Committee Meeting Minutes 26th November 2013

Committee Meeting Minutes for 26th November 2013 can be viewed here

Lobbying Bill Update

The government has agreed a six week delay in debating the Lobbying Bill in the House of Lords to allow further consultation.

This follows pressure from the Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement chaired by former Bishop of Oxford Lord Harries, the NCVO and other leading charities.

NCVO has prepared a briefing document setting out proposals to amend the bill to to reduce the potentially damaging impact it will have on charities.  We have written to NCVO to support their proposals.

The NCVO document can be read in full here.

Marple Area Committee Report 6th November 2013

A report on the Marple Area Committee Meeting on the 6th November 2013 can be viewed here

For past reports see 'Marple Area Committee Reports' under NEWS ITEMS

A member of the Civic Society attends the monthly Marple Area Committee meetings where issues relating to Marple are discussed and important decisions are made.

There is also an opportunity for the public to ask questions of our elected representatives (councillors) and all questions, issues, discussions and decisions are minuted as part of the democratic process.

Dates of future Marple Area Committee meetings:

Wednesday 11 December 2013
Wednesday 5 February 2014
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Wednesday 16 April 2014 

Civic Voice AGM and Convention 2013

The 2013 Civic Voice and converntion was held in Liverpool this year on the 25th and 26th October hosted by Merseyside Civic Society. Arthur Procter and Alan and Gillian Postill represented Marple Civic Society.

Day one started with guided tours around the city followed by a civic reception in the magnificent Liverpool Town Hall.

Civic Voice President Griff Rhys Jones

The AGM proper, on day two, again held in the town hall, included an inspirational keynote speech by Civic Voice President Griff Rhys Jones. Griff emphasised the need for Civic Voice to become a true 'movement' to represent the many people who want to be part of something that can make their community better. He went on to say that whilst accepting the need to get the eonomy moving the myriad of proposals coming forward from government are clearly not the answer - they are creating scepticism and uncertainty, not confidence.

Neighbourhood Planning workshop

Also debated were planning laws, future campaigns for the movement and the preparation of a Civic Voice 'manifesto'.

Workshops were held including 'Neighbourhood Planning" which MCS representatives chose to attend to help inform our forthcoming sub group meeting set up to examine Localism /Community Rights legislation and what it means for Marple.

New chair of trustees, Freddie Gick, was voted in replacing Paula Ridley who stands down after three years in the post. Freddie paid a warm tribute to Paula who has overseen the growth of Civic Voice  to a position where it represents approaching 300 civic societies with 75,000 members.

Photos by Arthur Procter - see more photos here

Final Stages of the Marple Local Listing Process

Photos by Arthur Procter

The social meeting held last Thursday was an enjoyable occasion and an excellent opportunity to chat with members, some old and several new who were attending  for the first time.  

Paul Hartley, Conservation Manager at Stockport MBC, steered us briefly through the Local Listing Process and then treated us to a presentation of beautiful photos of buildings and structures, throughout Marple North and South wards, that will be locally listed very soon.

Paul Hartley - Conservation Manager - Stockport MBC

Local Listing is important to confer a degree of protection on heritage buildings and structures that do not fulfill the criteria for statutory listing but nevertheless  are important locally to Marple.

The list is now due to go before the councillors and the Executive Member for a final decision. Once owners have been notified that their property is on the local list it will be emailed to local groups, many of which put nominations forward, and then posted on our website.

Donation from Marple Carnival Committee 2013

 Marple Civic Society was one of many charities to received a donation of £100 from the Marple Carnival Committee 2013.

The carnival is an annual event which dates back to 1962. Held on the third Saturday of June each year it is always a colourful, musical, happy family event. This year was no exception and, for once, the sun shone bringing people out in droves.

The carnival committee is run entirely by volunteers. If you have any spare time they would love to hear from you as several members are  retiring this year.

http://www.marplecarnival.org.uk