Good evening, everyone and thank you for attending this evening and/or reading this note in the minutes.  

As you will hopefully have noticed we now have a brand new and updated website since the new committee took over and this goes with our different method of ensuring that we communicate accurately and efficiently with the residents of Harefield. 

To that end we would like to keep you up to date on developments with our councillors and the London Borough of Hillingdon. 

Originally we set out our new approach in engaging with these key stakeholders by copying the councillors into the minutes and requesting their assistance on certain highlighted matters. 

This threw up an ongoing issue with the councillors and the council which we eventually met to deal with on the 11th October in the Church hall. 

In attendance were 5 members of the HTRA committee (Gerard Barry, Paul Daniels, Gill Kent, Derek Kent & Tina Wane), the Revd Martin Davis, the two Councillors Martin Goddard (South Harefield) and Jane Palmer (Village) and the Head of Housing for the Council Sam Strong. 

Cllr Goddard opened the meeting by addressing the central theme and that being of the Constitution and the perception by the council that it actually precluded the election of myself as the Chair. 

In advance of the principal reason Cllr Goddard raised some further concerns that the Cllrs and the Council had with the new HTRA committee. These being: 

A Single Issue Committee – it was put to us that the HTRA was deemed as being intent only on focusing on the Widewater Place. – We explained that this was not the case and our minutes bore testimony to this fact. We provided further information on the emergence of a sub-committee who were to be tasked with the Widewater Place specifically. 

Our Longer Term Commitment – following on from the above was a question about our commitment to the village. – We, of course were at great pains to point out that we were volunteers and kept the HTRA alive through our actions in arranging the AGM, establishing the regular meetings, setting out our vision and highlighting the actions we had taken thus far. 

Apolitical – It was noted in our minutes that members of Reform had attended meetings and the Cllr was keen to determine our political persuasions. – We pointed out that if someone wanted to attend our meetings, then they were very welcome to do so and that invitation was always conveyed to the councillors and the MPs. I was asked if I was a member of Reform, which I am not. 

Bank Account – following a report or suggestion from an unidentified other we were asked about our bank accounts, who was a signatory and who had been removed as a signatory. We took this opportunity to point out that all of our banking matters were proper and above board and that in fact we just had to pay for the second website in two years due to the manner in how the previous website had been lost. 

The Major Issue – the HTRA constitution as it stood was deemed ‘in breach’ by Mr Sam Strong of the Council but he was unable to specifically identify the ‘breach’ despite the many times that the HTRA had asked for clarity in this matter. Cllr Jane Palmer agreed with the HTRA committee that this should have been written up and provided in advance. She suggested that the Council should provide this in writing within 7 days. 

The main issue that the Council have with the HTRA is that I was invited to stand as Chairman and was voted on. The Council recommend that I should stand down and that I could stand again at some point in the future. 

Expressions such as ‘the council cannot let it stand that the constitution was in breach’, that ‘they viewed it as non-negotiable’ etc but they were unable to identify the specific breach but instead focused on the word ‘may’ and its meaning. 

The Cllrs did agree that the Council must provide a written statement detailing their issue and we on the Committee will circulate the statement and invite the Village to vote on the matter of whether I should stand down or not. 

From my perspective I am not prepared to resign just because the Council and Cllr Goddard ask for it but if the village vote that I should then I will stand down. 

The Council must set out its case in writing and we have the right to reply and then to vote on the matter. 

As I cannot be present this evening for personal reasons this statement will be read out and entered into the minutes and I look forward to a robust conversation at the next HTRA meeting to decide on the outcome. 

Regards 

Gerard Barry 

 A SGM will be called on 11th November at the monthly meetings to vote on the matter of whether the people of Harefield want GB to remain or resign as chair of the HTRA,- Action PD