Wednesday 27 October 2021 at 7:30pm via Zoom
Present
Councillor Barnacle (Chair), Jim Pritchard, Councillor Purves, Rev Liz Stenhouse, Ben Thornber, John Wheatley
Apologies
Marian Anness, Trudy Duffy, Nicola Marchant
The previous minutes of the 06 October 2021 meeting were agreed but Chair pointed out that he had mistakenly omitted Councillor Callum from the attendance list, even though he had facilitated the zoom meeting, so profuse apologies rendered. Chair intimated we would need a tea-break after 40 minutes because Callum’s facility doesn’t operate longer, without a break. In the event, we were cut off at that point but had concluded matters.
The whole meeting was really taken up with consideration of whether or not we should join with Muckart in establishing a Trust, following the Chair’s report of a long phone discussion with Matthew Pease re same. It appears that Muchart are experiencing similar problems to ourselves in generating sufficient support to establish a Trust and Chair had mentioned that we had previously considered a possible joint approach but initially discounted it. There was some initial enthusiasm for exploring this approach further, which was later tempered by comment that we could be seen as being too negative and sending the wrong message. It was decided that we would firstly seek to make contact with folk who had expressed interest in a Fossoway Trust through the website and at the Gathering. Rev Liz offered to ask the Church Kirk Session if we could use the Elizabeth Wilkie Hall for a public meeting of the Steering Group and those who have expressed interest. This is now confirmed for the evening of Wednesday November 24th 2021 at no charge (promise of a donation later) with the Steering Group meeting first at 7:00pm and the public attending at 7:30pm. Jim is to send out invites to those who have expressed interest. We made a decision to form a company limited by guarantee, to be ratified at this next meeting (hopefully Matthew would attend to observe proceedings), along with a membership fee. Face Masks would be required for the meeting.
Chair had ascertained from the DTA that we need a minimum of 3 board members but preferably 5 and a minimum of 20 paid up members from the community. (NB Chair prepared to serve on the board and hopes enough members of the Steering Group can provide the required board membership). Only after the scheduled meeting can we decide how to proceed!
End of minute.