Minutes of Winter Meeting of Medway and District Branch on 26th November 2019 at Avenue Theatre, Sittingbourne.

Apologies

Apologies received from Mr B. Griffin, Mr R Reynolds and Mr J. Rayment.

Obituaries

A list of all those colleagues who have passed away was read out to the meeting and minutes silence was observed. There were two additional obituaries received after Newsletter had been published, Former Sgt 6839 John Goering died 9/11/19 last served SB Firearms Former D/Insp 4363 Raymond Scott died 16/11/19 last served CID Support FHQ

Minutes of Spring Meeting

The minutes of the Spring 2019 Meeting were agreed by the Meeting and duly signed as a true record by the Vice Chairman and secretary.

Chairman’s Report

The Chairman asked that I mention the several Passing out Parades held at FHQ that he and the Vice Chairman attended. Also former Ch/Insp Stuart Donaldson also attended. All these events have been really well attended. The Chairman and vice Chairman attended the Centenary Event at the Tower of London which had as guest speaker HRH The Princess Royal and they also attended the Kent Branches Centenary Luncheon in Maidstone.

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising. Secretary and Treasurers Report

The Secretary raised the issue of lack of support within the Branch and hoped that changing venue and suggesting a subsidised meal may raise some interest from members and increase the attendance at meetings which gives members a chance to meet up with old colleagues.

The Secretary read out all correspondence received in particular the increase in Police Pensions would be 1.7% this being the CPI for September. The NARPO subs will also increase by 1.7%.

The Force have decided that the next Old Comrades Lunch will not be held at FHQ owing they say to large number of recruits joining the Force. It is likely to be held at the Cornwallis Suite in Tovil and the cost has yet to be announced.

The Secretary will be delivering the £50 Christmas Gift to widows in December 2019 apart from those out of area which would be posted. There are 28 widows in the Branch and the cost is £1400.

The second precept payable to NARPO Headquarters has been sent.

The Branch funds are very healthy with all monies owed having been paid and no matters are outstanding. Any Other Business In relation to Widows Christmas Gift of £50 it was raised by several members that owing to the healthy state of Branch funds that consideration be given to increasing this amount to either £60 or £75 and it was decided to hold this decision over until the AGM and Spring Meeting where a decision would be made.

It was also suggested that as we have moved venue across the road to the Appleyard in Sittingbourne members attending may like to participate of a meal in the restaurant at this venue and that the cost of this would be partly met by the Branch. A decision on this will also be made at the next meeting. The Secretary agreed that this matter would be put onto the next Newsletter for the AGM and Spring Meeting.

The matter of trips was again raised and several ideas put forward and the chairman and Mr Bob Morris will look into these and results will be placed onto Branch website

There being no other business the Meeting closed at 0845 hours.

The next Meeting will be held on Tuesday 24th March 2020 at 1930 hours at The Appleyard, Avenue of Remembrance, Sittingbourne.

Signed...............................................................Mr T. Lynch Chairman

Signed................................................................Mr B. Goldfarb Secretary