Minutes of the 2024 AGM
Please see the draft Minutes of the 2024 MEOTRA AGM, together with the 2023-2024 accounts below. The Minutes will be formally approved at the 2025 AGM.
The AGM was publicised in a special edition of the paper MEOTRA newsletter which is sent to every household in the area. We also use our email mail newsletter to share details of events and useful info. If you’re not on the email list please sign up here.
If you have any questions, contact us at committee@meotra.org
Annual General Meeting of Mile End Old Town Residents’ Association
Wednesday 17 April 2024, 1900
At Epainos Church, Lichfield Road, London E3
CHAIR: Chris Rawlins
MINUTES: Vivien Turner
MINUTES
1. Welcome by Chris Rawlins, Chair. 31 residents present. Nathalie Bienfait Councillor for Bow West present.
1.2 Apologies: Sarah Sarkhel (to whom condolences will be sent), Gail Stevens, David Berridge, Tamara Barklem, Anna Livingstone, Gil Brandt (delayed).
1.3 Proposal for Chair: Chris Rawlins nominated and seconded.
2. Minutes of last AGM (27 April 2023)
2.1 Missing from last AGM minutes:
(i) Thanks to the church for providing venue.
(ii) Thanks to John White for his ongoing work for MEOTRA.
(iii) These Minutes reflect that these points were raised.
3. No matters arising from the minutes of the last AGM
4. Discussion and vote on adoption of the revised MEOTRA constitution.
4.1 Elizabeth Marshall, Chair, constitution sub-committee presented the proposed revised constitution.
4.2 Proposed amendments:
➢ To state that there be the minimum requirement of four committee meetings a year. Passed.
➢ Form sub-committees for certain events which residents can sign up for. Not passed. (But Committee takes note and will issue revised instructions on how to volunteer for events, recognition that the email and blog will welcome and direct residents how to get involved and volunteer for events.).
➢ Quorum for AGM: 20 residents required for AGM. Passed.
➢ Objects Point 2: proposal to change wording to ‘....and defend it from development and Planning proposals’. In this proposed constitution the word ‘planning’ has been superseded by ‘development’. A sub-committee can be set up to deal with development if desired. Vote 13 for amendment, 14 against. Not passed.
Revised constitution voted on. 1 against. Constitution adopted.
Other points raised:
➢ Flyer said ’new constitution’ rather than ‘proposed’.
➢ Last constitution not included as comparison, no mention of differences between the two.
➢ Helpful to number items rather than bullet points.
➢ Nominations for committee members called for at the notification of the AGM. Residents may express an interest in standing which is seen by residents and can then be formally nominated at the AGM. All agreed.
5 Reports from Committee.
5.1 Annual Report from Cheryl Clements.
“We’re really happy to share some of the successes that we’ve had since last
year’s AGM.
Finance: Thanks to Chris Rawlins’ hard work and determination we now have full internet banking access which means payments can be made by transfer rather than cheque. We have also purchased a card reader so we can collect funds more easily, e.g. at the carols.
Web Presence: Building on John White’s extensive work we have a new website which aims to make things clearer and easier to access. This has allowed us to tidy up passwords etc for succession planning and security.
Constitution: Elizabeth Marshall and her sub-committee have worked incredibly hard to create a robust, updated constitution.
Planting Day: We secured the support and funding of Trees for Cities to do the planting in the Square. It involved local schools and culminated in a planting day which was well attended by residents. There’s blossom on the new trees and we’re looking forward to hosting apple picking days once they’re ready.
Spooky Hallowe’en Streets with houses vying for the spookiest house.
Coronation Picnic in the Square was well attended by residents.
Carols: We raised £700 for Bow Food Bank, with match funding this doubled to £1400, with the final figure even higher as BFB applied for Gift Aid. We also contributed physical donations.
Easter Egg Hunts: x2 (2023 & 2024) is a popular and well attended event.”
5.2 Treasurer’s Report from Chris Rawlins, Treasurer
Closing balance of £4,524.20. Accounts voted on and accepted. Signed
accounts attached
6. Election of Committee members 2024-2025.
Chris Rawlins, Cheryl Clements, Sarah Sarkhel, John White, Vivien Turner, Gil Brandt, Tamara Barklem, Dot Hodgson.
7. AOB
Open Forum
7.1 Sainsbury’s on site of Gateway Housing, Rhondda Grove. Residents expressed concern that no one within the Tredegar Square Conservation Area had received a letter about the redevelopment. The officer’s report stated that letters had been posted which was at odds with the written member’s enquiry Cllr Bienfait had received. Concerns about the alcohol license hours (07:00-23:00) and the 24 hour opening were also raised, as well as potential issues relating to stock deliveries and online delivery traffic. It was noted that Gateway vehicles will still require parking spaces.
The residents voted that the MEOTRA committee would write to LBTH about these concerns, requesting that the council attach conditions to the development to alleviate these negative effects.
8. Thanks to church for use as venue.
Meeting closed at 9 p.m.
UPDATE 1st May, 2024: The Minutes have been updated following feedback from a resident to correct a typo at Section 4.2, Objects Point 2 “…and defend it from development and planning proposals’.” changed to: “‘....and defend it from development and Planning proposals’.”
