Meetings and Minutes
Links to the Minutes of all Friends of Leith Hall meetings are at the foot of this page.
The Minutes of the last meeting are given below:
Minutes of Meeting
Friends of Leith Hall – Annual General Meeting
Saturday 25th of June 2011, 2.30pm Rannes Hall Kennethmont
Present: Grainne Patton, Tina Low, Dinah Rennie, Catharine Coursey, Tim Keyworth, Linda Durward, Martin Waterhouse, Steve Callaghan (NTS) and Marion Macdonald.
As a quorum was not achieved at this meeting, it had to be re-scheduled to Tuesday 5th of July 2011, at the Tearoom Leith Hall 6pm.
However, it must be noted that as Steve Callaghan was present an update of the Leith Hall project was given to those who were present and there was the opportunity for questions regarding details and timescales.
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Minutes of Meeting
Friends of Leith Hall – Re-convened Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 5th of July 2011, 6pm Leith Hall Tearoom
Present: Christina Low, Stephen Reeves, Dinah Rennie, Catharine Coursey, Jim Grant, Grainne Patton, Mrs Betty (Elizabeth) Tait, Mr David Wells, Effie Mitchell and Tim Keyworth
Apologies: Linda Durward, Eileen Law, the Cooper family
- Introduction by current Chair – Grainne Patton
The meeting was re-convened and as such a quorum was not required for business to be conducted.
- Summary of Friends Activities 2010 (including financial report)
Grainne has produced the annual report for 2010, detailing all the activities of the Friends Group to date (report to be circulated). It was noted that in the 12 months since the group started there had been a number of committee changes and as this was all a new experience for most of the committee it had been a difficult and slow start, however there were a number of positives from the year including the Summer Sunday Openings, the Calendar sales and Quiz Night. It was felt by all those present that having any events in the Rannes Hall would help keep the community involved in the work of the Friends.
- National Trust for Scotland, Leith Hall Project (Steve Callaghan)
Tina Low gave the update on where the project was to date in Steve Callaghan’s absence.
The project, which consists of capital works to the interior of the Hall to re-configure the letting flats and allow for better commercial activity had been signed off by the Leadership Team of the NTS early in 2011. Planning permission and listed building consents had been submitted for the works in April with an anticipated start date for the works being in September. As of the AGM all timetables and targets for the project had been met and it is hoped that Leith Hall will re-open fully to the public for the 2012 season, but final date to be confirmed. The business case to support the project is based on better commercial activity rather than being visitor driven which has caused issues in the past. It is hoped that the business case will provide a sustainable future for Leith Hall going forward. In the meantime, the NTS has been very grateful for the support of the Friends Group to date and while the Hall is closed will continue to support the Gardens and Estate with projects and events.
- Review of the Friends of Leith Hall Consitution and renewal of goals of The Friends group
In essence the Consitution of the Friends of Leith Hall is fine, but it was suggested that two minor changes be made;
Under ‘Financial Arrangements’ 4.3, it was accepted by the Group that the accounts will be reviewed by an independent qualified person rather than by an auditor.
Under ‘General Meetings’ 6.3, it was accepted by the Group that given the small membership of the Friends, that a quorum will be not fewer than 8 members of the current membership.
Copies of the Constitution with the changes will be distributed to the Membership.
- Committee Positions
Chairperson
Grainne Patton volunteered to stand as Chair for the next year. Seconded by Christina Low. Accepted.
Secretary
Grainne Patton proposed Christina Low to stand as Secretary for the next year. Seconded by Catharine Coursey. Accepted.
Treasurer
Catharine Coursey volunteered to stand as Treasurer for the next year. Seconded by Effie Mitchell. Accepted.
Vice Chairperson
This position remains vacant.
Communications Officer
This position remains vacant.
It was agreed by the group to retain the same committee, so additional committee members are;
Tim Keyworth, Stephen Reeves, Jim Grant, Effie Mitchell, Linda Durward, Dinah Rennie and Martin Waterhouse.
- AOB
It was felt generally that marketing will be the key to encouraging more people to use Leith Hall as a property – this is something that Tina is hoping to expand upon when she establishes her base at Leith Hall in the coming months to allow her to engage more with local advertisers/journalists etc.
Date and Time of Next Committee Meeting
Tuesday 6th September 7.00pm at Leith Hall Tearoom
Meeting 5th Dec 2009, Rannes Hall
Meeting 16th Dec 2009, Leith Hall
Meeting 25th March 2010, Leith Hall
Meeting 13th May 2010, Leith Hall
Meeting 25th May 2010, Leith Hall
EGM Agenda
EGM 26th June 2010, Rannes Hall
Meeting 14th July 2010, Leith Hall
Meeting 7th September 2010, Leith Hall
Meeting 5th October 2010, Leith Hall
Meeting 7th November 2010, Leith Hall
Meeting 5th April 2011, Leith Hall
AGM 5th July 2011, Leith Hall
