for the town as well. It will improve the environment and keep the town clear of cans. It should also save room in recycling sacks because people will only need to put paper, card and plastic in if they bring their cans to us."

Mr Newell and other supporters are hoping to get town pubs, cafes, restaurants and supermarkets involved. He thanked council officials, including David Williamson from Serco and town manager Chris West, for their support, adding:

"They have been instrumental in getting this concept off the ground."

The group is still hoping to attract more members to lobby for improvements at the pier. The sports centre is due to be demolished next year and officials will then consult on what should replace it. A public meeting to update supporters on progress at the pier will take place at 7.30pm on Monday, November 15 at the cafe on the pier.

This is Kent 29th Oct 2010

Pier fund-raising

HB Times 28th Oct 2010

The future of the Pier

HB Times 14th Oct 2010