Minutes of the Meeting of the B.M.F.A. North West Area held on 31st January 2006 at the Millstone, Golbourne.

Persons Present
Chris Bromley FSMAE Area Chairman
Mike Colling FSMAE Vice Chairman / Wigan MAC
Derek Gilbert Secretary and Treasurer / Sale MFC
Roy Allam Achievement Scheme Cordinator / FCMFA
Steve Ogden Area Delegate / PMAG
David Lloyd-Jones Area PRO / CCMAA
Sue Reeves Area Education Co-ordinator / PMAG
Richard Budd Bury Metro
Keith Barker Area Web Master / Rochdale MAC
S Headland Rochdale MAC
Gerry Ferer Timperley MF
Tom Anyon ACE
Jim Radcliffe Timperley DMFC
Andy Grayson Kirby Moss MAC
9 voting

The meeting commenced at 20. 04

Apologies for absence: Peter Wheatland

Correspondence: None.

CB reported that it may be possible to agree a date for a "Child Protection" meeting soon.

Minutes of the previous meetings
Minutes proposed by RB, seconded by JR, carried by a unanimous vote.

Matters Arising
CB noted that 2.4GHz was in use in the USA with 100mw and was successful for aircraft use. An application to OFCOM to increase power to 100mw in the UK looked likely to succeed. This could have a major impact on RC systems soon.

Officer's Reports
Nothing specific to report other than RA noted that he had not been receiving the second sheet of the club affiliation forms from the office.

Council Agenda
Council Meeting 7 January 2006
The minutes of the meeting were reviewed by SO & CB.
The draft guidelines for "Clubs with Members who have a Disability or Special Needs" requires further amendments to make it more user friendly for clubs and a further draft will be published. There followed a discussion on this topic and it was noted that clubs cannot refuse membership to disabled persons and any facilities in use must also be suitable for disabled members. For example if toilets are provided then they should be suitable for disabled persons, however if no toilets are provided then there is no requirement to provide disabled toilets.
The rest of the meeting was general office business.
Areas Council Meeting agenda 4 February.
The agenda was reviewed
CB reviewed the changes proposed for the Achievement Schemes section of the handbook. The meeting suggested:
Recommended numbers of Club Examiners be reviewed
Certificate re-tests should also refer to "C" certificates
Helicopter "B" certificate - the position of the M relative to the pilot should be made clear.
It was noted that the Midland area wished to reduce the number of area meetings and run the area using E mail. CB pointed out that the distances for clubs in that area to travel to meetings was much greater than the North West.
No voting directions were given to the delegate.

Area Fly-in and competitions
KB reported that he had now booked the sports hall for the next 7 events. The meeting agreed that the area should purchase a scanner for the indoor events which may also be used for frequency checking for the outdoor meetings. Several types were discussed and the Treasurer was authorised to purchase a hand held scanner for approx £55.00
DLJ noted that no firm commitment made yet for Shawbury. SO to consider a location for a September meeting as well.

Area Coverage of Chief Examiners
SO stated that the area had lost 2 ACEs in recent years and with the extra work to test "C" certs we need more. After some discussion the meeting's view was that the present ACEs were not over worked but we could perhaps do with cover for Staffs and Shropshire. CB offered to review possible candidates and report back to the meeting.

Any Other Business
Sale noted that most radio sets sold to new flyers now do not not include a frequency pennant.
Timperley raised the amendments to free flight rules- CB stated that there was now a changes leaflet. CB informed the meeting that possible changes to balloting at the National AGM was under review by David who will be reporting on methods and costing to a future council meeting. In answer to "do we have to wait until the next AGM to see the previous AGM minutes" the Secretary agreed to post the unapproved minutes on the area web site.
DLJ reported that Liverpool need a name to include on paperwork for the Eddie Riding. Whilst Eric Clark will not be able to be present at the event this year, DLJ would ask him if he would still be the organising contact.

Meeting closed at 22.35

These minutes are provisional until approved at the next meeting

LOCAL EVENTS

26 February LMA Haigh Hall

12th March Northwich Swapmeet

16th April NW Area Indoor Fly-In

6th &7th May Southport Model Show

7th May Blackpool & Fylde Coast Jet Turbine meeting

28th May Blackpool & Fylde Coast Electric Fly-in

9-11th June Blackburn&DMAC Mid Summer Rally

Details of the above and many other club events can be found on the area web site bmfa-nw.org/ on the events page

NEXT NORTH WEST AREA MEETINGS
Area Meetings 25 April 8.00pm
6 June 8.00pm
12 September 8.00pm
17 October 8.00pm
Area AGM 12 December 8.00pm