Present: Stephen Langtree (Chairman), Peter Colley, Adrian Dunning, Terry Edgar, Kathy Fishwick, Iain Gerrard, Brian Gilbert, Paul Johnson, Cynthia Radford, Gordon Sidery, Elaine Smith & Susan Spibey.

Apologies for absence: None

20.1     Minutes of the previous meeting: Previously circulated, these were taken as read. Paul pointed out that he had sent his apologies to the meeting. Stephen said that several references to the new Civic Trust Network should have read the Civic Societies Network. He also asked for the text at the top of page two, within the minute 19.3/18.4, to be rephrased as "….an enquiry by their chairman indicated that they had little to offer and were unlikely to send any delegates." With these amendments it was proposed by Terry Edgar and seconded by Elaine Smith and agreed unanimously that the minutes be accepted as a true record.

20.2    Matters Arising:Minutes 19.3/18.3. The Chairman asked if there had been any contact made with, or news of, Tricia Breen. Peter said there had not, which left a vacancy in the Cumbrian representation to the NWActs Committee. Stephen asked if Peter could have an insertion placed in the next Cumbrian Federation Newsletter asking for expressions of interest in the position.
Minute 19.3/18.4. Susan Spibey said she felt that there needed to be a named person prepared to lead the arrangements for future Autumn Gatherings.
Minute 19.3/18.6. The Civic Societies Network had now been accessed successfully by some committee members. However there was a feeling of uncertainty expressed as to its purpose and no one was particularly impressed so far. Any benefits from it had yet to be seen and Paul said he felt that it was a clever piece of technology looking for a purpose. Iain said he felt that a simple open forum would have been preferable which would have allowed members to give their views and would have lead to interesting discussions while at the same time making clear to the Civic Trust what matters members were really interested in and considered to be important. Paul agreed saying that these were available on the Internet free of charge. Adrian offered to research the site further and report back to the next meeting.
Minute 19.8. Peter reported that his wife's lottery bid on our behalf had run into difficulties. Practically all available funding sources were now targeting projects which were community lead.

20.3    Report on March Meeting at the University of Central Lancashire: The Chairman expressed his delight at this meeting and said that it had been both pleasurable and informative. The team from the Civic Trust had been impressive and their attitude was forward looking and boded well for the future, particularly in the relationship between the National Office and the individual societies. Nearly forty people had attended, including the staff from London and Liverpool.

20.4    'Paving the Way' meeting in Manchester: The Civic Trust had received a grant to fund these meetings in every region. However it was generally felt that there had not been enough warning of it. A lead-in time of two or three months was needed for meetings such as this. Iain pointed out that the agenda was still being finalised only a week before the meeting. Nevertheless several committee members are planning to attend.

20.5     News from the Civic Trust: Civic Trust Awards: The Chairman reported that he had attended the Awards Ceremony held at Blackpool and said it had been a good event. Photographs of the event can be viewed on the web at www.blackandginger.com/civictrust07/. Only two schemes from the North West had won an award. Stephen advised the committee that this year was the last to divide the shire counties from the metropolitan areas. The next awards ceremony would be held in the Newcastle & Gateshead area. He said that there was a need for more local assessors and he asked if anyone present was interested. Paul said he was and he was asked to contact Hannah Mummery at the Civic Trust.
National Committee Meeting: The Chairman said there had been a discussion on promoting the Civic Trust movement and the difficulties experienced in getting and maintaining contact with members. This problem even extended to emails. However much of the meeting had been devoted to the suggestion of a formal model constitution for the regional associations. He said that the constitution for the NWActs had been acceptable to the Civic Trust when formulated in 2002 and he saw no point to a complete revamp and had said so at the meeting. It was generally agreed that a major alteration would not be welcome although we would consider minor modifications if felt useful.
Policy Update No 6: Copies of this were circulated.
'Grass Roots', March 2007: Copies of this were also circulated.

20.6     Annual General Meeting: Kathy confirmed that the room had been booked for July the 7th. This would be Cabinet Room C. The meeting would start at 2 pm and would follow a short ordinary meeting starting as usual at 11.15 am in the same room. The Chairman said that speakers had not yet been obtained and asked for suggestions. He had asked the Historic Environment Forum if they could offer anyone but had not had a reply. Peter suggested Andy Yuille of the Campaign to Protect Rural England who he felt would be able to talk on the Barker Report. Elaine suggested Carl Carrington, the Townscape Heritage Initiative officer for Blackpool, who had spoken at the Lancashire Federation Annual General Meeting. Two more names offered were Alberta Stevens and Peter Bembridge of the Civic Trust.
It was agreed that a formal notice of the meeting would be sent out, by email and snailmail, as soon as the speakers had been confirmed. This would be accompanied by the Chairman's Report, a nomination form for committee members and an agenda. The Chairman reminded all present that everyone on the committee had to be renominated if they wished to continue as a committee member. It was suggested that we ask for an email acknowledgement of receipt where this was possible.
The Financial Statement was circulated by Brian Gilbert. It was agreed that the same auditor used previously be approved
. The Chairman pointed out that his intention to resign from that position at the Annual General Meeting created a vacancy. Both Peter and Paul indicated their interest in taking the position. The Chairman said that there would have to be a ballot on the day. The changed constitution required that all paperwork had to be sent by the 26th May 2007, six weeks before the meeting.

20.7    Autumn Gathering:Cynthia and Terry said that the venue had been booked and they agreed that they would jointly lead the making of the arrangements. The Chairman said he felt there should be a keynote speaker on each day and if they felt they were in difficulties on this issue they should contact him. Iain asked that he be supplied with a local map, a photograph of the venue and lists of local hotels and places of entertainment for the Saturday evening so that the information could be put on the website..

20.8     Update on External Liaison:North West Historic Environment Forum. The third bulletin was circulated. Stephen highlighted the date of the next conference which was on Friday the 22nd June at the Friends Meeting House in Manchester. Whether the NWActs would fund attendees depended upon how much the cost would be and how many would claim, it being left to Brian to decide what is affordable.
English Heritage. Kathy said that this organisation was not as strong as it once was. Stephen said he agreed and that it had 'had its wings clipped' with the transfer of some of its functions to Local Authorities. It was agreed that following the 22nd June meeting we should write to all Local Authorities expressing concern over their ability to manage specialist work involving listed buildings.
English Historic Towns Forum. Paul gave a brief report on his meeting last year and apologised for not having more details. He would liaise with Stephen and send a detailed report to Iain for placing on the website.
Northwest Environment Link. Peter reported his concern over the number of houses proposed in the Regional Spatial Strategy. It was clear that the existing infrastructure, particularly water supply and sewerage, was not adequate.

20.9    Any Other Business: Brian reported on the quotations he had obtained for a colourful folder which could be used for any and all enclosures while at the same time advertising the NWActs. The price quoted was approximately £1 each with a minimum £800 for 500 but £1000 for 1000, the cost including the design and printing.
The suggestion was made that the funds from English Heritage could be used for this but the Chairman was uneasy with the idea, he felt that this money could only be used if it was clear that some folders would be used for the conservation leaflet. Most of the money is, however, still needed for the leaflet itself.
Terry asked if a mock-up could be prepared for approval. Brian felt that this could be arranged if there was a certainty that an order would follow. It was agreed that a mock-up to be produced for the July meeting.
Stephen said that Paul had agreed to complete the conservation leaflet.
Stephen said that a folder for the Heritage Open Days was being designed which would be circulated to societies who could add their own logos and local details

20.10    Next Meeting:: 11.00 am for 11.15 am on Saturday the 7th July to be followed by the Annual General Meeting at 2.00 pm at the same venue.