| | The Council of Management is the Trust's Board and is concerned more with strategy and fundraising with operational matters devolved to the trading subsidiary, the Swanage Railway Company. These notes provide an overview of some of the matters discussed this month. - The meeting opened with a presentation to the SRT by members of the Cygnets youth group of a cheque for £647 which they had raised through a recent sponsored walk. The Trust had already agreed to match whatever they raised to create a fund for Sygnets projects. As a result £1294 is now available for these.
- The Chairman thanked those staff and volunteers who were involved in the Quarr Farm crossing incident for the exemplary manner in which they responded to the incident.
- The SRT financial performance continues to be encouraging with over £144k in the general fund although the Treasurer noted that much of this had already been allocated to projects
- The CoM was pleased to note that the Harmans Cross team had successfully secured a grant of £6k from the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership towards the proposed new building on the down platform at Harmans Cross station. The amount would need to be matched but this element was already held in the restricted fund.
- The Annual Fete at the Purbeck House Hotel had been cancelled because of the weather but it was replaced with a smaller event on the platform which had raised around £500. It was agreed that this smaller event should be the format used in 2008.
- The CoM agreed to run a further Annual Draw in 2008. It was noted that receipts in 2007 looked like continuing the small falls which has been the pattern of recent years. Taking the decision now to run another Draw would allow more time to attract potential sponsors and so improve profitability.
- The Ironclad coach used by the Sygnets had been inspected and found to be in unacceptable condition. An alternative (and smaller) vehicle would be identified from those around the Railway and made available.
- The CoM expressed concern at the process used by the Company Board to reach their decision on a smoking ban and urged more widespread consultation for any future issues of this complexity and sensitivity.
- The CoM agreed that Car 14 should be used in regular service trains once it becomes available rather than as a special event vehicle. It was expected that a small fare supplement would be levied.
- The Trust is looking at a conservation plan for those heritage coaches which were not expected to commence restoration in the near future. This plan would include the Ironclad.
The next CoM meeting will take place on Saturday 28th July 2007 at 2:00 pm in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill, Swanage. An open forum to allow Members and volunteers to ask questions will be held prior to the start of formal business. |