Minutes of 152nd meeting on 21st November 2017
Minutes of the 152nd meeting held 21st November 2017 at Hare Hill House Starting at 7.30pm
Present: Barry Cropper, Ian Jackson; Julian Farnell; Barry Horner, Brian Holden, John F Kay, Cllr Ann Stott, Bob Weatherley,
Apologies for absence from Keith Hallam,
Minutes of the last meeting were discussed and used as agenda items for this meeting.
Littleborough Civic Trust
John Kay as treasurer of Littleborough Civic Trust confirmed that the sum of £1,779.82 was held in the account on behalf of LCDG
Canal & River Trust
The Canal & River Trust have won an awarded from Pennine in Bloom for the work done near to lock 48
Anyone wishing to join the Tow Path Task Force should contact IJ on wackojacko@talk21.com
Café Boat Scheme
The mooring application to C&RT, received approval “in principle” but an update was required by 1st December 2017. John Kay will send this
We will now preparing and submit an application for planning permission from Rochdale MBC
Julian Farnell has been in touch with the planning office. His contact there has left but he was speaking to another officer for guidance
He will access the forms and complete the same with help from Ian Jackson and John Kay
This will be submitted as soon as it is ready.
Julian Farnell and Cllr Ann Stott are in touch with the Council to obtain permission to use the warehouse to Schofield Street to renovate and fit out the boat.
There were now several volunteers to help with this work
There was discussion about the new Recreational Craft Directive which became law at the beginning of this year. We are also aware of the need to have the boat certified as complying with all legal requirements.
The actions necessary are
- Obtain Planning Consent from Rochdale MBC
- Obtain full approval from the Canal & River Trust
- Obtain agreement for the use of the Schofield Street building and move the boat there
- Take out insurance
- Sand blast the boat and have it inspected
- Seek guidance on the fitting out from a qualified engineer. Possible Guy Holding
- Fit out the boat
- Obtain the necessary BSS Certificate
We now have a quote for insurance at a premium of £132 pa
The questions asked at the recent forum have revealed that there is a 60% charitable status discount on the business licence fee if we qualify
The canal towpath at Canal Street is to be checked by the local supervisor with a view to fixing additional ring bolts
Akzo Nobel Site
Barry Cropper who has detailed knowledge of the issues concerning contamination and mine workings on this site addressed the meeting.
The council should require further contamination reports and should acknowledge the information he has given them about two additional mine workings which have not been taken into account.
The most important aspect which affects the Rochdale Canal is the contamination which may be released if this site is developed.
Date of Next Meeting
Tuesday 16th January 2018
Tuesday 20th February 2018
Tuesday 20th march 2018