December 2005 No meeting this month. Tuesday 10th January 2006 A well attended meeting which focussed largely on the group's current financial situation. The Treasurer presented a full report. The spring judging of the Yorkshire in Bloom competition was discussed and our new Coordinator indicated that all the preparation should be in place by the middle of March. The new Primary Schools Sunflower competition was discussed and the group agreed that this was a most appropriate way of collaborating with those schools who were interested in the environment. The newly formed Otley in Bloom Task Force would support the Leeds City Council (LCC) Parks team and its first project looked likely to be relocating the lamp post containers to the Market Place. The Otley in Bloom Gateways Project was discussed and it looks possible that the Leeds Road roundabout location will be the best one to start with. The meeting was brought to a speedy close at 8.00pm so that members could enjoy the group's annual New Year social over a meal and a glass of wine at a local restaurant. Tuesday 14th February 2006 A well attended meeting minus roses (!?) discussed the plans the group has for improving the Market Place. An update of the Gateways project about positive discussions with the Leeds City Council (LCC) Highways department was followed by a short presentation from Ann Briggs, Advertising Initiative Manager from LCC. Ann Briggs explained the plans LCC had for advertising signs to be placed on the 'Town Welcome' signs on four roads into Otley from outside Leeds. These signs would be financed by business sponsorship and their company name would appear on the sign. The group's consensus was that it felt that it is not appropriate to have business names on the LCC 'Town Welcome' signs and that Otley in Bloom will certainly not be having advertising on it's own gateway structures. The group decided that it would continue with its original plans and ensure that the structures would be located in a way which would complement the work that Ann was doing. The date for the Yorkshire in Bloom Spring judging is to be between 27th March - 14th April. The newly designed certificate created by Chris Broughton, a well-renowned local artist, will be professionally printed. The Otley Town Clerk has welcomed the group's suggestion to 'plant-up' the town clock using the water trough located on the easterly aspect, provided certain precautions are adhered to. The Schools Sunflower Competition is progressing well and all the local primary schools have said that they will take part. LCC has approved a grant application of £500 for the purchasing of equipment for the newly formed Task Force. Due to an exceptional amount of business the meeting closed at 9.20pm. Tuesday 14th March 2006 Another well attended meeting which focussed mainly on the preparations for the Yorkshire in Bloom Spring judging which will take place on the morning of Tuesday 4th April. The route will begin and finish at The Otley Courthouse. The annual spring clean of Churches Together for Otley is due to take place on Saturday 1st April. Otley in Bloom's spring clean will be on Sunday 2nd April. People interested in lending a helping hand with this clean up will be asked to meet at The Buttercross 9.30am on Sunday 2nd April. Residents and businesses across the town will also be encouraged, through the local paper, to tidy up the public spaces near where they live or work. The Certificate has been professionally printed and over 120 of these will be given out prior to the Spring judging. The Gateways Project has received a £500 grant from the LCC North West Area Committee 'Well Being Budget'. This means that the first of the Gateways can now be built and so the local branch of the Dry Stone Wall Association are to be asked to produce a final design and plan the work into their schedule. The meeting finished at 8.00pm. Tuesday 11th April 2006 A well attended meeting worked through various items of business including the proposal for an Alcohol License for Wharfemeadows Park. A letter had been received by the group from a resident of Bridge Avenue which raised several concerns. It was agreed that the Chair write to object to this license on four grounds; public access issues; cleansing; noise and light nuisance for residents and river wildlife and lack of future review and consultation processes for residents and users of Wharfemeadows. The Yorkshire in Bloom Coordinator reported that the Spring Judging seemed to have been very successful. Everything went almost according to the plan and the hospitality at The Courthouse was excellent. People seemed to enjoy the morning and letters of thanks will be circulated. The new Otley in Bloom website was discussed and it was agreed that such an excellent website should be officially launched. The Gateways project is developing well and it is hoped that if the appropriate agreements are arranged with LCC then the Leeds Road gateway should be installed by the autumn of 2006. The meeting finished a little later than usual. All future meetings will be held in The Courthouse in The Art Room on the first floor from 6.30pm - 7.30pm. There is a lift so there are no access issues. Tuesday 9th May 2006 A really good meeting with many important issues raised and resolved. We were very pleased to be joined by Iain Plumtree, the Otley Town Clerk and in addition Richard Gill, the Floral Initiative Officer from LCC. The Otley in Bloom letter of objection to the alcohol license in Wharfemeadows park will be presented at a hearing scheduled for 17th May 10am at the Civic Hall. We've decide to buy a digital camera to help the group record the floral displays and create images for both the brochure and the website. The Gateways is moving ahead. Funds have been received from Otley Chamber of Commerce and Otley Town Council are to be approached to help us register for a new source of funds. Otley in Bloom Task Force is to meet at Manor Square on Sunday 21st May 9.00 AM! With the intention of salvaging any plants for recycling. WATCH OUT FOR GLASS/NEEDLES ETC. Otley Town Council say that the group will definitely be consulted about the enhancement of the Marketplace and Wharfemeadows Park. We will visit the Marketplace on Sunday 21st May to view possibilities. The Otley in Bloom will be represented at the Otley Town Council AGM and Parish Meeting to be held 15th May at the Civic Centre. A good opportunity to meet the incoming mayor and the town councilors. Plans are progressing for an Otley in Bloom 'open evening' to hand over some historical paperwork to the Otley Library. The aim would be to recruit new members to the group. The 'In Bloom' Summer Judging is to take place on 11th July 2006. Preparations have started for this important event. The group expressed concerned that the spring bedding plants have already been removed - even before the Otley Carnival. Otley in Bloom will write to the Town Council to raise the issue and ask for help in finding a solution. Tuesday 11th July 2006 The group did not hold a formal meeting, but as it was the night before the Summer judging for Yorkshire in Bloom we did a last minute clean up round the town. We also added 3 planters into the Marketplace and planted up the trough in the Jubilee clock. August 2006 No meeting. Summer Holiday. Tuesday 12th September 2006 Main issues discussed were: The proposed alcohol license for the park. We received a letter back from Leeds City Council, although the license has been granted it was confirmed that any events would have individual management plans ensuring continued free and open access to the towns parks. Proposed stone trough in Marketplace. Having consulted a structural engineer it is felt that the Marketplace is not a suitable location, alternative position to be found for planter to be bought with Otley Carnival grant money. Town Council updated. Yorkshire In Bloom - Otley was awarded Silver. Judges comments considered. Harrogate Flowershow. Plans in place for group to enter container competition September 15th to 17th. Tuesday 10th October 2006 Main issues discussed were: How to increase public awareness of our work. Reviewed Library open day Harrogate Flowershow. Our planter design won Silver, design will be reproduced in Manor Square in a planter which is difficult to water so will benefit from a perennial planting. Carnival Fund planter. To be sited in Memorial Gardens, need to get permission from Leeds City Council Cemetery's, Town Council, British Legion and get quotes for appropriate planters. Gateways report. We need Otley Town Council to take ownership of structure, and fill in a form so that we can work on highway. Design confirmed. Preparation for AGM. Sylvia Reid confirmed she would step down from her role as chair/secretary. Tuesday 14th November 2006 - AGM The Treasurer (Linda Massarella) and outgoing Secretary (Sylvia Reid) gave reports confirming the groups financial status and achievements. The Constitution was amended. Officers were elected as follows (changes are shown in bold). Non Executive President - Sylvia Reid Chair - Andy Walker Secretary - Katie Burnett Treasurer - Linda Massarella Yorkshire In Bloom Coordinator - David Bellerby Task Force Coordinator - Edie Bates Tuesday 14th November 2006 After the AGM we held a normal meeting. Main issues discussed were: Amendments to signatories on OIB bank account. Hoardings. May be an issue coming back onto a wider agenda - seeking information from Council for Protection of Rural England. Trees for Schools. All Otley schools have now had some free trees delivered. A good morning was had, and Neil Wilson of Parks dept helped with delivering. Press aware. Bradford Road. The verges are in a bad state due to Yorkshire Water works. Perhaps we can get these reinstated in line with Town Enhancement Study.   These notes are a shortened version of the full minutes. For more information please contact the Otley in Bloom Secretary. Meeting minutes for 2005-2006 | Meeting minutes for 2006-2007 Otley in Bloom - working with the business community and the people of Otley to make our town a greener place to live. Home | About the Group | Awards | Sponsors | Grants | Yorkshire in Bloom Calendar | Current Projects | Task Force | Constitution | Notices | Downloads Otley Town Enhancement Study | Gallery | Meeting minutes | Links | Contact