OBM Summary Minutes from Tues 15th December, 2022 – Strutts Centre
Apologies; Melanie Parker, Phoebe McMillan
Attending: Roger Moors, Simon Hudson,Carol Brewer, Chris Toner, Ian Hill (4 attending)
- Minutes from previous meeting were agreed.
- The group extended a warm welcome to Ian Hill, Belper North Mill museum volunteer, who was able to share invaluable experience and insight regarding the museum. We look forward to developing the relationship between OBM and the museum team and including information regarding museum events as part of our regular communications.
Ian suggested establishing contact with Pawtucket, USA to pursue any potential support or funding streams. It was agreed this would be an action for the OBM 2023 action plan
- Meetings;It was agreed that for 2023, a regular monthly meeting should be scheduled for 2nd Thursday of every month, possibly at Strutts centre or other appropriate venue. This will enable us to plan ahead.
- WhatsApp group has developed into an inefficient method of lengthy communication. With the benefit of regular meetings, it was agreed that the WhatsApp group should be used only for alerts or brief notification. Communication should be via email enabling clearer actions and responses.
If email content clearly states the action required, who needs to respond and by when, also including ‘For Info Only’ or ‘Action Required’ within the header title, this will assist greatly.
- ITV News item was generally felt to be a good piece of PR, however much of the content recorded was not shown. It was felt that it had not attracted much response from the community, however good relationships have been established with the producer and reporter for future contact. It was suggested that a link via You Tube be uploaded onto the website for reference.
Ian Hill to email link to Dave for uploading.
- Planning Application meeting scheduled for December has been deferred again, with the required feasibility studies yet to be undertaken and then reviewed by English Heritage who will consider how a balance between heritage and viability might be achieved. Realistically this means that progress is unliklely to be before mid 2023.
- Next partners meeting is scheduled for Friday, 3rd February at Strutts centre. Roger is unable to attend as he is out of the country and has asked if the date could be changed but is not anticipating this will be possible. It was agreed that OBM should be represented in order to update the partners with factual progress to date and to take notes of comments and points arising during the meeting. If any committee member would like to attend as the OBM representative, please advise asap. In the event that no one wishes to put themselves forward, CB will attend on behalf of the group.
- For consistency and clarity in explaining the role of OBM, reference was made to the Constitution. It was agreed that conversations can sometmes take a different path and whilst personal opinions can be expressed, the role of OBM should be stated as it appears in the Constitution.
The objective of OBM is; Within a partnership of organisations and working together at local, national and international level, restore and put to viable use, the Belper Mills site(s) to a world-wide recognised standard.
The aims of Our Belper Mills are:
1. Engage with the general public, both locally and worldwide to raise awareness of the heritage, importance and value of the site(s) and ensuring that all available information, plans and progress are regularly communicated to the widest audience
2. Listen to, respect and take account of, the views of local people as well as commercial and environmental issues and to represent the public voice of the community,
3. Work together with any partnership of organisations involved, in the restoration and rescue of the Belper Mills site(s), using the information received to help shape the solution.
4. Engage with local and national press and media to promote the aims of OBM and raise awareness
5. Actively seek to increase to increase membership of the group and continually improve our effectiveness.
- Roles & Responsibilities were felt to have overlapped in some areas, particularly in respect of publicity and social media. Due to time constraints, Phoebe has stated a preference for someone else to look after social media updates and it was agreed that this should be actioned asap.
Newly signed up member Peter Bowley (Corfu Tourist) has a lot of experience in effectively using social media and has offered to look at helping OBM set up a Facebook page which OBM would then maintain. Melanie has mentioned that she also has a contact who could help with social media.
It was agreed that we should pursue Peter Bowley’s offer of help regarding the initial page set up and introduce him to Phoebe as she has suggested. Also subject to Melanie (depending upon her contact info) and Phoebe’s (Dave too, as IT/Publicity support) agreement, we could also put a call out to our members to see if anyone would like to help with the ongoing maintenance of this important area of communication.
- Volunteer Offers of help are welcome, however it was agreed that any assistance would not be an urgent requirement and, based on OBM regular monthly meetings taking place, any future offers of help could be made via email, outlining the specific help being offered, which would then be discussed at the next meeting.
- OBM Newsletter as previously discussed, provides an opportunity to communicate with our supporters and members. It was agreed that a quarterly newsletter would be appropriate and could include any feedback and progress to date, newsworthy items and an advance programme of events where OBM would have a presence.
It was agreed that we should put a general call out to the membership to see if anyone has experience and skills in producing a newsletter and would like to be involved. CB has offered to assist with creating written content as required.
- Ron Common from Aqueduct Cottage will meet with Roger in the new year.
- Adrian Farmer from Belper Historical Society has invited Roger to give OBM presentation 6th Feb
- Bank Account proving difficult to open. Immediate option might be to open a standard ‘all to sign’ building society account with local Nottingham Building society in Belper to enable Roger to pursue obtaining funds from Foundation Derbyshire. Derbyshire Community Bank was also suggested.
- Next Meeting – Thursday 12th January 2023
ACTION
- Ian Hill to email You tube ITN media coverage link to Dave for uploading
- Committee to advise re representng OBM at partners meeting 3rd February (CB on standby)
- Melanie to update committee re her prospective social media contact
- Melanie, Phoebe & Dave to comment (by Weds Dec 21st) re suggested plans re Peter Bowley offer & membership call out
- Subject to feedback from MP/PM/DH (see above action point), Chris to mailchimp call outs for help with social media and newsletter
- Roger to investigate Derbyshire Community Bank as possible option
2023 Meeting Dates (monthly, every 2nd Thursday)
January 12th
February 9th
March 9th
April 13th
May 11th
June 8th
July 13th
August 10th
September 14th
October 12th
November 9th
December 14th