AREA MINUTES

Area Meeting held at Mexborough 12th December 2009

PRESENT.

S/M's P.Sutermeister(Area President):McQueen(Chairman):Binney:Bailey:Dibble:Duke:Halder:Horner:Judge:Lewarne:Pointon:Reddick:Sunderland:Taylor:Tubman:Wake:White and McDonald (LVP).

The Area Standard was marched on and the Silent Lament was made for those who have crossed the bar.
S/M's H M Jarman: J A Harman: N Usher: S Hindle:
J Reed: A Pickard and S Hall:

APOLOGIES:
S/M's J Rooney(Area Secretary): A Lawson(Durham):
G Cameron(Halifax): L Walker(Sunderland):

WELCOME;
S/M R Roberts Chairman of Mexborough(the host branch)welcomed all delegates to the meeting and he hoped it would be productive.

CHAIRMAN
The Chairman opened the meeting at 1335hrs and welcomed everyone to Mexborough.He also welcomed S/M Dave McDonald(the new vice-president)to the meeting.Those present had received copies of the notes taken at the previous Area Meeting in September and they were deemed to be an accurate account-these were proposed by S/M J Tubman(Tyne) and seconded by S/M R Dibble(Driffield).

MATTERS ARISING.
S/M T Halder requested the Area notes be amended to read that profits from the York concert would be going to RN & RM Charities and not York Service Charities.

OFFICIAL REPORTS
Area President on Presidents Page.
Area Chairman on Chairmans Page.
NCM's on N C M's Page.
Standard Bearer on Std Bearers Page.
Parade Marshall Nothing to Report.
Treasurer Nothing to report except emails should now be operating and both the currant and deposit accounts are healthy.

BUSINESS.
National Conferance 2012.
There was a very lengthy discussion regarding the venue for the National Conferance in 2012 whether it should be Bridlington or Newcastle. Harrogate branch stated that they would like to host the National Conferance.A lively discussion took place over the method of voting for venues-Harrogate and Tyne branches withdrew their applications from the minutes

FOUL WEATHER JACKETS.
The Area Standard Bearer gave a briefing to the Area Committee on the saga of Foul Weather Jackets.A suitable jacket has been found (made by regatta).The RNA Logo will cost £25,00 to set up initially (paid for by area),and it will cost
£1.50 extra to add No 11 Area.however there is a minimum order of six items required.If any Branch
would like to order a FW Jacket it would only cost the price of the Jacket(£16.59 plus £1,50) to add their Branch name.If your branch would like to order a new FW Jacket (or other items)then please contact S/M Marie Taylor ( Area Standard Bearer).
S/M D McDonald stated that'White Embroidery'also make FW Jackets with Logo's embroidered on. S/M M Taylor will make enquiries regarding their prices etc;.

AREA MINUTE SECRETARY
S/M Liz Lewarne(Spennymoor)has volunteered to take on the task of Area Minute Secretary,however
Area Byelaw No2 'Conduct of Meetings'Para'b' requires amending to read;- The Area may appoint a Minute Secretary from FULL,LIFE or Associate members from within the Area.
AREA SECRETARY PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN AGENDA
ITEM FOR THE AREA AGM.

Sensitive Recording System.
There is a sensitive recording systen somewhere within the area.If you know where it is then please inform whoever has it to bring it with them to the AGM at York.this will now be required by the Minute Secretary.

GAZEBOES and BANNERS.
Spennymoor Branch queried can these be purchased?
(Post meeting note - The Gazeboes can be purchased from Home Base for £104.00 each).
The big banners can be purchased through HQ for a cost of approx £80.00.

RNA YEAR BOOK.
It is recommended as a good read because it contains all the rules however a number of errors have been found in branch entries-will you please check your branch entry is correct if not forward any corrections to Area Chairman (preferably by email).

PROPOSED VISITS TO RNA HQ.
All members are reminded arrangements must be made in advance with RNA HQ. It is a secure area of the Naval Base and the MoD Police are very tight on visitors.

AREA MEETINGS 2010 VENUES.
Please note change of date.

20th march York for AGM
12TH June Sunderland
11th September Spennymoor
11th December Mexborough

The delegate from Sunderland has agreed the date for the June meeting is convenient.There was some discussion about moving the dates for area meetings to the first Saturday in the month.
However this would clash with the NCM attending the Area Meeting so it was felt that the NCM should be available to brief the Area Meeting after the National Council Meeting.

Area Secretary please note- agenda items for the AGM. Area Meetings should be held on the Saturday following the National Council Meeting.

York branch queried how many branches from the area would be attending the National Conferance in France'A quick count was taken and 6 of the branches present stated that they would attend. York stated that they would not attend as the cost was not justified.'York questioned if the National Conferance should be held on a North/South basis and was there any support within the area for this proposal.

AREA SECRETARY- This should be included for discussion at the AGM in March.

The NCM said that the General Secretary was approaching the Captain HMS EXCELLENT and the Commodore HMS NELSON about delegates parking theit cars in either establishment and booking overnight accommadation in the senior rates mess at minnimal cost-then joining the ferry as foot passengers.This would reduce the cost considerably(ferry £33,00 return rail fare York to Portsmouth £63.00 return useing the senior rail pass plus the cost of accommodation in france).
The Chairman thanked the Mexborough branch for hosting the event and the staff for providing lunch,and he wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

The Area Chairman commented he was very disappointed at the lack of numbers attending the Area Meeting.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
1.Should the size of the area committee be reduced to a more manageable number e,g, 7 in total.
2. The Chairman holds a lightweight 11 foot flagpole (including RNA Flag) if you require this please contact Area Chairman.
3. S/M Jack Horner has stated that the Area trailer is looking for a good home-any offers.

Minutes signed on original by I A McQueen Area Chairman.

NB
All Branch Secretaries should note the change of datefor the AGM.The Area Chairman is on holiday untill 7th March 2010 and the following weekend is the National Council Meeting. Therefore I have decided to change the date to the 20th March.