General Meeting 

Monday 1st  September 2008

 

Present:

Ray Lynch, Liz Shaw, Alison King, Graham Steel, Mary Coull, Wendy Souter, Carole Angus, John Meikle, Tom Meechan, Ian Malone, Gordon Sutherland, John Maclellan, Rod Cameron, William Millar, Katherine Kerr (Guest), Euan Higgins, Murray Forsyth, Matt McGhee.

 

Guest Speakers

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

 

Apologies:

Dick McMillan, Helen Fearn, Louise Rawlings, Andy Easton, Donna Tait, Kerry Stainsby, Ray Lynch

 

Ron Williams opened the meeting and welcomed everybody present.

 

Approval of previous minutes:

Tom Meechan proposed the minutes, John Meikle seconded them, there were no objections.

 

Financial report

Sally delivered a summary of the associations financial position.  The group remains in a healthy position and we now represent of 53 instructors in the area.

 

Recent Events

·        West Drive – a summary was given by Carole Angus.  The event was a success.

·        Bill and Annes Night out

Both were discussed.  Ian Malone, Tom Meechan and Scott MacAllister were thanked for organising Bill and Annes Night out.

 

Coming events

·        The quiz night was regarded as a good idea, a future date to be planned.

·        The barbeque was regarded as a less successful idea.

·        There is a list for the Christmas night out that will be going up in the DTC.  The date will be Friday 12th December, the venue will be the Cairn Hotel and the price is £23.

 

Meeting with Fraud and Integrity unit will go ahead on Monday 6th October at Deans Community High school.

 

DISC affiliation.

DISC annual conference takes place in September, Ray and Ron intend to attend. We intend to join at the beginning of the DISC year.

 

Road Markings

Most of the road markings have now been repainted and have been done as part of a scheduled program of maintenance.  The big issue of the 30 mile per hour limit on the A7066 remains outstanding. Ray still to meet with Kevin Hamilton to discuss this item. 

An issue was also pointed out with regard to the markings at Armadale cross.

 

Independent Instructors Association

It was felt that we have little or nothing to gain from joining this association.

 

Police Eyes and Ears

Everyone is happy to join in as a part of the voluntary scheme where we will join forces with the local Police force.  In the event of a child reported missing in the area the local police will contact Ray who will then send out a cascading text message to all members.  The idea is to have extra eyes and ears on the streets looking out for the missing children.

 

CPD

Ray explained that meetings that have a specific purpose can be counted towards CPD. Certificates for attendance at the March and June meetings were issued.

The October meeting with the F&I meeting will also count to CPD.

 

Personal Details given out by DSA

Liz Shaw explained that someone had been able to garner a significant amount of personal details on her from the DSA. Liz is to contact the DSA to find out what information is given out and under what circumstances.

 

Tea and Coffee facilities at the DTC

Andy Prowse has put a kettle and cups in the DTC kitchen.  Tea and a biscuit only 50p.  The shop will be reopening shortly.

 

Venue of meetings

Paula Moran registered a comment that all of the meetings are taking place in Livingston.  However the majority of instructors agree that it is beneficial to have the meetings in the one place, and Livingston is central to the majority of members.  The meetings will continue in the current venue.

 

Examiner conduct (Dual Controls)

Several people mentioned that one of the examiners appears to have a tendency to use the dual brake under questionable circumstances. All instructors will monitor the situation until the next meeting to determine if there is a genuine pattern to this. 

 

Date of next meeting: 

Monday December 1st 2008, to be held at Craigsfarm, Livingston.