Annual General Meeting 

Monday 3rd March 2008

 

Present:

Graeme Steel, Paula Moran, Ian Malone, Ray Lynch, Helen Fearn, Liz Shaw, Hamish Lambert, John Meikle, Paul Hopwood,  Sally Robinson, John MacLellan, Alison King, Carole Angus, Tom Meechan, Ken Palmer, Kerry Stainsby, Steven Thompson, Matt McGhee, Dick McMillan, Stuart McGregor, William Millar, Mary Coull, Gordon Sutherland, Mike O’Neill, Ian Henry, Ray Ramsay, John Wood, Walter Easton, Ian Malone, Rod Cameron, Allan Dryden, Mandy Toner, Graham Maclachlan, Patrick Carlin, Sean Marshall, Steven Thomson, Louise Rawlings, Matt McGhee, Stuart MacGregor, Ian McNeill. 

 

Guest Speakers

Alastair Thomson, Tom Lyndsay, Norman Geddes (all of the DSA)

 

Apologies:

John Docherty, Joe Duffin (non member),  Lyndsay Stewart (non member), Donna Tait, Euan Higgins, Rosemary Farrell (non member)

 

Ron Williams opened the meeting and welcomed everybody present.

 

Approval of previous minutes:

Paul Hopwood proposed the minutes, Hamish Lambert seconded them, there were no objections.

 

Paula and John M are not receiving minutes and emails, Ray to check out.

 

Financial report

Sally delivered a summary of the associations financial position.  Details are available from her. The group is in a healthy position and we now represent in the region of 50 instructors in the area.

 

DISC affiliation.

Ron Williams is arranging for us to affiliate to DISC soon. This will be worthwhile as we can join their voice with regard to the coming consultation document.

 

Recent Events

·        Ceilidh

·        Fire Station visit

 

Both were discussed.  Sally was thanked for organising the Celidh which was a successful night.

 

Forthcoming Events

·        Hamish spoke about West Drive, outlining to those present who had not attended before what it is all about, and encouraging people to attend. It is being held at Centrex house this year or the 26,27, 28th August.  Names to Hamish for those interested in attending.  3 per session. 

·        Ian Malone spoke about a presentation for Bill and Anne.  It was suggested that this is held on the 28th June at the Kaim Park in Bathgate.

 

 

Glenwood Gardens

The issue of reverse parking in the Glenwood Gardens streets in Armadale has re-raised its ugly head.  This was discussed with the DSA representatives, who have now taken this corner off test routes.  Everyone is asked to avoid this area for a while.

 

DFT Consultation document

This document was discussed along with the pros and cons of various points in it.  No one present had read the document in full, though several had skimmed it.  Alastair Thomson strongly recommended that everyone reads it and puts their comments back to the DFT.

 

General points for the examiners 

There were only a few points of comment for the examiners, which were answered by Tom and Alastair. 

 

There were several comments about road signs, in particular the 30 mph limit on the A7066 at the new entrance to the Wester Inch Village development.  A letter is to be written to the council asking for countdown markers to be put up as the speed limit drops from 70 (national limit) to 30 (built up area) with no warning.  Comments were made about the potential danger to lives when test candidates were the only people honouring this limit, especially when large lorries approach from behind at high speed. Tom and Norman confirmed that there MAY be occasions when safety is more important than a speed limit and that the whole circumstances of an incident should be considered when marking a test.

 

Date of next meeting: 

Monday September 1st 2008, to be held ar Craigsfarm, Livingston.