Minutes of Committee Meeting held at 19.30, 26th March 2008 at 63 Hamilton Road, Reading.

1. Apologies for absence:Chris Robinson, Dot Lincoln.
2. Minutes of the Committee meeting held 21st January 2008 were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
3. Matters Arising and review of actions not covered elsewhere
1. The Chairman congratulated Gordon, Colin and Ted on an excellent photographic competition.
2. The Chairman reported that the Memorandum of Understanding with NDOC had been signed, with an amendment specifying the area around Newbury in which the BOC would not proactively recruit (attached).
3. Ted Rogers reported that he still had to discuss the Garden Bird Survey with the BTO to see if the BOC data could be combined with the BTO survey and the results accessed by us.
4. Treasurer’s report John Roberts reported that club funds stood at £12,628. £7,000 would be transferred to a higher interest-bearing CAF Gold account, which the Committee authorised to be opened. Subscriptions to date were £3313 (£3057 in 2007); plus £829 of gift aid reclaimed. He noted that the room hire cost for the next season would increase to £155; though regretting the increase, the Committee agreed that the venue should be maintained. Raffles had raised £348; it was noted that raffles had been missed at the last two indoor meetings. The Conservation Fund currently held £5,618. Derek Foskett had given his collection of bird books to the Club and John Roberts was selling them to raise funds for the Conservation Fund; £380 had been raised so far.
5. Report & Recording Colin Wilson reported on the status of reports in progress:
• 2004: The content was complete except for the introduction to be written by Colin, advertising and some more illustrations. It needs organising and careful editing before going to the printers. It is likely to be available in June. The Committee endorsed Colin’s request to Jerry O’Brien to allow his excellent photos to be used and regretted the misattribution of a photo in the 2003 report.
• 2005: NDOC records are still awaited for 2005. Derek Barker has offered to prepare the full text of the 2005 report.
• 2006: Chris Heard and Colin Wilson proposed to move on to 2006 in an attempt to clear the backlog of reports. Chris suggested that Derek Barker ask Ian Weston to send copies of his records to the County Recorder to expedite entry into the database. The guidance for species account writers would be updated (CH, CW).
6. TVERC data exchange Renton Righelato reported that an agreement on data exchange with TVERC, the principle of which had been agreed by the ROC earlier, had been approved by TVERC and NDOC. Colin Wilson was unhappy with the principle, as it might result in a greater loss of income from data sales than would be gained from grants from TVERC. He therefore proposed that commercial enquirers be referred to BOC and not be provided with data by TVERC. There was some support for this position, but others felt that records were provided by observers in order that they be put in the public domain. It was agreed that the issue be raised again with the TVERC to see if there were a way to maintain net income (CW, RRi).
7. Kennet Valley Park development Colin Wilson reported on the lobbying work being done with government against the choice of the KVP site for housing. The Chairman stressed that the BOC should build its case on ornithological conservation grounds. It was agreed that the next action should be to develop a response for use when the minister’s response to the GOSE report is open for consultation and for the next planning application. In the meantime, members were encouraged to lobby local MPs and councillors. Colin Wilson agreed to organise a meeting with the key organisations concerned with the nature conservation issues (including RSPB, BBOWT, EA, Natural England).
8. Access to Queen Mother Reservoir Renton Righelato reported that he had had a constructive meeting with Thames Water earlier that day on access to QMR. Thames Water proposed that BOC take a license under which it may issue permits and keys to bona fide birdwatchers allowing them access to the perimeter of the reservoir. The detailed conditions have yet to be agreed, but will include a license fee (around £500/yr) and provision for the BOC to charge for permits. Current (informal) access to the reservoir for birdwatchers at the sailing club is to be withdrawn later this year. The Committee welcomed the TW initiative, which could boost Club membership as well as providing much better access for bird-watching (RRi to progress).
9. Items for noting:
1. New Charities Act and Charity Commission guidance on public benefit requirements. A statement would be included in the Annual Return to the Charity Commission.
2. Ray Reedman was thanked for the 2008/9 Indoor Programme, which was now complete.
10. Any other business:
1. Newsletter items should be delivered to Ted Roger by 12 April.
2. Renton to discuss the Secretary role with Bill Nicoll.
3. John Lerpiniere noted that Reading Borough Council were progressing with plans for a nature reserve on Fobney Island.
11. Next meeting. 22nd July 208 at 71 Kidmore Road, Caversham.

Distribution: Committee Members: Ruth Angus, Gordon Langsbury, John Lerpiniere, Dot Lincoln, Ray Reedman, Renton Righelato, John Roberts, Ted Rogers, Rosalind Stanley, Andy Tomczynski, Marek Walford, Colin Wilson. BTO rep Chris Robinson, County Recorder: Chris Heard.