Friends of Leith Hall
Minutes of Extraordinary General Meeting – Saturday 26th of June 2010, Rannes Hall
Distribution: Friends Committee, Website

1. The Meeting was opened by Stewart Petrie who explained to those in attendance the recent events in the Committee that had resulted in the EGM. Namely, Dawn Ranson has resigned as Chair, along with other committee members which led to a meeting with the committee and the NTS. It was acknowledged that recent discussions between all involved had been helpful and was fully recognised by the Friends Committee that communications between NTS, the Friends and the local community needed improving.

2. Tina Low, Secretary of the Friends and Property Manager for Leith Hall, gave an update on where the NTS were on their project. The outline of the project was detailed in the minutes of the meeting held between the committee and the NTS on the 20th of May, and the project is still progressing well. A Conservation Architect has now been appointed to carry out the architectural study in support of the proposed business plan. This report is due by the end of July and will be followed by a fully costed business case by the end of August. Furthermore, the bid for the minor capital works on the Hall has been registered for a full costed submission to the NTS Board at the end of August. It is anticipated that if this bid is granted the capital works could be carried out in early 2011.

Friends member, Mr Kite, raised a concern that the proposal is being pushed through without consultation and to the detriment of the public (given the proposed removal of the Oval room from the public house). Members of the committee replied that, firstly, they were supportive of the NTS in their strategy to make the estate financially self-sufficient without reliance on variable visitor numbers. Secondly that the project will have a consultation period, not least because planning permission must be sought for any works to be completed, and thirdly, it was the Friends intention to support the routine public opening of the Hall on a timetable that delivered as quickly as possible. It was generally felt that waiting on the outcome of the ongoing NTS governance review and for its recommendations to be implemented, before making proposals as to how Leith Hall should best be managed, could jeopardise the immediate future of the Hall.

Mr Kite also raised concerns as to the tenancy agreements that would be in place for the proposed flats, whether tenants would have rights over the public as to entry times, disturbances, noise pollution etc and if the tenants may gain 'right to buy'. The committee suggested that as the project was at a relatively early stage, these details have not been communicated, but is something that it will discuss with the NTS.
It was also asserted that the Friends Committee intends to keep its membership up to date on the progress of the NTS Leith Hall project via it's means of communication (meeting minutes, newsletter & website), and will funnel feedback from its membership to the NTS.
Mr Kite also commented that perhaps mail shot communications were more favourable to e-mails. While the committee agreed with this in principal, the cost was presently prohibitive, though it is something that the committee will keep in mind for future.

3. Voting

a. Amendment to the Constitution to include a Communications Officer who will be an officer on the committee: Proposed by Grainne Patton, seconded by Richard Kite. Agreed.

b. Chair of the Committee: Eileen Law, proposed by Tina Low, seconded by Catharine Coursey. Agreed.

c. Communications Officer. No nominations received so committee will continue to pursue.

d. new committee members:

1. Jim Grant, proposed by Stewart Petrie, seconded by Tina Low. Agreed.

2. Catharine Coursey, volunteered and seconded by Grainne Patton. Agreed.

3. Another committee member is still sought.

4. The floor was handed over to Eileen Law, who is co-ordinating the Sunday openings of the Hall. Eileen and the volunteers have been working hard alongside the NTS to prepare the Hall for opening and a programme of entertainment for the Sundays has been put in place. There was also the request for help with various tasks throughout the summer.

5. Next Friends Committee Meeting to be confirmed.