South Wales & South West Region
MINUTES OF SOUTH WALES AND SOUTH WEST REGION
Held at Holiday Inn, Junc 25, Taunton
On Tuesday 18th May 2010 commencing at 7.00pm.
Meeting Generously Sponsored by Triflex (UK) Ltd.
PRESENT:
Members
Steve Mulcock (Chairman), Nigel Thackeray (Secretary), Bob Cooper (IoR Governor),
Mike Long (IoR Director), David Bignold, Craig Huxley, Derek Whatley, Carlton Jones,
Alan Lander, Andy Green, Martin Rickard, Richard Gibbs
Guests
David Austen and Simon Smith - Sky-Garden Green Roofs Ltd, Tim Coleman, Martin Bristow
1. Chairman’s Welcome
Steve Mulcock welcomed all members and guests particularly Dave Austen and Simon Smith as guest speakers. He thanked Triflex (UK) Ltd for sponsoring the room and refreshments and thanked Bob Cooper for his assistance in organising this meeting.
Apologies were given for the lack of meetings over the last 2 years and the reasons given were: lack of attendees at the previous 2 or 3 meetings and a poor response to the members’ survey carried out last November; only 9 responses from a membership of 133 and nothing conclusive from those minimal responses. Steve hoped this meeting would be the start of a new era and the main purpose of this meeting was to get feedback from the members (see item 7 ‘Open Forum’).
2. Apologies
Tracey Bray, Andrew Brierly, Greg Brett, Bradley Cameron, Tony Cartwright, Keith Daggar, Andrew Dawe, Jonathen Dore, Terry Fearfield, David Holmes, Toby Pitt, Gareth Thomas, Graham Nye, Terry Jackson, Richard Lott
3. Minutes of last meeting
As the last meeting was back in September 2008 it was agreed that because of the time lapse we would not review/agree the content of the previous meeting minutes.
4. Matters Arising
It was decided that any matters arising would be discussed in item 7 of the agenda; ‘open forum’.
5. Governors Report
Bob Cooper thanked all members and guests for attending and thanked Steve Mulcock and Nigel Thackeray for their efforts in pulling the meeting together. He went on to explain why there have been no meetings for the past 2 years and emphasised this meeting was an ideal opportunity to kick-start future meetings. He also thanked Carol Dukes and Natalie for their support in organising this meeting for sending out and e-mailing invites and agendas.
Bob then gave an overview of the Institue of Roofing including their new website and logo and other changes within the Institute. He then discussed the benefits and what the Institute has to offer its membership and the reasons we should encourage our colleagues to become members.
He also advised the attendees of the IoR Annual General Meeting being held on HMS Belfast on Thursday 14th October 2010.
He also proposed that because the current committee under the chairmanship of Steve Mulcock and Nigel Thackeray as secretary had not sat at a meeting that they should currently remain in their positions. None of the members present objected to the proposal.
Bob issued during the evening the new style lapel badges to all attending members together with an IoR literature pack and an IoR memory stick.
Bob then introduced guest speakers David Austen and Simon Smith of Sky-Garden Green Roofs Ltd.
6. Presentation – Sky-Garden Green Roofs Ltd, Dave Austen and Simon Smith
By way of a PowerPoint presentation and large active samples, Dave Austen and Simon Smith explained in detail the nature of green roof systems and the service Sky-Garden Green Roof Ltd provide. They talked about the impact a green roof has on the building as well as the contribution to the environment and also cost implication. Both the interaction from the audience and from comments after the presentation the presentation was deemed very interesting and very informative. Dave Austen will issue certificates to all attendees.
On completion of the presentation Steve Mulcock thanked Dave and Simon for their time.
7. Open Forum – The way forward for Regional Meetings?
Bob Cooper opened the debate by reviewing the attendance at previous meetings and meetings in other regions. Bob also advised that in other regions the meetings were held jointly with NFRC meetings and RTG meetings which seemed to attract higher attendances, however only 50% of the members present at this meeting were members of the NFRC.
It was generally agreed that to attract members to future meetings the presentation needs to be a ‘hot topic’ such as Part L or Part F of the Building Regulations, Self certification of Insulation on felt roofs or Competent Persons Scheme.
Carlton Jones feels there is a lack of 2-way interaction and that we get nothing for our subscription fee. The general consensus of opinion amongst the attendees is that the IoR needs to communicate with its members on topical issues via a quarterly newsletter or e-news which again would stimulate interaction and interest. Interest could be generated with regular industry led bulletins.
Bob Cooper addressed the membership breakdown by county again to address where meetings would be required however the general opinion was that people would travel if the presentation topic was relevant or a ‘hot topic’. Meetings in the Bristol area would be ideal to service the membership both in the South West and South Wales.
Bob also advised that members need to ensure that head office has member’s up to date e-mail addresses and maybe if they have e-mail overload on their business address perhaps they should submit a personal e-mail address for IoR correspondence. Data protection was then raised regarding who should be allowed access to this information however no solution was discussed.
Derek Whately tabled an interesting comment that surely with 1000+ membership nationwide that some of those members being experts in their field would be only too happy to assist with articles or correspondence on topical issues. It was generally felt by all that members input would be valuable and help generate interest in attending regional meetings.
Mike Long discussed the Competent Persons Scheme and advised that approval should be given in October and perhaps a talk on the scheme could be valuable at a future meeting.
Carlton Jones again extended his kindly offered 4 or 5 RIBA Approved CPD presentations and a factory visit in North Wales for future meetings or maybe joint meetings with other regions. Steve Mulcock thanked him for his offer.
8. Any other business
No other business, all discussion was covered in the previous agenda item. A provisional date was then set for the next meeting to be a Regional AGM for late September in the Bristol area, date, time and venue to be confirmed.
9. Meeting Close
Steve Mulcock closed the meeting at 21.20pm and thanked everyone for attending. He expressed special thanks to Bob Cooper for his input and assistance and wished everyone a safe journey home.
Who to talk to to find out what is going on in the region
If you have any suggestions of topics to cover in the meetings please contact us and tell us
Keep in contact with the regional contacts of the Institute
To contact your Regional Board of Govenor please click on the link and send your message.
To contact your Regional Officer please click on the link and send your message.
Bob Cooper F.I.o.R - B.o.G contact