Post by sam on Jul 13, 2014 17:04:10 GMT
A bit old now in terms of info, but here's the minutes from the original Extraordinary General Meeting, where we discussed the issue in a broad discussion....
Extra-ordinary general meeting 23rd June 2014
Attendees: (approx 55 + 1 dog + younguns watching a film)
Mike D, Rosie M, Jill H, Julia H, Nathan C, Diane J, Bill D, Ashley P, Elodie R, Trevor, Diana S, Ben P, Louise B, Adrian S, David W, Neil W, Mark B, Anna S, Michael P, Geoff K, Lee T, Yvonne R, Adam G, Clare G, Clara O, KD, David D, Sam G, Rachel W, Andrew W, Deborah B, Clare B, Lauren E, Keith P, Stephen F, Caermel Mc, John S, Ilana M, Leah M, Marek G, Paul H, Jack R, Robin B, Joe S, Lindsay D, Lukas G, Mat F, Fran D, Claire T, Paul F
Facilitators: Andy, Rachel, Sam
Minutes: Robin & Mike D
Agenda:
1 Aims + Groundrules (Andy)
2 Introductions & What we value about S + S (go-round, recorded on wall & on film)
3 Information (Ilana on our origins and up till now, Jack & Marek on latest meeting with current landlord)
4 Longterm Strategy
5 Midterm Strategy (dec onward)
6 Short-term Strategy (now-dec)
7 Beer
Also : announcement about Ouseburn one-way system
2.
The membership expressed what was important to them about the building. Recorded but not (yet) in these minutes.
3.
Illana - history of the S&S’s beginning: began as a meeting not as a building, which began with volunteers at the heart, and practically with the first building festival, then 9 months of DIY work, becoming fire-safe, licensed etc., the beast evolved.
Reports:
Marek – Meeting with the landlord (Roy Leach), give us 6 months notice. Wants to retire and leave the place to his children.
Trevor/Jack/Marek – explained the legal side, tenancy of will: we’ve lived on one for several years. Left us with no rights. His announcement may have given us some leeway and a little extra time. It would take a court order to challenge process, which we would be liable for in terms of costs. We tried to buy time through suggesting we take the whole lease on, but not confirmation from the landlord in terms of that negotiated question. Got the impression that plans have been made for building, with a developer.
Discussed proposals suggested for slowing down the exit from the building. Might be difficult or possible, landlord may be looking for vacant possession.
Alternative Possibilities : Group 1 Nearby/Ouseburn
Sam – met with Ouseburn Trust [OT] (present in meeting), Looked at Gibb st baths/offquays/metal warehouse next to ernest, carpet warehouse, lots of the vacant land has option to develop with Igloo.
Ilana – reports David Robertson of Igloo keen, 1 option near toffee factor, 1 near spillers
- Kate from Cobalt studios also keen to support.
John – OT keen and supportive
OT reported their meeting v keen to support us, they were originally set up to enable things like S&S to set up and thrive. “The jewel in the crown”, “mini Berlin vibe going on”, “vital to the Ouseburn that you stay”
Fran – made herself available to check access issues for these potential venues
Jack - Blue/orange buildings by Lime st/Quay timber interesting. Spoke Paul Murphy, says £2/300,000 repairs, upstairs bad state etc.. Owner died, currently ‘in state’
SS current footprint = 300m squared (core/minimum)
Alternative Possibilities : Group 2 - further afield
Mat - Plaza cinema West Rd, viewing to come, quoted 5x our current rent
4, 5 & 6
Small Group Discussion
Where do we want S&S to be in 2 years time (to feed into task groups)
Group1 (Debbie)
Ownership/ not gentrifying for others to capitalise on/ achievable selfbuild/ keep our character ie.don’t aim beyond/sizes of things in this building eg bar could be bigger/ Ouseburn good/minimum 10 year tenancy!
Group2 (Robin)
Need a place to hangout – popups and separate places no good/ prefer Ouseburn/ long term want our own building/ 30 year minimum tenancy!
Group 3 (Jack)
Aim for same but different – warehouseish, Ouseburnish/ extra add-ons eg popup cinema/ artsquats-openair cinema/ an out-there newbuild out of haybales!
Group 4 (Rosie)
Accessible, safe, people used to going/ Ouseburn strength as existing social hub/ Liverpool Everyman-Euro money funds/ short-term festivals in meantime/ multi-use space, one where everyone gets together rather than in other people’s spaces/ keeps vol-run ethos/ concerns about keeping energy up when not at beginning
Group 5 (Trevor)
Everything we’ve got now and more/ so grow (eg.theatre) but must include this that we have/ where – here’d be nice (take on these buildings), or somewhere similar scale/ green selfbuild’d be nice/ don’t let it accumulate rubbish/ careful who we partner with/ Bill’s been offered a factory
Group 6 (Mat)
Will be similar to this/ 1million may be raised q easily – but not in 6 months, maybe persuade Roy to wait 12 months/ we have a proven model
Group 7 (Fran)
Same as we have now – volunteer-cooperative space, welcoming to all who’re antifascist/ Bluesky ideas - Co-op/Alliance, lodgings for placements/ examples from Unity Centre Glasgow/ safe space (not in middle of Bigg Market)/ Walker library, bus routes/ growing space (outdoors)/ heating/ community computers/ kitchen/ café
Group 8 (Anna)
Discussed locations/ Learn from Cube Bristol/ Maintain what we have so things such as Tusk can continue/ transportable objects
Group 9 (KD)
Minimum floorsize q scary – want adaptable space/ Ouseburn pref if possible/ longterm aim to own & avoid paying landlords/ art-studio spaces/ don’t lose primary involvement of volunteers through association with eg architect
Sam – query whether council issues with container buildings done by volunteers?
Robin – David Dobereiner has experience
Rachel – suggest after a beer we do 3 groups exploring 3 options:
Option 1 – stay here & grow on this site (rug group)
Option 2 – find somewhere in Ouseburn to transfer to (stage group)
Option 3 – newbuild elsewhere (piano group)
(at time of emailing you these minutes, 8.50pm, these groups have not formed!)
Suggestions made toward end of EGM:
Bill – need to decide who’s going to be on the sub groups at this meeting now
Trevor - callout for people to come and do what they do in the cinema before it goes
Mat – suggestion set up meeting for how people who want to help us (not by putting on event in building) eg.Tyneside
NEXT MEETINGS = Sundays 4pm and report back to Monday meetings
For more info and communication :
future-subscribe@lists.starandshadow.org.uk
Attendees: (approx 55 + 1 dog + younguns watching a film)
Mike D, Rosie M, Jill H, Julia H, Nathan C, Diane J, Bill D, Ashley P, Elodie R, Trevor, Diana S, Ben P, Louise B, Adrian S, David W, Neil W, Mark B, Anna S, Michael P, Geoff K, Lee T, Yvonne R, Adam G, Clare G, Clara O, KD, David D, Sam G, Rachel W, Andrew W, Deborah B, Clare B, Lauren E, Keith P, Stephen F, Caermel Mc, John S, Ilana M, Leah M, Marek G, Paul H, Jack R, Robin B, Joe S, Lindsay D, Lukas G, Mat F, Fran D, Claire T, Paul F
Facilitators: Andy, Rachel, Sam
Minutes: Robin & Mike D
Agenda:
1 Aims + Groundrules (Andy)
2 Introductions & What we value about S + S (go-round, recorded on wall & on film)
3 Information (Ilana on our origins and up till now, Jack & Marek on latest meeting with current landlord)
4 Longterm Strategy
5 Midterm Strategy (dec onward)
6 Short-term Strategy (now-dec)
7 Beer
Also : announcement about Ouseburn one-way system
2.
The membership expressed what was important to them about the building. Recorded but not (yet) in these minutes.
3.
Illana - history of the S&S’s beginning: began as a meeting not as a building, which began with volunteers at the heart, and practically with the first building festival, then 9 months of DIY work, becoming fire-safe, licensed etc., the beast evolved.
Reports:
Marek – Meeting with the landlord (Roy Leach), give us 6 months notice. Wants to retire and leave the place to his children.
Trevor/Jack/Marek – explained the legal side, tenancy of will: we’ve lived on one for several years. Left us with no rights. His announcement may have given us some leeway and a little extra time. It would take a court order to challenge process, which we would be liable for in terms of costs. We tried to buy time through suggesting we take the whole lease on, but not confirmation from the landlord in terms of that negotiated question. Got the impression that plans have been made for building, with a developer.
Discussed proposals suggested for slowing down the exit from the building. Might be difficult or possible, landlord may be looking for vacant possession.
Alternative Possibilities : Group 1 Nearby/Ouseburn
Sam – met with Ouseburn Trust [OT] (present in meeting), Looked at Gibb st baths/offquays/metal warehouse next to ernest, carpet warehouse, lots of the vacant land has option to develop with Igloo.
Ilana – reports David Robertson of Igloo keen, 1 option near toffee factor, 1 near spillers
- Kate from Cobalt studios also keen to support.
John – OT keen and supportive
OT reported their meeting v keen to support us, they were originally set up to enable things like S&S to set up and thrive. “The jewel in the crown”, “mini Berlin vibe going on”, “vital to the Ouseburn that you stay”
Fran – made herself available to check access issues for these potential venues
Jack - Blue/orange buildings by Lime st/Quay timber interesting. Spoke Paul Murphy, says £2/300,000 repairs, upstairs bad state etc.. Owner died, currently ‘in state’
SS current footprint = 300m squared (core/minimum)
Alternative Possibilities : Group 2 - further afield
Mat - Plaza cinema West Rd, viewing to come, quoted 5x our current rent
4, 5 & 6
Small Group Discussion
Where do we want S&S to be in 2 years time (to feed into task groups)
Group1 (Debbie)
Ownership/ not gentrifying for others to capitalise on/ achievable selfbuild/ keep our character ie.don’t aim beyond/sizes of things in this building eg bar could be bigger/ Ouseburn good/minimum 10 year tenancy!
Group2 (Robin)
Need a place to hangout – popups and separate places no good/ prefer Ouseburn/ long term want our own building/ 30 year minimum tenancy!
Group 3 (Jack)
Aim for same but different – warehouseish, Ouseburnish/ extra add-ons eg popup cinema/ artsquats-openair cinema/ an out-there newbuild out of haybales!
Group 4 (Rosie)
Accessible, safe, people used to going/ Ouseburn strength as existing social hub/ Liverpool Everyman-Euro money funds/ short-term festivals in meantime/ multi-use space, one where everyone gets together rather than in other people’s spaces/ keeps vol-run ethos/ concerns about keeping energy up when not at beginning
Group 5 (Trevor)
Everything we’ve got now and more/ so grow (eg.theatre) but must include this that we have/ where – here’d be nice (take on these buildings), or somewhere similar scale/ green selfbuild’d be nice/ don’t let it accumulate rubbish/ careful who we partner with/ Bill’s been offered a factory
Group 6 (Mat)
Will be similar to this/ 1million may be raised q easily – but not in 6 months, maybe persuade Roy to wait 12 months/ we have a proven model
Group 7 (Fran)
Same as we have now – volunteer-cooperative space, welcoming to all who’re antifascist/ Bluesky ideas - Co-op/Alliance, lodgings for placements/ examples from Unity Centre Glasgow/ safe space (not in middle of Bigg Market)/ Walker library, bus routes/ growing space (outdoors)/ heating/ community computers/ kitchen/ café
Group 8 (Anna)
Discussed locations/ Learn from Cube Bristol/ Maintain what we have so things such as Tusk can continue/ transportable objects
Group 9 (KD)
Minimum floorsize q scary – want adaptable space/ Ouseburn pref if possible/ longterm aim to own & avoid paying landlords/ art-studio spaces/ don’t lose primary involvement of volunteers through association with eg architect
Sam – query whether council issues with container buildings done by volunteers?
Robin – David Dobereiner has experience
Rachel – suggest after a beer we do 3 groups exploring 3 options:
Option 1 – stay here & grow on this site (rug group)
Option 2 – find somewhere in Ouseburn to transfer to (stage group)
Option 3 – newbuild elsewhere (piano group)
(at time of emailing you these minutes, 8.50pm, these groups have not formed!)
Suggestions made toward end of EGM:
Bill – need to decide who’s going to be on the sub groups at this meeting now
Trevor - callout for people to come and do what they do in the cinema before it goes
Mat – suggestion set up meeting for how people who want to help us (not by putting on event in building) eg.Tyneside
NEXT MEETINGS = Sundays 4pm and report back to Monday meetings
For more info and communication :
future-subscribe@lists.starandshadow.org.uk
