Mercurial > hg > rsof
annotate MHMC/2025-10-20/notes.txt @ 653:79c34b985df4
complete, as circulated
| author | Henry Thompson <ht@markup.co.uk> |
|---|---|
| date | Mon, 27 Oct 2025 18:11:08 +0000 |
| parents | 4fa8cf4e7240 |
| children |
| rev | line source |
|---|---|
| 642 | 1 Meeting House Management Committee Agenda 2025-10-20 |
| 2 Monday 20 October, 5.15 p.m., in 7 Victoria Terrace | |
| 3 | |
| 652 | 4 * Attendance: JP Ascher (JP, via Zoom), Eliza Giles (EG, observing), |
| 653 | 5 Rachael Fitzgerald (RF), Chris Jardine (CJ), Katrina McCrea (via Zoom), |
| 652 | 6 Jackie Noltingk, Laragh Quinney, Henry S. Thompson (HST), Andy |
| 7 Tucker (AT), Duncan Wallace (DW) | |
| 642 | 8 |
| 9 * Convenor's report | |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
10 * Change of representative from Treasury Team |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
11 |
| 652 | 12 We welcome Chris Jardine, the new AM Assistant |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
13 Treasurer, and say goodbye to Jackie Noltingk, with a very warm |
| 652 | 14 'Thank You!' for your long service and many contributions to the |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
15 work of this committee and your frequent help for its convenor. |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
16 |
| 642 | 17 * Suggestions from Local Meeting |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
18 |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
19 Turns out HST misunderstood the suggestion from LM Co-Clerk Juliet |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
20 Henderson regarding the provision of something to help keep folk |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
21 warm in the Meeting Room: it was _blankets_, not gillets. |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
22 |
| 652 | 23 We welcome the offer from Central Edinburgh Local Meeting to |
| 24 purchase a number of blankets to be made available for people | |
| 25 attending Meeting for Worship as the temperature drops and ask | |
| 26 them to liaise with the Managers about practical details such as | |
| 27 storage, signage and cleaning. *Action HST* to inform LM | |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
28 |
| 642 | 29 * Unpaid leave for Eliza Giles 3 months in August-November 2026: EAPPI |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
30 |
| 652 | 31 We are happy to agree to Eliza Giles taking three |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
32 months of unpaid leave August--November 2026 to be a volunteer |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
33 with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
34 Israel and wish her well in that very important and challenging |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
35 activity. |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
36 |
| 642 | 37 * Computing infrastructure |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
38 * New domain and storage |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
39 |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
40 Jonathan Riddell (the AM Treasurer) and David Sterratt have begun |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
41 a restructuring of various aspects of the Area Meeting's computing |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
42 infrastructure, in part in response to the creation of a new |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
43 domain (quaker.scot), including new email addresses and a move |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
44 from Dropbox to Google Drive. AT and HST met with them to discuss |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
45 changes this requires and/or enables changes in the Meeting House |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
46 computing setup. |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
47 |
| 642 | 48 * Windows 10 support |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
49 |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
50 HST and AT have worked together successfully to extend the |
| 652 | 51 provision of security updates to three of our Windows 10 PCs for a |
| 52 further year to 1 October 2026. *Action HST* to check with User 2 | |
| 53 about the newest machine vs. Windows 11. | |
| 54 | |
| 55 * Dundee Friends Property Trust (DFPT) | |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
56 |
| 652 | 57 In response to a request from the trustees of DFPT for information |
| 58 as they prepare to replace their single, part-time, employee, HST | |
| 59 shared some salary and job description informaiton based on | |
| 60 publicly available information. | |
| 642 | 61 |
| 652 | 62 DW suggested finding out more about DFPT's management plan, |
| 63 suggesting that it might be useful to develop a relationship with | |
| 64 them or some other peer with a Meeting House to manage. | |
| 647 | 65 |
| 642 | 66 * Managers' report |
| 647 | 67 |
| 642 | 68 * Defend our Juries |
| 647 | 69 |
| 652 | 70 There were only two people taken in to custody immediately after the |
| 71 demonstration at the Scottish Parliament on 6 January, and they were | |
| 72 both released later that day to friends and/or family, so the | |
| 73 Meeting House wasn't needed as a fallback recovery venue. HST and | |
| 74 Sammi Searle had been monitoring events via a Signal group so we | |
| 75 knew when we could stand down. | |
| 647 | 76 |
| 642 | 77 * Area Meeting 10 September |
| 647 | 78 |
| 652 | 79 AT introduced himself and Sammi. He reported to AM how the Warm |
| 80 Spaces had gone (well), but it's not going ahead this year. EG (who | |
| 81 was also there) and AT answered some questions about the 2025 | |
| 82 Fringe. We were reminded that in 2024 we put up the programme in | |
| 83 the Foyer ahead of time so Friends could review and comment. We | |
| 84 were asked to make it more obvious that this was a Quaker space, | |
| 85 which we have taken on board for next 2026, and already discussed | |
| 86 with Hartley Kemp, who was receptive. | |
| 87 | |
| 88 Perhaps we might reach out to Quaker groups who performed at Venue | |
| 89 40 to encourage them to consider coming again and telling them how | |
| 90 to get in touch with Hartley? | |
| 647 | 91 |
| 642 | 92 * New Casual Staff |
| 647 | 93 |
| 652 | 94 Two new casual staff are starting, they will each shadow existing |
| 95 staff for three hires before starting on their own. | |
| 647 | 96 |
| 642 | 97 * 2026 Room Hire pricing |
| 647 | 98 |
| 652 | 99 We *agreed* that prices should go up by at least as much as the |
| 100 Real Living Wage (RLW) goes up. RF helped in 2024 by sharing | |
| 101 information not only about Augustine United's rates, but some | |
| 102 other local comparators. The office is already getting enquiries | |
| 103 for 2026. HST and Managers to share a proposal wrt rates from | |
| 104 January 2026 with RF and DW by 10 NOvember for review. RLW now | |
| 105 announced at just under 7%. *Action* RF to share the local | |
| 106 comparators info. | |
| 647 | 107 |
| 642 | 108 * CVenues 2026 |
| 109 | |
| 647 | 110 MS has been doing some follow-up. Greenside are off the table |
| 111 (Alcohol). CVenues are keen, Momentum will need a venue in 2026, | |
| 112 supposed to meet around now. They would allow us to do some normal | |
| 113 lettings, maybe some rehearsal spaces. They would presumably be | |
| 114 gone in a year, and we would have lost Hartley. Hartley wants a | |
| 115 3-year contract. Two reasons to do that: save time each year; | |
| 116 justify investment on Hartley's part: sound-proofing, network | |
| 117 cabling/architecture. *Agreed* To ask Managers to go ahead and | |
| 118 offer Hartley a 3-year deal, details to be negotiated. HST to tell | |
| 119 Trustees | |
| 120 | |
| 121 * Mid-Week Meeting | |
| 122 | |
| 123 Will try to re-house in one of the big rooms if the Library is not | |
| 124 available. We could ask them to identify a point of contact. | |
| 125 *Action* HST to have a chat with Alison and Margaret about how we | |
| 126 could make communication a bit easier (Whats App; E-mail; phone | |
| 127 tree). | |
| 128 | |
| 129 * Probation Meetings | |
| 130 | |
| 131 Ellie and Majk's went well. MS might take his months (already | |
| 132 agreed) after EG returns. We might be able to get one of the Casual | |
| 133 Staff applicants who would suit very well to get a temporary | |
| 134 replacement. | |
| 135 | |
| 642 | 136 * Upper Bow report |
| 137 * Rent increase | |
| 647 | 138 |
| 652 | 139 JP no longer proposes rate increase. Different bases for |
| 140 considering rental value are market rates and desired yield. We | |
| 141 should aim to do"an honest job as a decent landlord". Small | |
| 142 regular increases are fairer than nothing for a while and then | |
| 143 bouncing a lot. We're in good shape wrt value, Southside is our | |
| 144 best source of advice wrt market rates. So we *Agreed* to go with | |
| 145 their advice, for a 2% increment. Although the market itself is | |
| 146 not necessarily fair, the proposed raise from £900 to £918/mo | |
| 147 is not extortionate. | |
| 647 | 148 |
| 642 | 149 * Vacancy management |
| 150 | |
| 653 | 151 The tenants have returned. |
| 647 | 152 |
| 642 | 153 * Finance report |
| 154 | |
| 653 | 155 CJ presented a very well set-out summary of monthly- and |
| 156 year-to-date figures (attached), which show a very good month in | |
| 157 September, and a decrease in the projected deficit each month since | |
| 158 July, for which HST thanked staff. | |
| 647 | 159 |
| 160 AT feels that the 'overrun' on the staff budget makes him think the | |
| 161 budget itself is unreasonable. The question of what the budget | |
| 162 should be based on should be sorted with Trustees as a matter of | |
| 163 urgency. Contract staff costs are fixed. Casual staff hours pay | |
| 164 for themself. The complexity arises when we get to the need for | |
| 165 cover throughout each weekday. | |
| 166 | |
| 167 *Action* on staff (and JN) to bring what they can about | |
| 168 understanding where our income comes from to the next meeting. | |
| 169 | |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
170 * Heating/Insulation/Energy... |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
171 * Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) |
| 647 | 172 |
| 173 DW points out that there's a local CARES person (Energy Adviser) for | |
| 174 this part of Scotland who we should cultivate in time for the next | |
| 653 | 175 opportunity. *Action* to DW to work with MS find out if the |
| 647 | 176 person we were given to liaise with over the previous application, |
| 653 | 177 is the right person. |
| 647 | 178 |
| 179 Two heaters have been fixed. Library heater under investigation. | |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
180 |
| 642 | 181 * Works to be undertaken Upper Bow |
| 182 * Report from Majk Stokes | |
| 183 | |
| 647 | 184 Quotes for windows, flooring. Accessibility is an issue. *ACTION* |
| 653 | 185 on AT and MS to give HST something for Trustees on 28 Oct. |
| 647 | 186 |
| 642 | 187 * Quinquennial review/News from Trustees |
| 188 | |
| 653 | 189 [out of time, will push this higher up next time] |
| 190 | |
|
644
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
191 * Staff escalation route if they need backup |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
192 |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
193 Trustees wrote to us about this, following up on the meeting in |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
194 July where SCALP (Scottish Community and Activist Legal Project) |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
195 gave Meeting House staff a training session on _Working Well with |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
196 the Police_. |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
197 |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
198 "we need ... an assurance from [MHMC] that staff have an |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
199 escalation route whenever they need backup. ... We are happy for |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
200 trustees to be on a reserve backup list in case no-one from MHMC |
|
57c0b1592367
now with background/draft minutes
Henry S Thompson <ht@inf.ed.ac.uk>
parents:
643
diff
changeset
|
201 is available." |
| 642 | 202 |
| 653 | 203 All we have at the moment is an informal phone tree: MHM -> MHMC via |
| 204 HST -> Trustees via Martin Ward | |
| 647 | 205 |
| 653 | 206 What SCALP gave us was more in the direction of how to behave |
| 647 | 207 towards the police in a less than full-cooperation way. But was not |
| 208 really quite what we expected/hoped for for _building staff_. | |
| 209 | |
| 653 | 210 De-escalation training! RF to let us know more about this. |
| 647 | 211 |
| 212 We will come back to this. | |
| 213 | |
| 642 | 214 * Date of next meeting |
| 215 | |
| 653 | 216 Tentatively 17th November 1715 in the Meeting House |
| 642 | 217 |
| 218 ht |