Committee Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 January 2009 at 9 Frosterley Close, Newton Hall, Durham
Present: D Gibson, R Cowen, J Hogg, R
Logan, D Sowerbutts
1. Apologies:
None.
2. Minutes of last meeting
Accepted.
3. Matters arising
Julie mentioned that it was now anticipated Saltholme would open on January 21. This would not be the official opening.
4. Correspondence
Three pieces of interest were:
» RSPB members meeting at York on 17 to 19 April.
» Big Garden Bird Watch on 24/25 January - its 30th birthday.
» The logo is now "A million voices for nature". RSPB wants them to speak up for the marine environment, no doubt as the Marine Bill is now before Parliament.
5. Lottery Bid
David G had completed the application and had asked David S to sign it. There are some points that needed to be noted before the application was signed. It was agreed to pursue the application.
6. Norfolk Trip
David S said enough people had expressed an interest. David G had obtained some details re accommodation and costs but needs to firm these up and pass to David S urgently.
7. Winter Field Trip
Julie mentioned the minibus was available for the same price as last year. She hopes to check the site and area a week or two before the trip.
8. Field Meetings Summer 2009
The following dates and locations were agreed:
» Thurs 7th May - Tunstall Reservoir, leaving 6.30pm
» Wed 27th May - Page Bank, leaving 6.45 pm
» Tues 9th June - Moorland (TBA), leaving 6.30 pm
All departures from the University Science Site.
9. Speakers 2009/10
We considered some persons to approach for speaking during to 2009/10 season. David G agreed to make some approaches to see if any were available.
10. AOB
» Richard mentioned he was concerned about the RSPB campaign on Climate Change and in particular could not support continued wind energy or opposition to the proposed Kingsnorth power station in Kent. While he accepted this is not in accord with RSPB policy and did not oppose the principle of renewable energy, the vast majority of applications are for wind farms and there are distinct problems with many of these. He believes there is an energy gap emerging and, while we should strive for carbon capture and as clean technology as possible, he could not realistically object to proposals such as Kingsnorth. His view was noted.
» He was also concerned about a proposal for a wind farm at Red Gap, at the A689/A19. His concern here was its proximity to Crookfoot Reservoir. It was agreed he should contact Teesmouth Bird club to see if they have concerns about this application.
» David S mentioned that 68,600 records had now been entered for the Bird Atlas in Durham. This does not include any paper entries. 120 people had contributed in the Durham area, only about half of them actually being members of RSPB.
11. Date of next meeting
7 April 2009 at 9 Frosterley Close.
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