LEE ANGLERS' CONSORTIUM

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Association held at the Cheshunt Golf Club, Park Lane, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on Saturday 25th October 2008.


  1. Those present
    R Oliver (Edmonton & Tottenham AS), S Cornell (Chingford AS), D Fussell, D Bridgeman (Ware AC), D Howell , S Parker, R Clindon (Kings Arms & Cheshunt AS), A Mundas (Verulam AS Ltd), C Bite (Hertford AC ), B Keens & Mrs Keens (Enfield Highway WMC AS), D Knight, M Shepherd, P Harvey (Rural AS, L.Pullen (Warwick AS), H Lerner (Palmers Green AS), M.Galloni (Lychnobite AS), J Fowler (LAC), M.Phipps (LAC).

  2. Apologies for absence were received from

    J Woods (LAC) and F French MBE,FIFM.(President).

  3. Introduction

    C.Bite chaired the meeting in the absence of the Chairman, A Wilson. The secretary (D Meadhurst) apologised for not calling regular meetings. In the first instance the delay resulted from the inability to convene a joint LVACA and LAC meeting on the same day. Secondly, since the loss of the Rifles PH there has been no obvious meeting place.

  4. Minutes of the previous AGM held on 23rd February 2006 were taken as read.

  5. Chairman's Report
    There was no report

  6. Accounts for 2007/8
    The Accountant ( D.Meadhurst) gave a report on the financial position for the year ended 31st December 2007. At that time the Consortium resources were £20,634 which included a surplus for the year of £1098 compared with a budgeted deficit of £4810. The difference was better than expected support from member clubs and day ticket sales achieved by the new 'north; bailiff, Martin Phipps. Denis Cavanagh covers the north end on weekends and also acts as back up for Tom Rowley. For the current year where a deficit was expected good support has been received from member clubs but day ticket income has slumped in correlation with the poor fishing along the length of the Navigation. He explained that it would only take one or two years of poor income streams and the revenue balances would soon be wiped out. The Treasurer's report was proposed by Chingford AS and seconded by Ware AC

    Secretary's Report
    The secretary re-emphasized the difficult job our bailiffs are having to spend all day with very few anglers on the bank, confronting illegal fishing and being the first contact point of our members bemoaning the ever deterioration of our fishing in recent years. There has been little that our officers can do. The secretary then gave a brief report on some of the ongoing issues:- Overhead Power Cables issues should be sorted early in 2009 with new signs and warnings on tickets and basically this will mean that between Enfield Lock and the Lee Park Way Bridge, there will be three different designated fishing areas, namely, No Fishing, 8m pole restrictions and No restrictions; OAP/Disabled anglers match was held in August with a very good attendance but apart from the top weight the fishing was very poor; fish theft signs received from BW -Tom still to put up; illegal fishing from The Navigtion PH garden – secretary in correspondence with manager and subsequently head office; illegal fishing there have been frequent patrols by EA officers with significant number of offence tickets issued; pollution by sewage and oil slicks from Stonebridge and Hackney were reported and investigated by the EA but without success of establishing the originator; increasing number ot towpath moorings some unfortunately provided by BW and some by boaters overstaying their time limit has limited fishing in the more accessible areas where fish often shoal up – some boats reported by the LAC have been moved on; crayfish trappings on the Navigation have ceased but survey trappings as part of the FAP continues on a monthly basis; BW works a list is usually sent by our Liaison Officer – the most recent list relating to the Lee and Stort will be attached to these minutes; cyclists on towpath BW will introduce their 'two tings' policy to the Lee. The secretary has already informed BW that the existing code of conduct is being abused and expects no improvement with the 'new code'. BW have appointed a cycling ranger to cover London and the Lee. The secretary has invited him down on a busy Sunday when the weather is forecast good and therefore anglers, walkers and cyclists numbers are at there highest. In the meantime the Ranger has been urged to circulate BW's new policy and code of conduct to cyclists using the Lee towpath; Towpath improvements have been carried out without prior consultation with the LAC as a result it is impossible to use a box with footplate (essential for good back support) without having part of the box on the new path which cyclists seem to think is all for them. The secretary has commented and was, at least, promised that the bank at the extreme waters edge, where there is no path, would be made level for anglers to balance the box/seat safely; Olympic site the secretary attended a site visit followed by a 'legacy' meeting. Despite frequent submission of comments about angling legacy the London Development Agency's Legacy Consultation Officer had no plans for such. The secretary should now be part of the consultation. He also left contact points for Thames 21 and requested the LDA listen seriously to any input from the EA
    Lastly the secretary stated there was little he or the LAC could personally do to improve the fishing on the navigation. It is hoped that the FAP's work will show why the Lee is falling away as a viable fishery.

    The secretary's report was proposed by EHWMC AS and seconded by Rural AS

  7. Election of Officers
    The meeting was reminded that under the LAC's constitution the Secretary and Accountant, D.Meadhurst is a contracted advisor and does not hold an office or have any voting rights.
    Chairman A.Wilson Proposed Warwick AS seconded Ware AC
    Treasurer S.Parker
    Trustee & Committee C.Bite

    Committee L.Pullen The above three posts were elected en bloc
    Trustee & Committee No nomination left vacant

    Committee R.Oliver and D.Knight Proposed by Kings Arms & CAS seconded by Warwick AS
    It was agreed by the meeting that the secretary would write to Mr R.Edwards concerning his position as Trustee and Committee member.

    (Subsequent to the meeting R.Edwards resigned as Trustee and a letter of thanks for his services will be sent instead).

  8. Propositions for change of rule.

    There were no propositions.

  9. Other Business
    A question was raised about weed at Enfield. However, this related to the Lee Diversion which is no longer held by the LAC.
    The EA agreed to establish whether there would be any detriment to the Lee's water resources/flow as a result of the development of the Olympic white water course on the Showground site off Highbridge Street Waltham Crosss.

    Meeting closed at 11.30 a.m.



    Signed............................................... Date:...................................





    On conclusion of the meeting and the Lee Anglers' Consortium AGM the meeting continued as a Lee Fishery Action Plan open day.

  10. John Ellis (Thames Fishery Consultative Council) reported on the latest position with regards to 'Angling Unity'. With effect from 5th January 2009 NAFAC, ACA, NFA, NFSA and the SAA will become one body. The new body will consist of two entities : the 'Angling Trust' , which will be the governing body for coarse, game and sea angling in England, and an unincorporated association 'Fish Legal' which will deliver throughout the UK, the legal protection and advice currently provided by the ACA. At local level it is hoped we will play a part by retaining membership, recruitment and playing an active part in the consultative network which is imperative for the Lee Valley.

  11. Theo Thomas and Vicky D'Souza (Thames 21) gave a presentation on the work of their organisation as it affects the Lee and Vicky explained her appointment as FAP Development Coordinator and how she planned to assist the work on angling and fisheries in the Lee Valley working with the Lee FAP stakeholder group.

  12. Jim Seymour(EA) gave an overview of the FAP projects completed and in progress. These included Old River Lea (WAAC), Essex Wharf fish refuge, weir and deflector work on R.Rib and Ash, Finsbury Park lake, Hartham Weir Hertford R.Lea, Cheshunt Reservoir north, Amwell Magna, Lea barbel survey, Crayfish survey and Enfield refuges, Zander study, Lee FAP Development Coordinator appointment.
    A brief report on future projects was given which will be monitored at future FAP stakeholder meetings.

  13. Richard Tyner (EA) reviewed the Lee Valley FAP Themes and Issues which were the result of many meetings since the plan began in 2003. The meeting was asked to briefly comment on any additional issues thay have arisen since the production of the FAP document. Several matters were raised which will now be tabled at the next FAP meeting. Arising from this review the Stort valley representatives were invited to put forward at Stort Valley stakeholder to attend the regular meetings.

  14. The day concluded at 15.00 p.m. and the meeting gave their appreciation to the EA officers for hosting the the LVACA/LAC business and the FAP review.




    D.Meadhurst 29    th October 2008