Eastside Roots General Meeting

1st October 2007

Minutes

Present: Pete, Jen, Alex, Sam
Apologies: Rach

Note: action points are highlighted, eg *Alex*

1.0 Bank Account
1.1 Bank account now set up with Co-op bank
1.2 Sam and Jen have debit card each and there is one cheque book and
one paying-in book. At present, *Sam* to file bank correspondence and
keep hold of cheque book and paying-in book
1.3 *Sam* to liaise with Shereene (CDA) to set up account balance
sheets, create a list of assets and set up petty cash system

2.0 Lease
2.1 We have been liaising with a solicitors company in London to get
legal advice on the lease, but are still awaiting feedback. We
initiated this process in early August
2.2 Liz (BEST) is worried that we might pull out and made it clear
that there is a time pressure on the funding and has hinted that the
funding could be spent else where.
2.3 Agreed to take turns to chase Mark Traynor (solicitor) each day
this week – direct line 0207 551 7368
2.4 *Sam* to liaise with Liz re funding and remind Liz that we are a
co-op and she can liaise with all members, not just Jen and to ensure
Liz has our mobile numbers
2.5 Water and electricity are being sorted by Sarah Collins, fencing
and portacabin next issues on agenda

3.0 Time and Energy
3.1 All directors feeling pressures of time and financially everyone
having to work at the moment
3.2 Discussed everyone's individual time and energy
constraints/commitments and agreed that it's essential we communicate
regularly with each other about this issue
3.3 Jen and possibly Pete unable to continue with Monday workdays at
trinity due to work commitments
3.4 Everyone able to commit to monthly meetings, one off workshops and
where possible regular workdays
3.5 It was recognised that we will need a huge burst of energy when we
take on Stapleton Rd site
3.6 All agreed that doing workdays by self is missing the point of
community garden centre
3.7 In light of the above, it was agreed that there's a need for a
community meeting to promote the co-op, look for volunteers and ideas.
*Jen* to email BPG with garden centre update and date of community
meeting on 7th November at 7pm. Suggested venue – lego church and
agreed it would be nice to adjourn to pub afterwards

4.0 Store Room at Temple Meads
4.1 Sam and Jen visited TM station with Sarah Collins and looked at
potential salvageable stuff from station store room – identified
trolleys, benches, lockers and cabinets
4.2 Sarah Collins has been chasing us to arrange to move the stuff.
*Alex* to phone Sarah to arrange day next week to move stuff. *Sam*
to arrange man with van

5.0 Trinity Site
5.1 Jen and Tom met with Trinity staff and suggested using the "footy
area" to grow food. Trinity want to see a plan
5.2 There is currently a homeless person staying in the polytunnel –
to secure would need to fix a back door as well as lock. Suggested
building another raised bed in the area which is now a space as that
would reduce sleeping area
5.3 Tom and volunteers from asylum seekers centre currently at trinity
site: Mon am, Wed pm and Thurs pm
5.4 Acknowledged that it is unfortunate that the increase in input
from Tom has coincided with reduction in cover for workdays – see funding

6.0 Funding
6.1 In recognition of 5.4, agreed to offer Tom some of the Fed's time
with Paul to apply for funding for the work he is doing. *Jen* to
feedback to Tom
6.2 *Pete* to look at Biffa funding form
6.3 *Sam* to contact Rach re funding and policy work she's done.
Also, to arrange goodbye do.

7.0 SPAN conference
7.1 Leaving 9.59am from Temple Meads, Jen has tickets
7.2 Arranged meeting for 11th Oct 6pm to prepare presentation – Sam,
Alex, Jen to attend

8.0 Workshop at Trinity on 20th Oct
8.1 *Pete* to sort promo
8.2 Need apples and pears for pressing

9.0 Date of Next Meeting
9.1 Tuesday 30th October, 6-8pm. Venue to be confirmed