Wilford Community Group

Minutes of the committee meeting

held on Monday 9th July 2007

at Wilford Social and Bowls Club

Present:

Brian Hardy (BH Chairman

Sheila Atherton (SA) Treasurer

Bill Roughton Vice Chairman

Chris Allsopp (CA)

Stephanie Taylor (ST)

Frank Wakelin (FW)

Apologies:

Roger Steel, Dave Boulton, Ed Armstrong

The meeting had been called at short notice by the Chairman in order to discuss issues related to a planning application to erect wind turbines close to Iremonger’s Pond in Wilford Village. Local residents, other than those on Coronation Avenue, had not been canvassed for any opinion. The deadline for comment was Thursday 11^th July 2007.

BR began the discussion by asking whether it was right that a letter should go to Rushcliffe BC in the name of the group when two committee members strongly disagree with the sentiments contained in it? These two members are strongly in favour of the plan. Some committee members object to it and others feel that there has been insufficient opportunity to examine the pros and cons at this point.

The Chairman expressed his annoyance that the tone of emails exchanged between members on the subject of the plan had become personal and offensive. He was particularly outraged that one committee member had disguised his identity on a discussion website in order to, apparently, demonstrate greater support for the plan than is actually evident at the moment.

BR said that the letter drafted by the Secretary (DB) had been too strongly worded and tried to dictate to committee members what their opinion should be. He believed the objections contained in it were weak and not representative of local residents’ opinions since we don’t know what they are and have had no opportunity to find out to any great extent.

CA had suggested that if the letter was sent in its current form there should be a sentence at the end stating that although it was sent in the name of WCG at least two committee members did not agree with it. BH said that this would be a ridiculous situation and make the group look ineffectual. He also pointed out that it is rare for all group members to agree with everything so a disclaimer of this nature would have to be added to every future letter on any issue. He was not prepared to accept this situation and would resign rather than agree to it.

There was some detailed discussion about the nature of wind turbines, their efficiency and their effect on the local environment. SA and others also expressed concern about the erection of anything on the flood plain. BR had discovered that the foundations for turbines would need to be very deep in order to support them during very windy periods. This prompted some further discussion about construction traffic but again opinion was divided about the effect on village roads and residents.

SA pointed out that in order to have any effect on the plans at all the group has to write in objection, otherwise our queries would not be addressed. ST and SA both reiterated that the letter is not really an objection to the plan per se but more to the way in which local residents have been ignored, and the WCG in particular. We did not have enough information to object or fully support at this time. BR offered the opinion that is was not right to send a letter on behalf of the WCG committee, when there was not full agreement within the group.  BH suggested that a majority opinion was more important than unanimous agreement, and most committee members who were present, agreed with this stance.

The group then agreed to an amended letter that was more acceptable to those who strongly support the scheme. The amended letter was to include the first few paragraphs of DB’s draft letter only. ST agreed to contact DB tonight and send the amended letter tomorrow by email to meet the deadline.

The meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.

Approved…Brian Hardy…….(Chairman)

Date………16^th July 2007………..