MINUTES OF THE 88 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING THE OF HESTON RESIDENTS’

ASSOCIATION HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2nd MARCH 2022 AT THE HESTON COMMUNITY CENTRE.

Meeting Started at 19:42 Chair Mangal Chudha. APOLOGIES: R.Bhatti. J. Lawes. Minutes of the last 87th AGM: Agreed and signed. Matters Arising: None. Receipt and adoption of the Chairman’s Annual Report: The lockdown imposed by the Govt, due to the Wuhan virus (Covid-19) pandemic restricted the opportunity for monthly general meetings. At a special general Meeting on the 3rd Nov 2020, it was agreed to increase the membership subs rates to £6 for local and £12 for postal members due to increased costs.

At the last AGM in 2020, David Blackett stood down as Chair and Mangal Chudha was elected as Chair. Appreciation was expressed for the work carried out by both Vivienne and David Blackett who has served for 3 decades as Treasurer and then Chair (2004), as well as editor of RAM.

Chairman’s annual report was proposed for adoption by Vivienne Blackett and seconded by Lata Dhiri. The report was adopted by the meeting. Receipt of the examined accounts for 2020 and 2021: Chair stated that he had had problems to get the accounts audited and needed support from the membership to arrange for someone to check the accounts. The Membership Secretary offered to speak to someone about acting as Financial Examiner to check the accounts. Chair would present the audited accounts at the next meeting. The Treasurer commented that subscriptions and advertising in RAM were the main sources of income for the Association. The income from HRA funds in Scottish Widows was just £2.15. The Chair questioned whether the income from the funds could be improved. The Treasurer advised that the interest received was in line with general market rates for such funds.

David Blackett apologized for recent delays in producing the RAM magazine. This was due to the printers being off sick. Membership Secretary asked whether cost of production could be reduced with cheaper quality paper for the RAM magazine as the cost of production had increased significantly.

Report of Officers and Committee members The Membership Secretary thanked Malcolm MacLachlan for assisting her in filling in the membership cards.

The Treasurer expressed appreciation for the hard work and commitment of John Mullins in reviewing and commenting on planning applications. It could now be said that HRA had prevented approval of most “beds in sheds” facilities. The Treasurer advised that Council Planning Officers often took decisions that were not compliant with National Planning Law or Local Planning regulations. HRA’s planning team had developed a detailed understanding of planning rules and had been successful in ensuring that the vast majority of applications were now fully compliant with both national planning law and local planning policy.

The Planning Officer informed the meeting that the development at Orchard Avenue and the corner of Vicarage Farm Road had been stopped, that the Tesco/Home Base site public enquiry would be starting this month, and that the proposed development on New Heston Road had been withdrawn. The Chair advised that the last 18 months had been very difficult and stressful and as a consequence he had decided to step down from office but would stay on the Committee if re-elected..

Election of Officers and Committee members Chairman: No Nominations. Vice Chairman: David Blackett. Treasurer: Nick Marbrow. Secretary: No Nominations. Membership Secretary: I Hansen. Advertising A/C: Planning Officer: J Mullins.

Committee members elected: Mangal Chudha, M MacLachlan. S Goyal, R Bhatti, V. Blackett, L Dhiri, M.Dhiri, T.Tambiaya, K.Bhatti, M. Edwards.

David Blackett advised that, if members are agreeable, then he would be prepared to be acting chair until a new Chair is appointed. The offer was accepted.

AOB

Mangal Chudha advised that, in his opinion, the constitution of the Association needs to include a “Sunset Clause” in the event that it becomes necessary to close the Association. He suggested the following words:

“If the General Committee by simple majority decides at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, it shall call a Special Meeting of all members of the Association who have the right to vote. Notice of not less than 21 days of the Special General Meeting stating the resolution to be proposed shall be given. If such a decision shall be confirmed by a two thirds majority of those present and voting at the Special Meeting, the General Committee shall direct the Executive Committee to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the Association after satisfaction any debts and liabilities.”

No formal proposal was made. No decision was taken on the issue.

Acting Chair asked those present to let him have any ideas for speakers at future general meetings.

Acting Chair advised that with regarding to RAM magazine he had been editor for several years with the support of Lyn Streather, but Lyn wants to retire at the end of 2022. He had concluded that production of RAM would therefore cease with effect from 31 Dec 2022. The meeting ended at 20:43