1. Present were John Lloyd, Rob Hunt, George Causley, Wendell Thomas and Owen and Beth Harris. Apologies were received from Derek Moore and Diana Jones.
   
    
2. The Minutes of the meeting held on the 24th February were approved.
    
3. These were approved for posting on the website with one     minor amendment.
   
    
4. Matters Arising
   
   
   1. Derek is still to speak to Iolo re a supply of Welsh language field guides for schools.  He will follow this up on his return from France.
   2. Owen reported that a sticker had been designed with the club logo in the club blue on a white background.  It was decided to order 200 printed with the logo and website only.  Owen and George are to arrange.
   3. There had been no reply from Heather Coates re the Secretary’s letter enquiring whether alternative sources of funding for the Ringing Group had been sought.                 
   4. The web-master had removed the necessity for a species count when entering sightings on the web site and had Owens’s name to the contact list.  Owen reported that as a result he had already received several sightings reports and descriptions in the Derek’s absence.
      
       
5. Conservation Matters
   
   
   1. Coedbach - There is no report of progress at present and disappointingly the project appears to be on hold.  However, Rob Hunt reported that an opponent of the Power Station Scheme had purchased the lease of a plot of land lying between the river and the railway line and alongside Coed Bach.  He had kindly offered the use of the land for conservation purposes if this was felt to be of value as he had no personal use for it.  Upon consulting the map it was felt that it would, at the very least, be of value as the site of a hide for observing Coed Bach at closer quarters.  Rob is to pursue this with the leasee making a site visit and seeking the advice of Derek Moore on his return from France.
   2. Witchett Pool - John Lloyd reported that Witchett is in the care of the MOD which makes private security arrangements and therefore negotiations with the Army are pointless.  The good news is that Ian Morgan is in the process of arranging a private visit during the month of June and that members of the committee were welcome to attend.  John Lloyd and Rob Hunt both expressed a wish to do so.
   3. Dipper Boxes - John Lloyd’s solo campaign has borne fruit.  Following a recent meeting the County Conservation Officer, Isabel Macho had agreed to sit a number of Dipper boxes.  John asked for (a) a list of bridges recently repaired by Carmarthenshire CC where Dippers had been previously sighted and now were no longer present and (b) a list of suggestions of suitable bridges where Dippers are present.  Suggestions to John please.  The Club is to supervise this initiative.
      
       
6. Publications
   
   
   1. Site Guide - Owen reported that he had spoken to Ian Hainsworth who felt that though the guide was not yet in a suitable form for publication he was happy for the club to do whatever was required to achieve this though he did not wish to play any further part in the process.  The draft had been circulated to certain members who had particular knowledge of certain sites for their comments.  These had been universally been full of praise for Ian’s efforts compliments had been passed on to Ian.  Rob Hunt and Gary Harper had completed their comments and these should be with the Secretary within the next fortnight.  Once maps have been prepared, illustrations to hand have been added and the draft amended the final proof will be prepared by Owen and Mark Newton in consultation with Ian and deposited at the printers.  The treasurer confirmed that funds are to hand to cover printing costs.
   2. Birds of Carmarthen - John Lloyd reported that once the Atlas season was over he would seek to ready the draft for publication liaising with the Secretary on the process.  We would then seek a publisher with a view to publication in 2010.
       
7. Report of the County Recorders - The Assistant Recorder reported that the database of records for 2008 was completed in early March and passed on to Derek Moore.  The Report writing should now be well under way.
   
    
8. BTO - Little to report other than Colin Jones had now made final his retirement as County Representative.  Unfortunately there are no obvious replacement candidates though of course John will carry on his excellent work.
   Atlas - The Chairman reported that there would be a major review of progress on the Atlas in the autumn once the summer recording was completed.  At this stage we would publish to the Club the data for the first two winter periods illustrated by distribution maps.  This would provide an opportunity to begin a concerted effort to complete coverage over the last two years of the Atlas period.
   
    
9. Programme of Meetings - Wendell commented on the success of recent meetings.  The talk on Dragon Flies was well received by twenty members who enjoyed some high quality photography.  The trip to Dinas was well attended and all the target species were seen.
   
   Forthcoming events are:

19.06.2009 | 20.30 Nightjars Crychan Forest
18.07.2009 | 10.00 Dragonflies and Butterflies  Kenfig Pool

Wendell proposes a Tern watch at Burry Port in August and a visit to The Newport Wetlands in September, the latter in the company of our friends from the Gwent Ornithologists.

Following the AGM on Wednesday 21st October Wendell is hoping that Derek Moore might give a talk.  Owen will approach Derek via e-mail.

Further information will be available on the club web site as usual.

Members of the Committee expressed their appreciation of Wendell’s efforts and spoke of the importance of his contribution to the Club.

10. Newsletter
    
    In Diana’s absence Wendell appealed for material for the next newsletter.  The Secretary will supply Diane with material regarding sightings and news.
     
11. Treasurer’s Report
    
    An interim statement of accounts was presented to the meeting.  The Club is solvent and able to meet future demands made by the publication of the Site Guide, the 2008 Report and the printing of car stickers.  It was noted that at the next meeting of the Committee consideration will have to be given to a recommendation to the AGM regarding the proposed level of subscription for the year 2010 – 2011.
     
12. Website
    
    A start has been made in finding advertisers on the web site which should bring a little extra income to the Club.  It was noted that several new members have been recruited via the site with these paying by Pay Pal.
     
13. AOB
    
    
    1. The Chairman reported on the issue recently raised by member Neil Lewis concerning the destruction of House Martin nests in his immediate neighbourhood.  In view of the advanced stage of the season John felt that the most appropriate action, agreed with Neil, was the issue of a press release to local newspapers and radio pointing out the legal position and the responsibilities confronting the owners and occupiers of property. This is to be released in good time next spring.
    2. There was discussion of the October AGM.  And the date was set for Wednesday 21st.  Attention was paid to the fact that the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Recorder, Treasurer and Events Organiser were all subject to re-election.  Furthermore, it was recognised that as the Constitution stands at present the Chairman, Events Organiser and Recorder having served two three year terms on the Committee could not stand for re-election until a period of three years had elapsed.  Discussion centred on the difficulty in replacing a these positions especially when, in some cases, the incumbents were prepared to continue.  In the light of this the following decisions were made:-
       1. To invite nominations for all the vacant positions.
       2. To ask the members at the AGM to amend the constitution in order to make the positions of Recorder and events Organiser a separate category, not subject to the two term rule but Officers of the Club who sit on the Committee in an ex officio capacity.  They would, of course, still be subject to re-election after a three year term of office.
       3. To ask the members at the AGM to approve an amendment to the constitution to omit the two term rule.
          (Just a thought but this, on reflection, is unnecessarily complicated. If amendment (iii) is implemented there will be no need for amendment (ii).  Perhaps we can revisit this at the next meeting when we agree the wording of the proposed amendment(s).)
       4. The Chairman made clear his wish to stand down this year regardless of these proposed rule changes.  Rob Hunt expressed a willingness to stand for election in his place.  The Secretary, Treasurer, Events Organiser all indicated a willingness to stand for re-election.  Owen will e-mail Derek to clarify his position.

Owen will put an item in the forthcoming newsletter giving advanced notice of the AGM and inviting nominations for those positions up for re-election.

The positions of the Member representatives on the Committee are not subject to re-election until 2010.

14. Time, place and date of next meeting. Salem Village Hall, Tuesday 25th August at 2.00.PM