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| 2014 |
Executive Committee Members: Patricia Daniels (PD), John Doland (JD), Doris Halls (DoH), Graham Hardy (GH), David Harper (DaH), Joyce Jarvis (JJ), Nick Martensz (NM), Josephine Powell (JP), Chris Stannard (CS), L.M. Stockman (LMS)
Emilio Ceraudo (EC) was absent with apologies.
Surgery Representatives: [none]
Fiona McGlashan (FM) was absent with apologies. She explained that the surgery thought it best that the Executive Committee Members discuss the possible dissolution of the PPG without a surgery representative being present.
The minutes from the meeting of 29 October 2014 were approved and accepted.
Following a discussion at the previous meeting, DaH circulated an email to the Executive Committee proposing that the PPG be dissolved:
Following the discussion at the October meeting of the PPG, I have tabled a motion to dissolve the PPG, as per clause 8.2 of our Constitution, which says:
"8.2 Mechanism of dissolution:
The Group may be dissolved by a resolution passed at the AGM by a majority of at least two-thirds of the Members present. A motion of dissolution shall be submitted to the Secretary at least three weeks in advance of the AGM."I have not taken this step lightly, and I thought I should briefly explain my reasons in advance of the AGM, when the proposal will be put to a vote.
We learned at the October meeting that several members of the executive committee will be resigning from the group at the end of the year. This includes our Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. The loss of so many committee members will, in my view, bring into question the viability of the committee.
There was also the feeling, expressed by a number of committee members, that the group lacks a clear focus and that it is no longer accomplishing anything. Finally, it was suggested that Malling Health have not really put their stamp on the group, which was, after all, set up and given direction by their predecessors, the Acorn Surgery. It might be better to dissolve the group, as this would give Malling Health the freedom to review what they really want from a PPG and then re-create it in the new year.
I agree with both of those points, but I believe that the group has done a lot of good things in the past four years, including setting up the fantastically successful Health Walks (most of the credit here goes to Patricia Daniels, of course), helping to organise several very popular health awareness events and acting as the patients' voice during the transition from Acorn Surgery to Malling Health. I would prefer this to be how we remember our time as PPG committee members, and not to watch the group drift into apathy and then fall apart.
JD asked if any members wished to say anything on this matter.
GH said it was a very useful forum for feedback for patients. He felt patients would lose out in many ways. He made a suggestion of meetings being held every two months. A discussion took place around this.
AM mentioned the CQC, and that as a group we could provide feedback to them and had the ability to have a say in matters. A discussion took place around this. A suggestion was put forward to write to Malling Health giving the reasons why the group was dissatisfied. CS said he appreciated the efforts put in by FM. AM suggested possible Friends of the Maple Surgery being formed. LMS said the PPG was a good idea but in its present form it was faltering, with no purpose, and that it would be better for Malling Health to create their own PPG.
A lengthy discussion covering all of these points took place.
A proposal was put forward from DaH to dissolve the PPG according to section 8.2. This was seconded by CS.
A vote was taken on the group continuing but with bi-monthly meetings:
| For: | 2 |
| Against: | 10 |
A vote to dissolve the PPG was taken:
| For: | 8 |
| Against: | 2 |
| Abstained: | 1 |
JD said the PPG would be formerly dissolved after this meeting. JP was asked to let the surgery know of this decision and to let the church know that room would no longer be needed. The website would also need to be updated accordingly. This could remain active until October 2015 when the domain name registration expires. The Health Walks information would remain up-to-date.
Action: JP to inform Maple Surgery and Church Warden. LMS to update website.
JD expressed regret that it had come to this; he felt that the committee had worked well throughout its time and was sad to see it dissolve.
This year we held a very well supported Health Awareness event, Healthy Living, Healthier Life. We invited three very good speakers on a valuable subject. Some smaller groups had been invited to attend and provided information on health and fitness and nutrition. The nurse from the surgery, Elizabeth Edunsin (EE), had attended and encouraged people to have their blood pressure checked. It proved a worthwhile event and JD thanked everyone for helping.
The stall at the Bar Hill village fête was another event to publicise the PPG and Maple Surgery, and JD thanked JP for loaning the gazebo, table and chairs. He thanked everyone who came along to help, including EE from the surgery, again checking blood pressures. The amount of £14 raised from guessing the number of sweets in a jar would be given to the Community Picnic Bench fund.
JD personally thanked everyone for their time and effort in supporting the PPG, also to PD and JP for leading the Health Walks which continue to be a tremendous success.
JD also thanked LMS and DaH for keeping the website up to date and providing much useful information on it.
Action: DaH or LMS to send final report to Bar Hill News for inclusion in next newsletter.
There being no other business, JD thanked members for attending and the meeting closed at 7:15 p.m.
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