Minutes of  41st ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the Leicestershire Repeater Group held on

Thursday 12th May 2016 at 8.00pm at The Greyhound Inn, Main Street, Botcheston, Leicestershire, LE9 9FF


The Chairman welcomed all present and took the attendance list.

Present: 2E0DSQ, 2E0WLR, 2E0XAY, G0ATR, G0DMB, G1UOZ, G3TQF, G4AFJ, G7LRS, M1GPO, M1NAS, M3WZV, M6BYL, M6CBM,

Apologies: G4SJX, G8OBP, G4ZQT, M0OFL, M6JEN.

Minutes of 2015 AGM had previously been circulated and were taken as read.

There was one amendment Andy, M6TFO had been present.

The minutes were proposed by M3WZV and seconded by M6BYL.


Treasurer’s Report

G4AFJ reported that we had spent £264 more than the subscription income which was £926.50 despite the purchase of a Yaesu Fusion repeater costing around £950. We received total donations of £1719 approx of which some was donated kit to the tune of £1203. These items of kit should be shown in the balance sheet according to the Constitution and had been added to the inventory of equipment. Cash donations during the year were about £840. We were fortunate that we received about £530 direct silent key proceeds. The Rugby Rally at Princethorpe raised £109 & commission from silent key sales came to £37.50. The electricity bill was reduced by changing supplier and should be aound £750 for the year. The changeover didn't take place until May and the final British Gas bill had inflated the cost. Also there was an unexplained blip in usage from the end of October to April although we conducted an investigation and all appeared normal. We will change supplier in May this time to Scottish Power and our bill should still come in at under £1k. The phone and internet charge has increased from £15 to £22.75/month as we move into our second year. Insurance was reduced due to prices being lowered however the saving was taken up a by increased cost of kit on site. Members should note that using PayPal to pay subs costs the Group.

Members were reminded that the 2014-15 accounts had not been inspected at last year's AGM as there hadn't been enough time available. They had been circulated previously but needed to be adopted by the AGM. M1NAS proposed and M3WGV seconded them. All present agreed. Also the 2015-16 accounts needed approval. They were proposed by M1GPO and seconded by M6CBM. All present agreed.

G4AFJ proposed that the subscription rate for the 2017-18 year be £30 full with concessions at £25. M1NAS seconded the proposal. All present voted in favour. G4AFJ reminded members that this was to ensure that we could maintain a reasonable balance between expenditure and income. He asked members to consider paying their usual sub rate but to add an additional £5 to make up the shortfall we would face over the coming year.

 

Membership Report

G4AFJ reported that we continued to lose some members every year. The membership at the year end was as follows; Life members 7, Full members 21, concessions 15, 5 donors. The total membership was forty-five. There were 10 members lost during the year. He hoped that members woud encourage regular users to join but with advent of the three tier licensing system newly licensed operators were less likely to start by operating on 2 metres.

 

Engineering Manager’s Report

M1NAS reported that the Fusion repeater on GB3CF would be capable of dual mode operation so that existing users could continue to use analogue FM. GB3LE was slightly deaf but would be sorted in due course. GB3UM continued to work well. GB3GV was operating as a digital TV repeater with an additional digital input on 70cm. It was hoped to re-instate the 2m digital receiver later in the year. There had been a problem with spurious transmissions from GB3LEU and it had been taken off air for investigation. The CCTV system on site had been wired up and was ready for connection.

 

Site Manager’s Report

M6BYL reported that he had visited the site sevral times during the growing season. He had removed the hawthorn bush and trimmed around the bunker access.


Chairman’s Report

G4AFJ thanked the outgoing committee for their hard work and support during the year. Apart from G8DKC who had resigned from the committee in March and M6CDM all the other members of committtee were willing to stand again.

 

Election of Officers

Chairman: G4AFJ proposed by M1NAS seconded by M3WZV. All agreed

Secretary: no proposals so post vacant.

Treasurer: no proposals. G4AFJ would continue in the role.

Engineering Manager: M1NAS proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M3WZV. All agreed.

Site Manager: M6BYL proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M1GPO. All agreed.

Election of Committee (three members)

M1GPO proposed by M6CBM, seconded by M6BYL. All agreed.

M6CBM proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M1NAS. He would assume the role of assistant Engineering Manager. All agreed.

M3WZV proposed by G4AFJ, seconded by M6CBM. All agreed.

2E0DSQ proposed by G4AFJ seconded by M1NAS. All agreed.

M0OFL proposed by M3WZV, seconded by M6CBM. All agreed..

G3TQF would be co-opted by the new committee as Beacon Co-ordinator.

The vote of thanks to M1EXO, our accounts examiner, was proposed by M1GPO and seconded by M1NAS. All agreed..

There being no further business the AGM was closed by the Chairman who thanked all for their attendance.


Open Forum

The Chairman asked if any members wished to raise any items for discussion but there were none so the Chairman thanked all for their presence and wished them a safe journey home.