Item

Discussion

ACTION

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As requested by the Committee at the August meeting, Derwen had made enquiries & subsequently circulated an email with the costs of the National MAG Stand’s attendance at Bikesafe in 2005.

A lengthy discussion ensued concerning two of the quoted costs involved.

Us (Western Region) putting on the MAG stand at Bikesafe in 2006 (in response to the Aug NC report wherein Bikesafe 2006 had not been included in the list of events which the vice-Chair had informed would be attended by the National Stand) now seems to have been negated as the vice-Chair had told the October NC which shows the National MAG Stand would be at and this now included Bikesafe at Cheltenham.

4.

Derwen:

i)Glos Council now producing Think Bike stickers and Diesel Stickers.

ii)Bikesafe from Thames Valley promoting moped/scooter training course. Glos may also do this but linked in with a ‘big Gloucestershire employer’ with possibly and NVQ type qualification.

iii) Gloucester PTW Forum soon to host an open meeting for motorcyclists in Gloucestershire. For this event it was suggested there be motorcycle related stands and a MAG presence was suggested. Date to be advised.

Derwen

Di: Nothing to report.

Bill: Had attended the October NC meeting on behalf of the Region as an Observer and would be giving an overview later in the meeting.

Local stuff: Beach Race had been a great success as had the GWR

George the Troll: Driving Licence Directive. Although George had sent emails/letters to all local MEPs, three had not bothered to reply. It was suggested that the names of these 3 MEPs be published in WRAG MAG.

Derwen said that East Anglia website hosted a "name & shame" page for those MPs and MEPs who have been contacted but from whom no replies had been received.

It was decided to try and implement something similar on our own web-site.

Trollkin asked for more letters to be written to MPs & MEPs concerning the EU Licence Directive issue.

All Groups

Spider: Had sent up all the links he was requested to do in August.

Kath: Regional account balance – it was decided not to send any more to Central for the moment in consideration of the fact that the Region may soon decide to buy its own ‘pucker – proper job’ Display Stand.

Kath requires Treasurer’s Reports from each Group so she can prepare her end of year accounts in time for the Regional Annual Group Meeting in January 2006. Group Reps are asked to pass this on to their Group Treasurers.

All Group Reps

5

REPS REPORTS

Forest of Dean – Robbie

Group had recently held its first AGM & Robbie had been re-elected. Group now has a new Treasurer & website officer.

Group gone over to weekly meetings

Free Forest Riders had invited FoD MAG to put on a joint venture Xmas party – to be held on 16^th December at Rank Xerox Social Club, Mitcheldean.

Bimbling along as nomadically as normal, meeting and eating at various hostelries.

AGM had been held – little change in officers.

Group still had no rep. Some reps duties to be undertaken as a joint role (job-share!) by Ed & Andy.

Brunel Bridge Campaign – though the Bridge Master and the Trustees had been on side after meetings and lobbying, the suppliers of the barrier equipment had been most unhelpful & would not accommodate free access for motorcyclists without involving significant huge costs.

Anti-Mobile Phone Campaign – Group were beginning investigations with police and relevant authorities with a view to mounting a campaign against the use of hand held mobile phones in vehicles.

Mike Brewer of Bristol City Council had contacted Rich Stiling and Rich’s long campaign of the need for non-slip manhole covers is bearing fruit. With the changes to Broadmead imminent they will be trialling these within those changes.

Knot so-so soup Run – to Julian Trust Night Shelter on 23 October . Meet 10.30 at Burrington Combe.

Halloween Party = 29^th October @ Mayors Arms.

2 recent bike fatalities within the South Glos area.

Police are running ‘Ride to Arrive’.

Group still nomadic but still active.

ACTION

Attendance great.

Large percentage of the Group attended the Brussels demo.

Meeting every Tuesday from the 1^st of December.

Attendance brilliant and group growing.

Recent Treasure Hunt.

Donna is still ‘recruiting’.

Charity Run on 3 December and afterwards a party @ the Lysley Arms.

Group AGM scheduled for January.

Having a MAG stand at Superbikes @ Castle Combe was discussed.

December Agenda – Regional stand to be discussed.

Beach Race successful with 4/500 bikes parked up on the Sunday though much quieter on the Saturday. Managing the secure bike park ourselves was a great success.

Party night at Hewish on 26^th November in village hall.

May have to change venue – pub is changing hands and Group do not know if the new landlord will retain the Group, darts team etc., etc.

6

Membership – is up to 9,700.

National Treasurer – is re-instating the ‘Rainy Day Bank Account’.

Regional Affairs Meeting – traditionally held the morning of the NC and a forum in which Regional Reps could discuss things without influence from other members of the NC has been scrapped by the National Chairman.

A discussion ensued amongst WR Committee Members expressing some concerns.

Clubs Officer- concerned that the existing BMF insurance policy for public liability for clubs is causing MAG problems on the Club recruitment/renewal front.

National Stand - The Board have decided which events the National Stand will cover. These are: BikeSafe; NEC; Scottish ?????; Welsh Show; Farmyard; Stormin.

A discussion within the WR committee ensued as to why this had been a Board decision and not that of the NC.

Neil Stevenson – was being paid a £4k retainer by MAG for his services.

The question was asked at region as to who was involved with the National Stand – these are Angie, Pete Walker, Neil Stevenson, Dave Elrick & were they all connected to MAP.

Motorcycle Direct – is now Ebike as negotiated by Dave Elrick in the capacity of Commercial Manager.

Streetbiker - is now "The Road" and in A4 format.

Concern was expressed on the following issues:

a)that we were not now going to be allowed to have supplies for use within the Region as we previously had with SB & which had been an excellent recruiting tool at shows/events etc;

b)that each Region was expected to take 10 copies to sell at £1.99 per edition. Retailer to keep .99p and £1 to MAG.

c)that the decision had been taken by the National Chairman that the section in SB known as MAG News (MAG’s original publication full of political/lobbying issues) would not be included in The Road.

Anne informed WR committee that whilst in office the decision had been taken by the NC that a MAG NEWS section would be included in MAG’s publication. This decision had been taken by the NC after it had been brought to the attention of various officers that unless political/lobbying issues were included in MAG’s publication then a majority of members did not know what MAG was doing.

Trevor’s Report – to follow, circulated by Derwen.

Mini Motos – a working group to be set up.

National Bikesafe – the National Stand is now to be officially at Bikesafe at Cheltenham and a few staff may be required from the Region.

Fortune 500 – a suggestion from the Scottish Region

Donnington GP – a suggestion is being muted regarding a secure camp site.

Bill had attended the previous days NC meeting as an observer for the Region and gave a brief résumé. A lengthy discussion followed on some serious concerns. Two volunteer observers for the December meeting were Spider and Trace.

It was decided that the Region would also send Observers to the February NC.

Spider

7.

Excellent for first rally with fair attendance and which made a small profit (£148.67). 2006 event to be the weekend of 15-17 September.

8

29^th January 2006. Should be held at Weston, however, things are in limbo at present due to uncertainty of Weston’s venue.. Bill/Troll to get back asap.

9.

National Bikesafe – covered above

10.

Regional Award – a suggestion was made by Bill with 100% support.

11.

Anne to ring Rich Stiling to see if he would be the Speaker and give a talk on his work as main organiser for 9 years for BBS & his work on non slip surfaces for manhole covers.

Anne

11.

1. Concern was expressed about Groups not supporting one anothers events and it was decided that flyers should be brought to each Committee Meeting for events a group might be hold within the next 3 month period. Flyers for onward distribution at Group meetings.
2. Bill to produce an Events List – again to be circulated at each Regional meeting.
3. No Group Email for the Region

[Sorry chaps – what does this mean?]

4. Local Groups for email

Bill

Meeting closed at 17.21