By: HAA Admin
MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF HILLINGDON ARTS ASSOCIATION
MONDAY 16TH JANUARY 2023 at the CIVIC CENTRE, UXBRIDGE
PRESENT
Lydia Holland, Trustee, Chair, Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra
Sylvia Taylor Trustee, Argosy Players
Fred Davis, Trustee, Web Master and Membership secretary
Jenny Thorne, Trustee, Hillingdon & Harrow Embroiders Guild
Richard Fremantle, Treasurer
Pam Currin, Eastcote/Ruislip Choral Society
Ron and Gloria Webb, Voices in Accord
Michele Needleman, UxChor and Sine Nomine Singers
Steven Davis, Visitor
Sheena Rosser, Hillingdon Artists
Barbara Porket, Society of Ruislip Artists
Joyce Carpenter, Society of Ruislip Artists
APOLOGIES
Gaynor Lasch, Ickenham Art Society
Christine Terry, Sine Nominee
Maggie Warren, Pastiche
Tricia Kirkham, Ickenham Floral Art Society
Sheila Scoates, Trustee, Award Officer, Hillingdon U3A Singers
David Pearson, Proscenium
1. WELCOME
Lydia welcomed those present and for battling the very cold weather. She was pleased to learn that arrangements for pre-booking carpark spaces appear to be working. Car Registration for those wishing to attend meetings should be given to Sheila at least three days prior to a meeting. Email scoates.sheila@hotmail.com. She apologised for the late arrival of the Agenda and Minutes of the 16th October meeting. This had been caused by several issues which hopefully are now resolved and members will receive Minutes and Notice of meetings directly to their email address in addition to the HAA web site.
2. APOLOGIES
The names of Joyce Webb, Lisa Enwright and John Verity to be added to Apologies for the October meeting.
3. MINUTES and MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES of 16th OCTOBER 2022
Concern had been expressed that there appeared to be some discrepancy between the Annual Accounts prepared by Fred Davis, the retiring Treasurer and those presented to the Annual Meeting by Richard Fremantle, the new Treasurer. Lydia assured the meeting that there was no discrepancy, but the apparent variation had resulted from a page being omitted from those presented to members at the Annual Meeting. This has now been resolved and the two statements have been found to be compatible.
4. TREASURER’S REPORT AND MEMBERSHIP FEES 2023/24
Richard presented a statement of Account (*appended) which shows a small deficit in 2022/23 but this might be less in the current year 2023/24. The HAA account is now with Lloyds Bank
Some societies are still in arrears for 2022/23 and Treasurers are requested to send in fees as soon as possible. £20 for Societies and £12 for individual members.
It is recommended that Fees for 2023/24 remain at the same level but they will be reviewed for 2024/25. Fees should preferably be paid by Bank Transfer in preference to cheques. If cheques can be the only method of payment, it should be made clear which society or individual is seeking renewal of membership.
5. INDIVIDUAL ARTS AWARD NOMINATIONS 2023/24
Sylvia reminded the meeting that Nominations for an Award would be welcomed. Too often it is a last-minute thought but if members would think about this earlier it would make the Award Officer (Sheila Scoates) job much easier.
7. GRANTS – COUNCIL and OTHERWISE
Some requests for Arts Grants had been received which were not appropriate and so had been refused, others had looked for retrospective grant which has never been allowed. From March 2023 no further Arts Grants are to be given by the Council. This led to a discussion on the need to look for future funding. Richard proposed that every commercial business in Hillingdon should be approached, setting out the need for funding in the light of the Council’s regrettable decision not to support the voluntary Arts sector in the future. Names of Companies and Charitable Trusts are to be researched and any contacts which members have would be appreciated.
8. PUBLICITY OUTLETS
Members were reminded that the last date for the March, April and May issue of WHAT’S ON is llth February. Sheila Rosser reported she had again had difficulty with the website, Steven Davis offered to assist her. Pam Currin thanked Fred for ensuring the entry for their concert had been included in the latest issue of What’s On. She reported that she is endeavouring to co-ordinate concert dates to avoid clashes of programme.
It would be useful to hear how societies are advertising their activities, what innovations have been made since Covid and any ideas for money saving actions would be welcomed. Sylvia reminded members of Hillingdon People, Brunel University newsletter (The Herald) and of course social media aka Face book.
9. WEBSITE MANAGEMENT AND CHANGES TO TRUSTEES ROLES
Fred will continue to manage the website with the support of his son Steven. Lydia has assumed the role of Chair, Sylvia has been replaced as Vice Chair with Jenny and Sylvia has taken on Minutes and Agendas, Sheila has formally taken on the responsibility of Awards Officer and Richard is Honorary Treasurer.
10. HILLINGDON COUNCIL CONSULTATION on the PROPOSED BUDGET for 2022/23
Lydia reported that members had been advised that from April this year no more grant aid is to be made to the Voluntary Arts Sector from London Borough of Hillingdon. This wills not just end Arts Grants, it will also affect local charities, sports and any of the other activities run by volunteers for their communities that make life richer and happier.
Since December the Council as placed a Consultation Document on its Website regarding LBC proposed budget for 2023/24. The Council is proposing to raise the hire charges for all its premises that local people can hire by 30%, even though the charges were already raised last year. This will affect all societies that hold meetings or performances in LBH premises. Strangely, Leisure Centre activities sports pitches and athletics are not affected.
The budget proposals can be viewed and downloaded from. https://www.hillingdon.gov.uk/budget-consultation The part that most affects HAA societies is Appendix 3. When downloaded it starts at page 95. The section on room and premises hire starts on Page 125.The section on Arts Theatres and equipment starts on page 129 and runs to page 139.
The new LBH Strategy says “We want all our residents to enjoy culture and Arts”. But there is no Arts Strategy. It has been proved over and over that voluntary-led activity provides much better value than top-down “programmes”, but there is no declared LBH’s strategy or support for the voluntary section.
Lydia urged individual members and not just Hillingdon based Societies, who live in Hillingdon to respond urgently to the consultation online by midnight this Sunday 30th January and tell the council how the huge increase in hire charges will affect your society. If you think the new charges will affect your society in ways that will not be beneficial to Hillingdon residents, wherever you live, please write direct to the Leader of the Council, Ian Edwards at this address leader@hillingdon.gov.uk .
11. NEWS FROM SOCIETIES
As can be seen from the most recent issue of What’s on many Societies have been busy putting on plays, pantomimes, concerts and exhibitions. Absence from tonight’s meeting by Proscenium, Argosy and HADS representatives indicate they are amid productions., all but HADS hire Council venues.
- Ruislip Artists will hold an Exhibition from 26th February to 11th March in the Cow Byre, also demonstrations are planned for members throughout the year.
- Hillingdon & Harrow Embroiders, which can no longer be part of the National Guild have converted to a free-standing Guild with Meetings at Thomas Moore church in Eastcote.
- Town Women’s Guild members have greatly reduced since the pandemic but will continue to hold practical sessions and meetings
- Voices in Accord, were awarded a £500 Grant and held a concert in support of the Mayor’s charity
Their next concert will be held in Buckinghamshire in June.
- Eastcote & Ruislip Artists will hold an Exhibition from 18th to 24th June
Hillingdon Artists now have two venues, ie the Chimes and Pavilions shopping centre. Organisation of volunteers to cover both venues is challenging.
- Southlands Arts Centre, West Drayton. Having undergone major remedial work on the roof and windows the Centre has held one exhibition and groups are slowly returning to the building. The Chairman Tom Wormald and the Administrator have recently both stood down. .Currently there is a drive to increase the number of Trustees and replace the voluntary role of Chair and the part-time paid post of Administrator. A Public meeting is to be held on 9th February to plan for the future.
- Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra is holding a repertoire day on 5th February at Bishopshalt School and will be presenting an Opera evening at Winston Churchill Theatre on 18th March.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, 29th March 2023 at 7.30 pm