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AGM Minutes
Annual General Meeting Thursday October 25th 2007
APOLOGIES
Ray Durkin, Dave Adey, Colin Green.
PRESENT
Tony Deeming, Chairman, Paul Hughes, Treasurer, Dave Adams (for Rabble Youth
Theatre), John & Wendy Foster, Bob & Doris Shufflebotham (for PR Productions),
Paul Reeves, Keith Chandler, George Stokes, Erika Scotto (Arts Development
Officer NBBC), Louise Roden.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The number of
shows being performed at the Theatre has increased however the Treasurer reports
that income is slightly down. Room hire is up by 10% and bar takings by 17%.
The quality of
shows and the standard of publicity/promotional material has also risen.
Ties with ‘Live
and Local’ have been renewed and we hosted one show booked through them in
October (Last Night’s Fun) with another (Heart of England Jazz) booked for
February.
The Theatre
will be also hosting the Warwickshire Drama Festival again next year.
There have been
quite a number of improvements carried out this year.
After many
requests NBBC have finally removed the canopy from outside the front of the
building.
Carol Spencer
came up with a solution for improving wheelchair access to the auditorium and
thanks to the volunteers that turned out to help, the job was successfully
completed in record time.
New tab tracks,
scaffold & ladders and new music stands have all been purchased this year.
A grant from
Warwickshire County Council funded new furniture for the Milby Room and Bar,
low-energy LED stage lighting, and once planning permission is granted, an
illuminated sign for the back of the Theatre (facing Queens Rd.)
FUTURE PROJECTS
Replace existing bar area lights with low energy
lighting.
Illuminated sign (see above).
The state of
the ceiling/roof in Etone Lounge is causing concern, (Plaster falling down) as
is the condition of 1, Pool Bank St.
Costume
hire/storage is in the process of being moved into the upstairs rooms of no.1 so
that downstairs may be let to a charitable organisation. Before this can happen
NBBC need to inspect the building as urgent maintenance work is required which
is their responsibility.
Erika Scotto
said that Dave Hinton is aware of the problems and she promised to ‘chase him
up’, also to pursue the disclaimer form for graffiti clean up.
COSTS
AND HIRE
As decided last year costs and hire fees will be
reviewed and increased annually on 1st. April.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS & COMMITTEE
Existing officers and committee all stood for
re-election.
John Foster proposed accepting committee as it
stands. Seconded by Doris Shufflebotham.
Tony Deeming – Chairman} Proposed John Foster,
seconded Wendy Foster
Paul Hughes - Treasurer} Proposed John
Foster, seconded Wendy Foster
Wendy Foster
- Secretary Proposed Rebecca Ashley, seconded John Foster.
There were no
volunteers for the posts of Funding, Marketing/Publicity, or Building
Maintenance Officers or Volunteer Co-ordinator.
OPEN
DISCUSSION
John Foster
said our priorities should be Etone Room (ceiling) and reducing electricity
bill. Tony gave the meeting a brief run down on the situation re the electricity
accounts and the plan to move to a new supplier (with significant savings) in
January, once current commitments are resolved.
Doris asked if
the heating can be controlled any better. Tony explained that the heating
system is in effect one huge storage heater and is not flexible, it is either on
or off. A new heating/air-conditioning system would cost over £250,000 and is
therefore out of the question. Tony also says that the cellar chiller should
not be turned off.
Bob S. asked
about water costs – New sensors have been fitted in the Gents toilets which
should reduce consumption.
All users to be
encouraged to save energy where possible – i.e. TURN LIGHTS OFFetc.
There then
followed a discussion about Affiliation fees. T.D. said they need to be managed
to be successful. No-one volunteered for post of Subscriptions Officer. Only
£220 had been raised from membership fees. Paul Reeves – scrap it. John F. –
More trouble than they are worth. Dave Adams suggested invoicing for
affiliation. Erika Scotto – Point out to hirers that for affiliation fee they
get publicity via the quarterly programme, mail-shot and website and add said
fee to hiring fees.
John F.
proposed scrapping affiliation fee. Tony D. – must be investigated by Committee
re:- constitution conditions.
Volunteer
staffing was discussed next – difficulties due to more shows.
Paul R. raised
the issue of payments. Tony D. cautious of charging for using technicians.
Bob S.- should
seriously look at paying bar staff. Tony D. – prices would need to rise.
Paul R. Charge
for consumables e.g. gaffer tape etc. not just batteries.
Paul H., Bob &
Doris S. et al - include the above in hire charges.
The last item
discussed was pre and post show inspections – who will do them ? Paul R. said
Stage Managers be responsible.
The meeting
closed at approximately 9.50pm.
Minutes taken by
W. Foster
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