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  Minutes of our AGM held on Monday December 5th 2011

 

·      Robert Jennings welcomed Friends who were in attendance. As this was only our second AGM he reminded the meeting that the Friends’ core activities and focus are the maintenance, renewal and sensitive enhancement of Brook Green with the aim of improving its appearance and facilities and promoting its responsible use. The Friends organises events with a view to bringing enjoyment to local people, to fostering the sense of community in our locality and to raising funds for investing in the Green. In all our endeavours we seek on an enduring basis to protect and enhance the character  and value of Brook Green as an amenity of benefit to the whole community.

·      Robert Jennings and Kit van Tulleken were re-elected and Harriet Hewitson, Melanie Honnor and Simon Bullivant were elected to the Board of the Friends. The accounts of the Friends were then laid before the meeting.

·      Gillon Campbell reported on the current stage of our discussion with the Brook Green Association regarding the merger of the two organisations and the reasons why he strongly welcomes this possibility. Friends were invited to give their views on this matter by e-mailing info@friendsofbrookgreen.org.uk. The detail of how the merger might be accomplished is still being worked on and our intention would be to hold a further General Meeting before committing to the Merger.

·      Gillon also gave an update on the exclusive discussions the Friends has been having with LBH+F about taking on a 25 year franchise to upgrade and operate the tennis courts. He noted that this will only proceed if we are able to secure a grant to upgrade the Courts which we are negotiating simultaneously with the Lawn Tennis Association. Redevelopment of the hut will allow there to be a tennis shop/reception and a kiosk. Both should make a financial contribution to the ongoing maintenance and renewal requirements in order to keep the Courts in an acceptable and better condition than  has been the case historically. The hut will also provide washroom facilities and some storage space.

·      Michelle Townsend commented on the Plans for renewing and enlarging the Playground around creative and imaginative play principles with less emphasis on prescriptive items of equipment around flat and dull surfaces. To deal better with the broad age range of children who use the Playground, the design introduces informal zoning and encourages sensible risk taking. She noted that it is now hoped that the Playground upgrade would be delivered in time for Brook Green Day Fair 2012 (on 8th September)

·      Robin Barttelot reviewed the success of the Vision Implementation Group as a forum for building consensus around the proposed improvement programmes for Brook Green and in handling the concerns of affected parties. He thanked outside organisations, particularly Halcrow, for the valuable help they have lent to this process. He noted the Group will be moving to resolve issues on the north side of the tennis courts, the positioning  of  benches on the Green and plans to improve the Western Lawn and Little Brook Green. He added that in his personal view the proposed merger of the Friends and the Brook Green Association is to be strongly welcomed.

 

Robert Jennings noted that sadly few of the good things we had been discussing would proceed if we can’t get funding for them and that if we leave it to LBHF on their own, the likelihood is that the Green will start to go into noticeable decline. He noted that in order to fulfil the Vision in its entirety investment in the Green in the order of £700,000 is likely to be required over many years. The Phase 1 works covering the playground upgrade and expansion, the hut and the areas to the north and south of the tennis courts will be roughly half this sum. The Council is seeking Cabinet approval for a contribution of £75,000 in 2012/13 and so far we have secured donations and commitments amounting to a further £60,000. He said that for these we are deeply grateful to the generosity of the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, the William Allen Young Charitable Trust and to Western Riverside Environmental Trust, who collectively  have contributed £50,000. The balance comes from the surpluses generated by the Friends, particularly from the Brook Green Day fair, and from the Brook Green Association. He noted that we have made other applications and that we should hear if we are to receive further awards in January. But there will still be a big gap and to fill part of it we intend to launch an Appeal targeting local households and the users of the Green in the New Year.