April 2004

Apologies for absence

Dick Tiller attended in place of Tony Roberts who was ill.  The committee welcomed Paul Joslyn who will be looking after the club website.

The buddy link has now been purchased
A list of members is being provided to security at Thames Valley Park.

Flying sites

Dick Tiller attended in place of Tony Roberts to update the committee on progress with looking for a new site.  He reported that contact had been made with a farmer in the Burghfield area.  Whilst that farmer was unable to provide a site he was able to provide telephone numbers for other farmers in the area.  These are to be followed up.

They had also been to Mapledurham and seen the agent there.  They had seen two fields on the Goring road which may be possible, particularly for electric flight.  There are some cottages nearby which could pose problems for power models.  The committee debated whether to pursue a site which may be limited to electric and gliders.  It was agreed that this would be worthwhile depending on the potential cost of the site.  It was agreed to suggest a trial of representative types of models and to quote the fee currently paid for Dreadnought.

The committee agreed that the club should continue to look for an additional site for IC power models whilst pursuing the site mentioned above.  In the event of there being a significant cost to such a site an emergency general meeting of the club would be called to put the proposal to members before entering into a binding agreement.

The committee thanked Dick Tiller for providing this update and agreed that he and Tony Roberts continue to pursue all options.

Club policy on the promotion of welfare and care of children and vulnerable adults in model flying.

The secretary reported that the club had received a copy of the BMFA document on the subject which is also available on the BMFA website.  The secretary and treasurer had also attended a presentation by the BMFA on the policy.

The policy sets out the steps that are advised to ensure compliance with the Children Act 1989.  The particular areas where the club needs to direct its policies are to those who may act as instructors for junior members and the issue of parents leaving juniors at the flying site.  For the purposes of the legislation, a child is a person who has not attained the age of eighteen.  In the policy juniors are also those under the age of eighteen.

For instructors who may teach juniors the specific requirement is for a Criminal Records Bureau check.  This would be carried out in confidence through the BMFA.  The only relevant convictions would be those relating to child abuse.  The only information that would be given to the club would be whether the individual was suitable or not.

The policy suggests the club should appoint a club welfare officer.  Such person should have experience of working with children or vulnerable adults and should have undergone the necessary checks.  Martin Dance agreed to take on this role as he is a school teacher and has already been through the process.

The committee agreed that the club should adopt the policy and would ask those instructors who are involved in the training of juniors whether they would be willing to undergo the suggested checks. 

The committee agreed also to adopt the draft of the letter to be sent to parents of children who are joining the club.

The policy is available on the BMFA website and the club will, in due course, place a copy of its own policy on the club website. 

Any Other Business

Jack Bishop has the offer of a flying site near Wantage should the club ever find itself without a site.

Dave Belcher informed the committee that Reading Buses social club were organising a coach trip to Old Warden on Saturday 19^th June  There are potentially 29 seats available at £13 including entry fee to Old Warden.  It was agreed that Dave should pursue this with the club possibly subsidising the trip.  Dave will pursue further.  It was confirmed that should the trip go ahead, members wishing to participate would be required to pay when booking their place.

The secretary informed the committee that the BMFA insurance now provided clubs with employers’ liability insurance at no extra cost.  This was because the insurers and BMFA considered that clubs who give free membership or other benefits to members who perform some service to the club were effectively employees.  The secretary expressed concern about this interpretation since it opened up clubs to the application of a wide range of legislation that could affect the operation of clubs.  It was agreed that the secretary would write to the BMFA expressing concern and seeking clarification..

The meeting closed at 22:15