THE LEEDS ASSOCIATION OF ENGINEERS
Minutes of the Council Meeting held at 7.15pm on Thursday 7th November 2013 at the Cornerhouse Club Leeds.
1. Attendance. A. Kibler (President) in the chair with J. Shergill, J. Aldersley, B. Yates, M. Murray, I. Scholes, J. Bentley, A. Rogers, J. McClarty, G. Toulson and I. Blakeley.
2. Apologies for absence. K. Hegarty.
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting, dated 3rd October 2013 were, approved & signed.
4. Matters Arising. None.
5. Treasurers Report. Mr. Bentley reported the following financial transactions for the month.
Current Account.
Credits
3 1/2 stock £4.81
2 1/2 stock £3.75
Subs (Ratcliff ) £15.00
Debits
Corner House room hire for 2013/4 £120.00
Mike Armstrong (Donation in Memory of) £100.00
We are still owed £495.00 for Golf.
Savings account
Interest £5.23
He reported that we are still owed £495 from a company for the Golf Day, he has chased the money but the person at the company involved is on leave. We have received an invoice from Leeds University for use of the lecture theatre (Quicksilver Lecture) but will ask the university if a price reduction is available because a number of their students were in attendance. Mr. Bentley will approach Mr. Hegarty to establish whether he wishes to continue as second signature for the current account.
6. Church Commemorative Plaque. Mr. Kibler proposed that a number of council members should visit Leeds Minster on the 23rd November at 11. 00 am. to view existing plaques, this is subject to confirmation that Tony Bundock (Vicar Of Leeds Minster) is available. Mr. Murray, Mr. Scholes and Mr. Bentley agreed to attend.
7. Correspondence. The University of Leeds has asked us whether any of our membership are interested in attending the Driving Simulator to take part in a research project. This would involve driving the simulator for 2 ½ hours whilst being monitored. A payment of £30 will be made to anyone taking part, they must have 20/20 vision. Mr. Murray will advertise this on our next flyer. Mr.Yates received a letter from Mike Bate telling him of a model aircraft group in Mirfield who might be available for a visit and could yield potential members for Leeds Association of Engineers. We also had a letter from Nigel MacKnight advising us of the benefits of the Quicksilver Corporate Club, normally membership costs £395, but because we already made a £200 donation when he gave the lecture, a further £200 would secure our membership. We had discussed this on the night of the lecture and the council felt this was something worthy of our support. Mr. Scholes proposed that we should join the Quicksilver Corporate Club, this was seconded by Mr. Shergill and agreed unanimously by council, Mr. Bentley will organise payment of £200.
8. Journal. Nothing to report.
9. Current Programme. Mr. Kibler has finalised arrangements for a factory visit to Kirkstall Precision, this completes this sessions programme. The visit will be on the 29th May 2014. Mr. Murray said the Silver Birch is booked for the carvery after the Ladies Evening but needs numbers as early as possible.
10. Membership. No new members this month. Notice will be posted out that subscriptions are due. We agreed that the subscription notice should be sent out with a stamped addressed envelope. This has improved returns over the last few years.
11. Next Session. Mr. Kibler said that in view of the difficulty we have had filling this year’s programme we should be chasing leads now for the next session. Mr. Murray had contacted the company that do protective coatings for tanks, but did n’t get a response. Mr. Shergill will contact Dr. Simon Rudman of Leeds University to request a lecture. Mr. Yates said he would compile a lecture. It was suggested that we approach Frank Smith and Harry Jackson both of them have a number of topics they can give lectures on.
12. Website. Mr. Toulson commented that the website is up to date, but he would welcome any contribution in order to keep the content fresh. He will put a reminder on the website that subscriptions are due.
13. Golf. Nothing to report.
14. Annual Dinner. Mr. Yates will contact the lady pilot mentioned in our last months minutes to ask if she is available to speak at our annual dinner. Mr. Toulson will contact Manchester Association of Engineers, to obtain details of Clive Williams who is featured on their website. He is a very accomplished after dinner speaker who has given us three lectures many years ago.
15. Badges for Council Members. Mr. Yates circulated some sample badges he had obtained with a view to using at the Annual Dinner. In the past all officers of the council had badges identifying them. However a number of these have been lost over the years. We thought it might be a good idea to re-introduce them. But the modern badges available are of poor quality unless significant money is spent. We therefore decided not to pursue this any further.
Any other Business. Having no other business Mr. Kibler closed the meeting.
……………………………………………President. ……………….. Date