2019-03-31-annual-report - The Foyle Civic Trust

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FOYLE CIVIC TRUST 2019 AGM / TRUSTEES REPORT

The 2019 Foyle Civic Trust (FCT) Annual General Meeting was held in the new premises of FCT at Cathedral House, No. 1 St. Columb’s Court, L’Derry on Thursday, 30[th] May 2019 at 7.00pm.

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME:

The Chairman, Peter Tracey, welcomed everyone to the FCT’S 30th AGM and thanked the committee members for giving of their time and commitment to FCT over the last year.

APOLOGIES : David & Mary Hunter; Jim Craig; Mark Lusby; Pat & Robert Coull; Liam Campbell Mary O Dwyer, Robert Ferris & Margaret Lapsley

IN ATTENDANCE : Peter Tracey, Paul McGarvey, Austin Sammon, Robert Murtland, William Lynn, James & Dorothy Foster, Mary McLaughlin, Pat Brown, Mervyn Brown, Mary Casey, David Bell, Paul Haslam, Caroline Dickson, Richard & Lena Wray, Agnes Beresford Ashe, David McConaghy, Hasan Vizar, Barbara Curran, Tony Monaghan, Ronan O’Donnell & Patsy O’Kane

APPROVAL & ADOPTION of MINUTES: Proposed by Jim Foster and seconded by Caroline Dickson

PRESENTATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS:

Chairman’s Report:

Peter Tracey welcomed the busy year experienced by the Trust including moving in to its new premises at Cathedral House. He specifically thanked Willian Lynn for his efforts in securing the arrangement with the Cathedral Chapter. He listed some of the events which he and FCT had contributed to and attended in the past year including:-

Enagh Old School Community Hub presentation at the October meeting
Heritage Regeneration Project in the Guildhall, Derry (ICT), October 2018
Meeting with Karen Phillips, Derry City & Strabane District Council, December 2018
Christmas event talk by Bart O’Donnell in Whitecastle House, Quigley’s Point, 08 December 2018
Article to Archaeology Ireland on work of the Foyle Civic trust
Mayoral reception for Foyle Civic Trust in recognition for Heritage angels Award, 10 January 2019
Presentation by ASI of proposals for former Great James Street Presbyterian Church site, 07 February 2019
Launch of the Walled City Partnership book “New Life for Old Streets” in the Guildhall Derry in March 2019

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PLANNING APPLICATIONS: FCT continue to monitor Planning Applications and make relevant comments when necessary. However, Peter Tracey felt FCT should be more proactive in responding to important sites, eg Thornhill site.

Hon. Secretary’s Report:

Mary McLaughlin began by stating that it had been a momentous year for FCT and commented as follows:-

FCT move to new premises - Soon after last year’s AGM, FCT vacated premises due to lack of funding and are now based at Cathedral House, 1, St. Columb’s Court, Derry. Mary thanked William Lynn & Ronan O’Donnell for their help with the move.
Drop in Membership due to members not knowing where FCT as a result of all the moves. Increasing membership is FCT’s priority for the coming year and also targeting lapsed members and friends.
UAH launched the Heritage Angel Awards in late spring. FCT & WCP presented the Townscape Heritage Initiative Project which was voted overall prize winner.
Mayor John Boyle invited Foyle Civic Trust and The Walled City Partnership Committee members to a Civic Reception in the Guildhall in March for a presentation of a Crystal Trophy.
FCT & WCP launched “the Legacy Publication, entitled New Life for Old Streets” by Liam Campbell in the Guildhall. The book illustrates all the buildings restored by National Heritage Lottery Fund’s Townscape Heritage Initiative and partnership funding from DC& SDC, Planning Services, Housing Executive & HED formerly NIEA. Joe Mahon was guest speaker.
FCT monitored circa 13 no. planning applications to-date and concerns were raised on the Waterside hub.
The Walled City Partnership is on hold at present, new funding is now available and Ronan O’Donnell is studying NHLF’s new programme in order to brief the WCP Committee. Mary praised Ronan for his unique management skills & guidance on the successful Townscape Heritage Initiative Project. Ronan also answered phone calls and passed on information to FCT Committee members. He is now located in Council Offices on Strand Road.
Despite the magnificent hype surrounding these events, FCT managed to deal with many issues of concern.
Robert Murtland promoted the ancient tree in the grounds of Lumen Christi College in Bishop Street for National Tree Week.
FCT outings – Whitecastle House, December 2018
Events: the first event in new premises was a presentation on the proposed restoration work on Great James Street Presbyterian Church precinct presented by architects John Quinn & Duncan McLaren. FCT members also attended the Angel Heritage Awards in London.
Upcoming events: Ivan Harbour Lecture on 14[th] June 2019 and trip to Gola Island (date TBC).

UPDATE ON FCT’S OBJECTIVES FOR 2019/2020

Increase membership – on-going
Development of the Strategic Plan – work on-going at a steady pace
Preferred Options Plan (PoP)
Proposed Ecclesiastical Publication on churches from earliest times with maps defining land ownership, etc.
Seek funding for an administration post - Ongoing

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Mary finished by thanking Ronan O’Donnell for his comprehensive report each month on the Walled City Partnership and Tony Monaghan for facilitating the use of the office.

FINANCIAL REPORT & ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTS:

Austin Sammon presented his Treasury Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2019. All present received a copy of the report. Fergus McAteer & Co. will prepare their report for year ended 31[st] March 2019.

Peter Tracey thanked Austin for preparing the report. Proposed by William Lynn and seconded by Paul Haslam.

Peter Tracey thanked the accountancy firm of Fergus McAteer & Co. in advance who will carry out the Financial Report this year again on a pro-bono basis.

The subscription rates are as follows:-	The subscription rates are as follows:-	The subscription rates are as follows:-
	Full rate	£20
	Concessionary rate	£15
	Small business rate	£30
	Corporate rate	£100

NOMINATION & ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

The current officers vacated their positions and Pat Brown presided over the re-election of officers. It was agreed that the officers from last year would retain their positions for another year.

CHAIRMAN:	Peter Tracey,nominated byAustin Sammon, seconded byMary McLaughlin
VICE CHAIRMAN:	William Lynn, nominated by Peter Tracey and seconded by Mary
	McLaughlin
HON. TREASURER:	Austin Sammon, nominated by William Lynn and seconded by
	Mary McLaughlin
HON. SECRETARY:	MaryMcLaughlin,nominated byCaroline Dickson and seconded by Austin
	Sammon
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:	Jim Foster, Robert Murtland, Mark Lusby, Liam Campbell & Tony Monaghan
	(Derry City & Strabane District Council representative)

The chairman thanked the FCT committee for their continuing nominating for the next year. He then welcomed guest speaker Nicki McVeigh.

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GUEST SPEAKER:

The chairman welcomed Nicki McVeigh, Chief Executive of the Ulster Architectural Heritage, who gave a very comprehensive and informative overview of the excellent work carried out by her team and the potential opportunities available for the FCT to assist its own development and role within the North West.

The chairman thanked Nicki for her time and presented her with a signed print of David McConaghy’s riverine head on Bishop Gate.

A.O.B.

None

The AGM concluded at 9.30 pm.

PETER TRACEY, TRUSTEE AND CHAIRPERSON

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