RUSHMERE COMMONERS COMMITTEE

Registered Charity No. 274900

 
Minutes of AGM held on Thursday 20th June 2024 at Tower Hall, Rushmere St. Andrew, commencing at 7.30pm

 

Present

Trustees

Mike Gilson (Chairman)

Kev Driver

Mike Shields

John Adams (Co-opted)

 

Also present

Bob Gosden (Warden)

Chris Kendall (Clerk)

4 Commoners

 

Apologies were received and accepted from Alison Pledger, Ray Whymark and Diane Grayston.           

 

  1. Minutes of the last AGM held on Thursday 22nd June 2023– agreed.  Proposed by Kev Driver and seconded by Mike Gilson.

 

  1. Chairman’s Report

            The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting. It has been another busy year on the common and a few key items will be highlighted.

            Trustees -  The trustees are elected by the commoners to manage the common   and are re-elected on a three yearly basis. Although the trustees have various jobs that they tend to do, all decisions are made by the committee as a whole. This year Mike Gilson is up for re-election and John Adams has agreed to be voted on too.These elections were agreed.  Proposed by Kev Driver and seconded by John (a commoner in attendance). A commoner had nominated himself to become a trustee, but was unable to attend the AGM due to a holiday. He will be invited to our  ordinary meeting, where he may be co-opted.

            Thanks – Mike G thanked all the trustees, the clerk, the warden and all the volunteers for their efforts during the year. The volunteers do things such as litter picking and filling up the dog bag dispensers. Also, special thanks were given to the Rushmere Golf Club (RGC) greenkeepers, who are led by Patrick, for their help throughout the year. The greenkeepers have helped with removing furniture from ‘dens’ this year as well as general maintenance.

            Updates– As well as updating our website, items are published in local magazines to keep commoners informed about our news.

            Maintenance of the common – it is good to say that many positive things have  happened this year. The management plan is helping us to manage the common  effectively and the heath is looking very good.  The plan divides the common into various areas and our general intent is to keep areas as they are, for example if an  area has heather we will try to improve the heather. Cut ‘N’ Clear It have been working with us since September 2022 and have been very good at working on paths, firebreaks and general clearance. There has been a large fire near the 1st and Ipswich Borough Council helped us to clear this using a digger. The area has now been banked in some parts, to restrict access and provide wildlife habitats.  In the autumn heather seeds will be sown here.

            Wildlife – positive news is that muntjac deers, badgers, birds of prey, solitary bees/wasps and grass snakes have been spotted during the past year.                   

            Pond water – we have been advised, by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, to refrain from using borehole or tap water in the pond as this is not good for the wildlife, so we will continue to follow this advice,

            Joint project with Rushmere Golf Club – this year we have jointly purchased a defibrillator, which is located outside the clubhouse.

            Anti-social behaviour – there has been anti-social behaviour on the common throughout the year but this has been reported to the police. If anyone spots anti-social behaviour they should report it online to the police.  Even if it does not help at the time it enables the police to gain intelligence which is useful in future.

           

  1. Matters arising from items 1) and 2)

            Maintenance plan – a commoner enquired about whether our management plan is connected with the management plan of RGC. Mike G stated that we have similar aims but that if RGC wish to do anything they ask permission in accordance with their Licence Agreement.  Kev added that we have walkarounds with RGC, every             other month, to enable us to work well together.  Bob also has daily contact with RGC and there are quarterly management liaison meetings too.

            Criminal damage at RGC – Bob reported that some criminal damage had taken place at the club, in the last few days, and that it would involve the police and insurance company.

            Muddy footpath/cyclists – a commoner raised a question regarding a muddy footpath, which cyclists have been using.  As this path is on The Sandlings, Kev will deal with in his role as Parish Councillor (rather than a trustee for RCC). With regard to cyclists on the common we will keep an eye out and Mike S will assess in view of the risk assessment document.

 

  1. To consider financial statement

            Mike G explained some of the figures included in the report and said that we set a budget to enable figures to be monitored throughout the year. The RGC licence fee is adjusted annually in line with RPI. Mike G also reported that in view of inflation we are managing to just about hold our balances stable.

            Proposed by Mike S and seconded by Kev Driver.

.

  1. Election of Independent Examiner

            Chris explained that she has been happy with our existing accountants, Staines & Co, and therefore recommended that we use them next year.  Proposed by John  Adams and seconded by Kev Driver.

 

  1. Election of managing trustees.

            Dealt with under item 2 above.     

           

 

  1. Any other business.

            Hedge near Sandlings Crescent – a commoner queried why a hedge had not been  cut back this year.  Kev said that (in his role of Parish Councillor) as this hedge is not on the common, he would raise the query with Greenways/Parish Council/East  Suffolk Council as necessary

 

 

Meeting closed 8.18pm

Mrs Chris Kendall

Clerk to Rushmere Commoners