Minutes of the Committee Meeting - Tuesday 25th August 2009 - Salem Village Hall 2.00

1) Present were John Lloyd, Rob Hunt, George Causley, Derek Moore, Wendell Thomas and Owen and Beth Harris. Apologies were received from Diana Jones.

2) The Minutes of the meeting held on the 24th February were approved.

3) These were also approved for posting on the website.

4) Matters Arising

1. Owen reported that the car stickers were now available from the Treasurer, price £1

5) Conservation Matters

1. Coedbach - There is no report of progress at present and disappointingly the project continues to be on hold with the Council marking time and Sarah Kessel settling in to her new post. him
2. Witchett Pool - John Lloyd and Derek Moore reported on their recent visit. It was an exciting place with a full suite of the common British warblers though less so for water birds. It is probably a significant site for breeding Gadwall however. Access is still restricted.
3. Dipper Boxes - No suggestions have been offered to John for the siting of boxes following his appeal in the Newsletter.

6) Publications

1. Site Guide - Owen reported that Ian had completed the suggested revisions of the guide and had prepared a suitable map. Bernie Beck had provided line drawings to illustrate it and Derek offered photographs. It is ready for the printers. Owen will obtain an estimate and approach Isabel Macho for part funding which Derek believed was available.
2.  Birds of Carmarthen - John Lloyd reported all sections were now complete though some updating was necessary. We are still on target to seek publication in 2010.

7) Report of the County Recorders

Derek reported that descriptions were still not forthcoming when required and those completed were well below the desired standard. Derek was prepared to be lenient in the case of county records but Welsh records and in particular National records were in great danger of being lost in consequence. The overall result diminishes the usefulness of County records and impedes the conservation efforts as information on uncommon and rare birds is not recorded.

Though very frustrated by this Derek’s resignation as County Bird Report Editor has been triggered by the need to begin writing two books for which he is contracted. It is with regret and thanks for all his hard work in putting the report back on track that his resignation was reluctantly accepted.

8) BTO

There is now an urgent need to advertise in the newsletter for a BTO representative.

Work on the atlas is progressing reasonably satisfactorily and though no part of the county has been identified as an area of concern John hopes to get the West of the county so designated in order to obtain professional help in completing the coverage.

9) Programme of Meetings

Wendell commented on the success of recent meetings. The trip to Crychan well attended with 14 enjoying excellent views of Nightjars. A similar number attended the Tern watch and though only a handful of birds obliged it was felt that the importance of such outings was to introduce suitable sites to members.

Forthcoming events are:

12.09.2009 | 09.30 Visit to the Newport Wetlands

21.10.2009 | 19.30 Annual General Meeting

11.11.2009 | 19.30 An illustrated talk by Mr. Dave Rich

02.12.2009 | 19.30 Honey Buzzards and other raptors by Mr. Steve Roberts

09.01.2010 | 09.15 Annual visit to Whitford Burrows

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

10) Secretary’s Report

This centred on discussion of the e-mail correspondence with the representative of Bird Group in Agen, France which is twinned with Llanelli. They have proposed hosting 8 – 10 birders next spring or winter. This was of course in the expectation of a reciprocal visit at some stage. It was decided to consult members at the AGM concerning their interest for the committee was well aware that if the contact is begun we must have the commitment to see it through. If there is interest it was either hoped to contact a member when they next visit Llanelli.

11) Newsletter

In Diana’s absence Owen reported that he had received the necessary information from Diana and would complete the newsletter to be sent out with the notice of the AGM in mid September. Diana’s resignation for family reasons was noted with regret though her valuable contribution over the past six years was noted with appreciation. Julie Evans has agreed to take over the Newsletter and it was agreed that she should sit on the next committee either by co-option or as a member representative in place of Jennie Evans.

12) 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, and the 2008 Report. It was noted that though membership had fallen slightly which will be a cause of concern if it is a continuing trend, nevertheless, in view of the continuing satisfactory financial position it was decided to make a recommendation to the AGM that the level of subscriptions for the year 2010 – 2011 remain unchanged while also noting that the likelihood of having to begin to pay speakers some form of travel expenses it would probably be necessary to raise subscriptions in the following financial year.

13) Website

John reported that further advertisers on the web site which should bring a little extra income to the Club. However, a rather mysterious approach from some firm in “the leisure industry” was declined. John is to continue to communicate with Mark.

14) AOB

1. Arrangements for the AGM were in hand. A draft agenda was approved by the committee which is to include the change in constitution regarding officers being able to continue after six years service if elected. The proposed change reads:

Under section 4: Sentence currently reads:

Committee members shall be elected at an AGM and shall serve for three years but may be re-elected for a further term. After serving on the committee for a period of six years, a member is not eligible for election to the committee until a period of three years has elapsed.

Proposed amendment:

Committee members shall be elected at an AGM and shall serve for three years but may be re-elected for further terms.

It was also decided to invite members to comment on the twinning proposal with the bird group in Agen at the AGM.

14) Time, place and date of next meeting.

It was decided to postpone this decision until the composition of the Committee is changed following the AGM.