Minutes of Western Region Committee Meeting
December 2004
The Mayors Arms, Bristol.

Attending: Andy, Rep W&NS; Robbie, Rep Forest of Dean; Brian, Clubs; Trollkin, Political & Editor Regional mag; Trace, Rep Swindon; Spider, Web; Derwen, NC Liaison; Bill, Committee Chairman; Kath, Treasurer; Paul M, Rep Mid-Wilts; Andy M, Comms. Officer; Geoff Mills, Observing.

1. Apologies:

Donna, Rep, Glos; Eddie (just a Dad) Garnier, Notavon; Paul S, Events; Alec & Marion, Glos. AWOL: Sheila, Products Officer

2/3. Minutes of the Last Meeting & Matters Arising

The Committee were awaiting the wording for items 5 & 6 (part thereof) from Derwen who, in turn, was awaiting publication of the official RAMs & NC Minutes. These relevant items were read out and it was agreed this wording be inserted into our Regional Minutes.

4. Officers and Reps Reports

Weston & North Somerset:

  1. New venue: The Bell at Congresbury every Wednesday throughout the winter from 8 to 8.30. Then April to September every 3RD Wednesday at the Black Horse, Portbury.
  2. 24th April - Pet Food Run
  3. 6th August Bikefest - possible camping at Court Farm
  4. Great Weston Rally = 9/11 September, Court Farm. Advance ticket sales. Region is able to lend money for prior expenditure if required.
  5. Thanks for the support for Beach Race. £465 was made for parking together with £81.81 on the helmet park. If we supply our own marquee (the council let us down this year) e can keep the money taken instead of splitting it with the council.
    Most important - Official Bike Parking signs for the secure site a necessity.
  6. Bikefest 2004 collect £58 to be split 50/50 with Freewheelers.
  7. Concern was expressed that a cheque for the Fare Pool of £50 dated 3rd April had not been paid into Regional Account until 10th November.

Forest of Dean:

  1. Group is expanding very slowly. Have 37 in locality with 10-12 regulars.
  2. May have possible mail-out.

Swindon:

  1. Growing in numbers gradually
  2. Group supports many events
  3. Possibility of changing venues due to increased numbers
  4. Web-site possibly being worked on.

Clubs:

  1. Brian expressed disappointment with the lack of support and response from the newly appointed National Clubs Liaison Officer. ACTION: Derwen to pass back to NC
  2. Suitable in packs are needed to enable Regional Clubs Liaison Officers to do their job properly. ACTION: Derwen to pass back to NC

Political & Regional Editor:

  1. Seems quiet on the MP front
  2. Needs articles from Groups for newsletter
  3. Local councils joining forces for Local Transport Scheme
  4. Continuous Insurance - there is an agreed MAG response (see web-site)
  5. Lobbying required across the Region on (d) above. Mobilise Groups.

Web:

  1. Spider’s computer has gone tits up (technical term). He is hoping to get it sorted asap.
  2. Intending to put WRAG MAG as main front page on WR site.

Glos:

  1. Glos PTW Forum up and running.
  2. National Bikesafe will be at Cheltenham and our region may be asked to marshall
  3. Concern that the cheque from the Duk Dik was not paid into the Regional account until November.

Treasurer:

  1. £3689 at present in the account
  2. Contacting Bristol as have not had a donation from the Group this year so far.
    ACTION: Anne to speak to Bristol Treasurer

Andy Meredith - Communications

  1. Western Region mailing list is still on Andy’s kit.
  2. Looking after internet services for MAG Central
  3. Has control of MAG mailing list
  4. Local Groups need to get web-site officer in situ asap.

Paul - Mid-Wilts

  1. Bike Awareness Day went reasonably well
  2. Public Liability Insurance was £26 for the day from Central
  3. Charity Run raised £120 and had lots of press coverage
  4. Group AGM is the last Thursday of January (27th).

Geoff - Observer

  1. Local Transport Forum had a recent meeting. Bristol had attended

5. Regional Affairs Meeting - Report from Rugby

Welsh Motorcycle Shows

  1. An agreement had now been reached between Welsh Motorcycle Shows & the Motorcycle Action Group.
  2. £1k has been paid for the use of small MAG logo.
  3. Should MAG members wish to marshall at any WMS event, they do so as individuals. Local Transport Plans Uncle Sol is to run passed Geoff Mills

Notts MAG

  1. Co-ordinating a motorcycle forum.
  2. Mud-on-the-Road:
    Guidance is forthcoming on the obligations of Plant contractors, Farmers etc.
  3. Pink Form:
    Has now been agreed and Derwen will bring blank forms to the next meeting where he asks All Reps to bring a couple of mug shots along.

National Finance Officer

  1. Requires Finance statements from Regions on a 4 monthly basis.
  2. Regional or National Officer to be signatory on all accounts held in MAG’s name.

6. National Committee Report

  1. Web/email list is all pulled together - there will be a half day workshop.
  2. Ian Mutch - SB requirements
  3. Chairman’s Report - mentioned resolving conflicts prior to the December NC meeting.
  4. Membership is down; finances are up.
  5. National Clubs Officer has been debriefed on job description
  6. MAG’s Commercial Officer is Dave Elrick.
  7. Reforming Finance Working Group
  8. MAG Foundation is accountable to MAG but discussions are taking place on ‘clear blue water’ between MAG as a Riders Rights Group and MAG Foundation. Derwen is now a Director and Trustee of the Foundation. Aims and Objectives are: “to promote for the Public benefit awareness and understanding of environmental, road safety and security issues relating to the use of two wheeled powered vehicles and to research and investigate solutions to these topics.”
  9. roposal is going to AGC for a change to the Constitution allowing for Regions to operate by Committee if no one is willing to undertake the post of Rep. This will allow Regions to be run like this subject to NC approval. Mid-Lincs propose to operate in this way.
  10. SE Region possibly to run by committee after the present Rep John Mitchell resigns. Also, East Midlands.
  11. Two members of Devon are the only active part of the north of the South-West Region. They would be happy to help Western Region get Taunton up & running. The Committee aspect is to split the workload across the SW Region rather than have a ‘reluctant to travel’ rep. based in south Cornwall. Longer term option may be to split the region.
    1. The state of the national website was discussed.
    2. MAG/FEMA are in discussion
    3. Trevor’s Report to be circulated by Derwen under separate cover.

    Derwen thanked Andy Meredith for acting as Observer to the NC Meeting on behalf of the Region.

    c) Regional AGM

    1. There will be a short Committee Meeting at 11.00 o’clock during the morning of 23rd January prior to the Regional AGM.
    2. Regional Officers need to provide reports for AGM.
    3. Essential new post - Membership Secretary
    4. Regional Officers, except Treasurer, Rep(!), Secretary, Political Officer, (as these JDs are provided by Central on a National profile), to provide Job Descriptions. Anne to put into portfolio ready for the AGM in case anyone is nominated from the floor.
    5. Glos MAG are hosting. Food/refreshment being provided.
    6. John Mitchell to be NC Observer

      7. d) Regional Marquee

      The idea is to purchase a Marquee suitable for all our Events including the Duk Dik and Beach Race etc.
      ACTION: Andy & Paul to have discussions and come back to the rest of us at the next meeting with their findings/proposals.

      e) Dealer Discount

      Can all Groups check details of existing Dealers on the list and update if necessary.

      Any Other Business

      Andy Meredith:

      1. Discussion on having Officers phone numbers on website.
      2. South West Custom & Classic - is there any ‘patch’ involvement?
        Not to the knowledge of everyone present.

        3. Anne Gale:

        Propose the Region pays for Broadband connection for George Legg. Unanimous. Andy M and George to finalise between them in liaison with Regional Treasurer.

        Meeting closed at 4.45

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