AGM 2023
Lough Cumnel Group Water Scheme Co-operative Society Ltd.
Annual General Meeting
8:00pm, 1st June 2023
Killeen Community Centre
Draft minutes
Lough Cumnel Group Water Scheme Co-operative Society Ltd.
Annual General Meeting
8:00pm, 1st June 2023
Killeen Community Centre
Draft minutes
Present at AGM:
[redacted]
The chair, Sal O'Malley has sent her apologies and the meeting is chaired by the vice-chair Connie O'DriscollThe chair, Sal O'Malley has sent her apologies and the meeting is chaired by the vice-chair Connie O'Driscoll.
Minutes:
The secretary reads out the minutes of the previous meeting in 2022.
The minutes are proposed by Francis O'Malley. They are seconded by Majella Tiernan.
Audited Accounts:
The auditor's report is dealt with first to allow John O'Toole to leave early for another appointment.
John hands out an excerpt of the accounts and reports that the scheme is in healthy financial status. The main change to 2022 would be the status change of our maintenance person from a contractor to an employee.
The accounts are proposed by Francis and seconded by Michael.
Chairperson’s Address:
Connie reads Sal's chairperson address. She welcomes Deirdre O'Neill from the NFGWS. Louise has resigned from her role as a co-manager. Egbert has taken the role of secretary and continues to maintain the website. Michael has stepped down from his role as secretary. Majella has taken responsibility of the accounts.
In summary, the report states that the scheme is in great condition.
Managers’ Report:
Louise presents the following managers' report:
Over the summer of 2022, we hired a company to investigate the viability (physically and financially) of alternative methods of powering our water treatment plant, e.g. hydro-electric turbines within our raw water pipes, solar panels and wind turbines. This feasibility study was funded by our local Leader office (90% funded). The findings of this study showed that solar PV was the number one option for us at this point. Since then we have been working on sourcing funding for this project from SEAI. Unfortunately their criteria for community solar projects such as this has changed this year, so we explored other options. One of which was to partner with our DBO contractor (Glan Agua) but that route is no longer available, so our investigations continue.
In 2020 we submitted an application to the Mayo CoCo for a grant aid for capital works to upgrade and improve our network, as part of the 2022-2024 Multi Annual Rural Water Programme. Unfortunately the framework for that programme is still not finalised but we are assured its publication is imminent. However, it will still be several months before any funds would be made available for group water schemes under this programme.
During 2022, we carried out a scouring programme on part of our network (cleaning our small sections of pipe at a time) – that will be resumed in the coming months. It takes some time to carry out, as it requires a large quantity of water to flush out each section of pipe. Every time a repair or maintenance is carried out, a large section of pipe in that area and beyond is flushed, so this does take place in areas throughout the year anyhow.
Throughout the year but particularly during the beautiful sunny weather that we’ve been experiencing these couple of weeks, we see that our water supply is precious and needs to be protected. We have been busy in the last year working to reduce our daily water consumption – particularly in reducing any wastage through leaks. We have been successful on that but would encourage all our members to install a simple rain-water harvesting system to reduce dependency on the scheme’s water supply for using in the garden. We would also ask all members to be conscious of their water usage during this dry spell.
We’ve kept on top of leaks this year, thanks to our waterflow logging systems throughout the network and the continued hard work and vigilance of Austin Francis and Patrick (our maintenance guy).
Lastly – I will be leaving my position as joint manager with Killeen GWS in July. I greatly appreciate the opportunity Killeen GWS provided me with, and I have genuinely enjoyed the six years I spent working here. It has been a privilege to work alongside my fellow staff members (Francis, Patrick and Johnny) and the whole board of management.
During my last weeks with Killeen GWS, I intend to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition for my replacement. I sincerely wish Killeen GWS continued growth and success in the years to come.
Election of Members:
Under the rules of the scheme Sal O'Malley and Séamus O'Malley resigned from the board. There is a proposal to re-elect them by Francis and it is seconded by Michael.
Patricia Needham is a candidate for the board. Majella proposes her election and Francis seconds it.
Water Charges:
Egbert proposes to keep the water charges at their current level. Connie seconds.
A.O.B.
Francis proposes to retain O'Sullivan as auditors. Seconded by Connie.
Deirdre hints at the possibility that the approval of the multi-annual water funding scheme might be imminent.
It is emphasised that management and board are available for help and advice on water savings.
Francis praises Louise's contribution to the water scheme and thanks her for her work and cooperation during her time with KGWS.
The vice-chair closes the meeting at 21:11.
[redacted]
The chair, Sal O'Malley has sent her apologies and the meeting is chaired by the vice-chair Connie O'DriscollThe chair, Sal O'Malley has sent her apologies and the meeting is chaired by the vice-chair Connie O'Driscoll.
Minutes:
The secretary reads out the minutes of the previous meeting in 2022.
The minutes are proposed by Francis O'Malley. They are seconded by Majella Tiernan.
Audited Accounts:
The auditor's report is dealt with first to allow John O'Toole to leave early for another appointment.
John hands out an excerpt of the accounts and reports that the scheme is in healthy financial status. The main change to 2022 would be the status change of our maintenance person from a contractor to an employee.
The accounts are proposed by Francis and seconded by Michael.
Chairperson’s Address:
Connie reads Sal's chairperson address. She welcomes Deirdre O'Neill from the NFGWS. Louise has resigned from her role as a co-manager. Egbert has taken the role of secretary and continues to maintain the website. Michael has stepped down from his role as secretary. Majella has taken responsibility of the accounts.
In summary, the report states that the scheme is in great condition.
Managers’ Report:
Louise presents the following managers' report:
Over the summer of 2022, we hired a company to investigate the viability (physically and financially) of alternative methods of powering our water treatment plant, e.g. hydro-electric turbines within our raw water pipes, solar panels and wind turbines. This feasibility study was funded by our local Leader office (90% funded). The findings of this study showed that solar PV was the number one option for us at this point. Since then we have been working on sourcing funding for this project from SEAI. Unfortunately their criteria for community solar projects such as this has changed this year, so we explored other options. One of which was to partner with our DBO contractor (Glan Agua) but that route is no longer available, so our investigations continue.
In 2020 we submitted an application to the Mayo CoCo for a grant aid for capital works to upgrade and improve our network, as part of the 2022-2024 Multi Annual Rural Water Programme. Unfortunately the framework for that programme is still not finalised but we are assured its publication is imminent. However, it will still be several months before any funds would be made available for group water schemes under this programme.
During 2022, we carried out a scouring programme on part of our network (cleaning our small sections of pipe at a time) – that will be resumed in the coming months. It takes some time to carry out, as it requires a large quantity of water to flush out each section of pipe. Every time a repair or maintenance is carried out, a large section of pipe in that area and beyond is flushed, so this does take place in areas throughout the year anyhow.
Throughout the year but particularly during the beautiful sunny weather that we’ve been experiencing these couple of weeks, we see that our water supply is precious and needs to be protected. We have been busy in the last year working to reduce our daily water consumption – particularly in reducing any wastage through leaks. We have been successful on that but would encourage all our members to install a simple rain-water harvesting system to reduce dependency on the scheme’s water supply for using in the garden. We would also ask all members to be conscious of their water usage during this dry spell.
We’ve kept on top of leaks this year, thanks to our waterflow logging systems throughout the network and the continued hard work and vigilance of Austin Francis and Patrick (our maintenance guy).
Lastly – I will be leaving my position as joint manager with Killeen GWS in July. I greatly appreciate the opportunity Killeen GWS provided me with, and I have genuinely enjoyed the six years I spent working here. It has been a privilege to work alongside my fellow staff members (Francis, Patrick and Johnny) and the whole board of management.
During my last weeks with Killeen GWS, I intend to do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition for my replacement. I sincerely wish Killeen GWS continued growth and success in the years to come.
Election of Members:
Under the rules of the scheme Sal O'Malley and Séamus O'Malley resigned from the board. There is a proposal to re-elect them by Francis and it is seconded by Michael.
Patricia Needham is a candidate for the board. Majella proposes her election and Francis seconds it.
Water Charges:
Egbert proposes to keep the water charges at their current level. Connie seconds.
A.O.B.
Francis proposes to retain O'Sullivan as auditors. Seconded by Connie.
Deirdre hints at the possibility that the approval of the multi-annual water funding scheme might be imminent.
It is emphasised that management and board are available for help and advice on water savings.
Francis praises Louise's contribution to the water scheme and thanks her for her work and cooperation during her time with KGWS.
The vice-chair closes the meeting at 21:11.