MAG Western Regional Committee Minutes - 15th October 2000

Present

Julian: Swindon
Anne Gale, Andy, Jenny: Bristol
Paul Mc, Andrew Meredith, Ian Dunlop: Mid Wilts
Eddie: North Avon
Brian Weekes, Bill Pugsley, Geoff Mills, Kath Aldom: N. Somerset

Apologies

Donna, Paul & Mark: Gloucester
Wendy Goodchild: MEP Liaison
Gail Gazzard: Treasurer

Minutes of last Regional Meeting

Agreed

Matters outstanding and arising from last meeting

Nicky at MAG central has requested a regional report prior to each NC meeting.

Geoff still needs transport plans from Wiltshire, Swindon & Bath

Report from Regional Reps Meeting, MCI, Coventry 19th October 2000

Attending from Western: Eddie & Anne
 
• Gary Barnes, NEC MAG stand organiser, needs more volunteers for the stand. If you volunteer for more than a day, you get free entry to the show. Even if you can spell one of the existing stand people for half an hour while you are visiting the show, this would be appreciated.
• Regional Reps pack has been released.
• Local Rep's pack is under way.
• The Activist's training weekend 7/10/2000 was cancelled due to lack of interest. It needed around 50 people, only 18 people signed up. It will be re-arranged for March 2001 in Horncastle.
• Several South West NABD reps have approached Roy Hills for lobbying help/support to ensure that disabled badges were suitable for motorbikes. Archie Hipkins (NE RR) who is disabled, reported that new badges are under consultation at the moment, and the RR's have suggested that NABD central office contact MAG central office for help with a nationally co-ordinated lobby.
• Eddie reported the following to NC

New group in Swindon now off and running.

Gloucester very active with their stand, several events attended.

Bristol has new Rep, Anne Gale. Bristol MAG looking at setting up Council Liaison group for m/cs. Council are looking at the way they consult wrt transport issues.

Chippenham has m/c awareness day coming up.

Meeting at Salisbury Police HQ with Swindon MAG about the Police action at Avebury. Positive outcome.

Western Beach Race needs marshals.

£800 sent to central by Bristol MAG.

Forest MAG & Bath MAG now sadly defunct.

Report from Full NC Meeting, MCI, Coventry, 19th October 2000

• MAG Stall issues ongoing.
• MAG Direct Insurance now up and going. The old scheme with CIA Insurance has some major issues, with many people reporting delays of 6 months or more before they receive their policies.
• MAG claims line now in operation. Further details in Streetbiker.
• All monies in excess £150 held by local groups and £500 by regions should be sent to central. Signatories should be regular attendees and should be reviewed regularly in order to ensure that the monies remain accessible.
• National treasurer presented national accounts. For further information .. attend the AGC !!
• Streetbiker to be spun off as separate limited company MAG Media Ltd, wholly owned by MAG UK. This creates a 'firewall' in case SB gets sued for libel.
• All MAG money raising events MUST present accounts to central. Local fund raising is still vital to MAG's cashflow, despite insurance deals etc. The accounts don't need to be anything much, just gross income, costs & profit.
• "Bikers are Voters" has been kicked off again in preparation for the 2001 election. Mass lobby planned for

                                  March 1st 2001
[NB Western are planning to sort out a coach for the event]
See Streetbiker for further details.
• Phil N has been hard at work lobbying MPs and delegates at the three main party conferences over the last month or two. Generally this was very well received. Conservatives have changed their approach wrt m/cs. Steven Norris said that his commute takes 1.5 hours by public transport, 1 hour by car and 7 minutes by scooter.
• A number of organisations have joined forces to start a new project called "Motorcycling for London".

The members are:
    London & Home Counties MAG/MAG UK
    BMF
    The Despatch Association
    The Motorcycle Industry Association
    AA
    RAC
    Motorcycle Retailers Association
    Motorcycle Rider Training Association
 

These organisations collectively form the NMC (National Motorcycle Council) which meets every two months somewhere in London. Although L&HC MAG are regularly represented on this committee, Phil or Mutch normally represent MAG UK. In this instance, as this is a London campaign, MAG UK have stood back in preference of L&HC, Phil however, is still in the background to assist wherever needed.

• Theft Action Group (TAG) are trying to get detailed stats on bike thefts by area and make, in order to close the loop by targeting those areas and bike styles with more information and resources.

• FEMA. Various matters arising, see Streetbiker for further details.
• Joey Dunlop Award. Proposal discussed along with funding. Details to be presented at the AGC.
• Streetbiker .. is it legal. It has been said that any publication with an ISBN should send 5 copies to the British library. If anyone has any information please let central know.
• Political Ads in Streetbiker. It has previously been resolved at NC that any political party from Labour to Conservative can place a political advert in Streetbiker. They will of course be required to pay and there will be a disclaimer placed above and below the advert. This NC confirmed this stance, with a proviso that the disclaimer be made larger.

Western Region Officers Reports

• Ian Moore - North Somerset & Weston


Weston-super-Mare council have welcomed the idea of AGC 2001 being held there. They have offered to drop their usual fee from £1,900 to £500. Prince Consort Theatre and Ballroom has capacity for 1000 heads, with 3 separate bars which can be staffed by the council if there is felt to be sufficient demand.

Commitment for a solid year is required by a number of people in order that the load doesn't fall back to Ian. Volunteers are needed now.

Given the size of the venue there are two proposals under consideration for sending up to NC. One is the classical model of AGC and free evening party. The second takes advantage of the venue size and would involve a big name band and a door charge for some or all evening event attendees.

• Swindon - fine.
• Products - nothing to report.
• Events - Copy of events list to be forwarded under separate cover and will be placed on the regional web site.
• Treasurer - Cathy Aldom elected as new treasurer by unanimous majority.

Next Regional Meeting

10th December 2000      NB This will start at 12:30 sharp.

Next NC Meeting

9th December 2000. Rep and observer will be Ian Moore and Anne Gale.

Western Region AGM 2001

21th January 2001 at the Borough Arms Weston-super-Mare

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