Please find the abridged minutes from the latest meeting below
These notes outline the discussion involved in reaching a constitution document for the Traders & Residents Association – see previous article ‘Constitution agreed’ for the constitution document itself.
Introductions
It was explained that the purpose of the meeting was to agree the outline of a constitution for the Chatsworth Road Traders and Residents Association (“CRTRA”) with a view to having it ratified at the next meeting.
The Constitution
It was explained that the draft was based on the Ridley Road Traders Association Constitution. The most noticeable difference is that the CRTRA is both a Traders and Residents Association – a format that’s unique in the Borough.
Objectives
It was felt that it was important that CRTRA was about more than just setting up a market, and that the general desire to improve the local street environment, safety and to make a stronger community should be reflected in the objectives.
The setting up of a Community Interest Company (“CIC”)
This is the vehicle used for managing Broadway Market, mostly independently of the Council. However, it was explained that Hackney Council have clarified that this model will not be viable for a new ‘on-street’ Chatsworth Road market.
Setting up a CIC would therefore only be useful in a situation where the CRTRA started a market on private land, off the public highway.
Reference was made to the July meeting with Hackney Council regarding the market (see website home page, ‘Market Report’, for a full summary). It was emphasised that the Council will directly manage any new market held on the public highway.
However, the Council has also agreed that ongoing community input to a new market would be possible and desirable – exactly how is not clear and would need to be agreed in future negotiations.
Membership
There was discussion around the need for provision in the constitution to ensure a balance between residents and traders. It was agreed that it would not be necessary to do this given that there is provision for General Meetings at which issues can be discussed and resolved.
However, it was also agreed that the Executive Committee, managing the Association, would require at least 2 non-trading local residents as members as well as at least 2 traders as members.
It was agreed that membership would be free and voluntary, and that simple verbal or written applications to join could be made to the Exexcutive Committee.
There was also a discussion about demarcating the ‘local area’ to clarify the membership of residents. It was agreed that there would not be such a demarcation, nor too precise a definition of ‘the local area’.
The Constitution can be amended in the future if it appears that membership of people from outside the local area is becoming a problem. It was also felt that demarcation of a membership ‘zone’ could be unnecessarily divisive.
Management
The provisions regarding the management of the CRTRA were agreed with the following amendments:
• Persons wishing to be elected to the Executive Committee are to be proposed or to propose themselves, seconded, and elected by simple majority.
• In the event of a competition there is to be a secret ballot.
• The Executive Committee is to be made up of the 4 officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary & Treasurer), and 6 members of whom 2 are to be non-trading residents and 2 to be traders.
• The Chair is to be the presiding officer with a casting vote where there is a tie.
Meetings
There are to be 2 General Meetings a year, held with 2 weeks notice, and with the minutes to be provided within 2 weeks. It was also agreed that the Executive Committee should meet at least monthly although there were reservations about this being rather onerous.
There was a discussion about quorum – it was agreed that for any major decision, including removal from office, constitutional changes, agreement of annual budget, removal of members or refusal of membership, the Executive Committee would be quorate with 2 thirds of the members of the Committee being present.
The Market Report & Council position
It was explained that the Council do seem more positive regarding the proposal of a market but have emphasised the need for the market to be subsidy-free and to pay for itself. (More details in ‘Market Report’ on home page.)
Various aspects of waste disposal seem to be one of the highest anticpated costs. The Council has promised that they will put together some detailed costings and respond in October.
Concerns were once again raised about parking, traffic and waste. Mention was made of a Chatsworth Road 20mph limit consultation which is about to take place.
Another concern was raised about the cost of electricity for the stalls. There is also the issue of the CRTRA having some control over the kind of stalls in the market. These are all matters to be negotiated with the Council.
The next meeting
Tuesday, 13th October at 7.30pm, Chats Palace. At this meeting the Constitution will be ratified and an Executive Committee elected. Volunteers will also be sought for a sub-group to work specifically on the Market campaign.
NB: please see the previous post to view the full constitution document