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Alex Fergusson MSP attends AGM
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF WHITHORN AND DISTRICT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, HELD ON MONDAY 19TH JANUARY 2009
Welcome to members, potential members, Councillor Nicol and the guest of honour, Alex Fergusson MSP, and Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament. It was regretted that Inspector Gordon Smith, who had been expected at the meeting, had been called away on urgent operational matters.
Apologies from Councillor Sandra McDowall, Paul Boulton-Lea, Virginia Hayden
Minutes of the AGM 2008: proposed by Janet Butterworth and seconded by Margaret Cooper
Gill Bailey delivered the Chairman's Report for 2008. She reported that the Committee members had resigned from the CARS Steering Group, which had subsequently folded, but the scheme was now supervised by the Council, with positive results for the streetscape. Responsibility for Christmas lights had been handed over to the Community Council, along with a balance of £350, spare rope lights and, thanks to work by Janet Butterworth and Forsyth Vance in organising the sale of the former electricity poles, a further £700 had been given to the same cause. Electricity poles had now been undergrounded, a cause which the Association had campaigned for for many years, and the substations strengthened. George Pattison had represented the Association on the Whithorn Trust and continued as Chairman. No news had been received on the Traffic Management Scheme, which had now been on the agenda for several years. Local Councillors were thanked for attendance and input at meetings.
A beach clean had been successfully completed at St Ninian's Cave and Frances Burford was especially thanked for her tireless work in picking up litter, even on Boxing Day.
The Committee had designed and produced mugs, teatowels, Christmas cards, and the soon-to-be-produced reusable shopping bag in Whithorn's traditional maroon and white colours. Julia was thanked for repainting the fingerpost in the town's tourist area at The Pend.
Council, Community Council and police, as well as Newton Stewart representatives were thanked for their support of the CCTV project for the town, with the prospect of 24 hour linkage to Stranraer police station. In pursuit of its green objectives, the Association had purchased an energy efficiency monitor, which measured the efficiency of electrical appliances.
Janet Butterworth delivered the Secretary's report and thanked Julia for minute-taking and distributing agendas.
Linda Vickers presented the audited accounts, showing a healthy balance : most income came from sales of merchandise.
Julia Muir Watt explained that the Committee proposed a Business Directory, covering at least the South Machars, and all businesses from taxis to hairdressing and accommodation. It would be paid for from advertising revenue and distributed free of charge to households and information points. Businesses were invited to take application forms and also to hand out to friends and colleagues, for collection prior to February 28th . Information leaflets on various aspects of Whithorn history and culture were also proposed, as was a magazine article in DGB Life.
The Committee was nominated for re-election as a whole by Mick Vickers, seconded by Cathy. Margerie Clark was nominated as a new member by Julia Muir Watt and Eddie Richards; Cathy was nominated by Gill Bailey and Julia Muir Watt
Alex Fergusson MSP gave an amusing and interesting account of his life and role as Presiding Officer, explaining the extent of the committee work it involved, and the way in which the PO represented the Parliament to the outside world. The audience asked a wide variety of questions, ranging from the running costs of the Parliament, the role of civil servants, the help it could offer small businesses, the constitutional nature of a referendum on independence, the dominance of Scots at Westminster, the way in which banking executives could be called to account, and a proposal for a people's bank at the Post Office. Gill Bailey proposed a vote of thanks.
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