Protecting Otters in York Steering Group Meeting Minutes of the meeting of 17th April 2008, BTCV Office, 3 leake street, York. Present Liam O’Reilly – leg@riseup.net Kevin Rich – richkevin@gmail.com Rachel Midgley - midgeyrach@hotmail.com Charlotte Kerry – charlottemcenery@hotmail.com Andy Brown – andy.brown@btcv.org.uk 1)Volunteer time Time spent of the project by each volunteer was updated. 2) Current progress of applications Liam and Jane completed the EA water consent application which is about to be sent off, completing this will give us the correct permission to carry out the project. Alison has made a very good start to the stage 2 application, we expect this to be finished and edited by mid May. Action - Liam 3) Angling Club Kevin has contacted the New Earswick angling club, who are very supportive of our project. They said they would give us a supportive letter and we may set up a stall at their open day, either on the 14th June, 12th July, 16th August or 27th September. We also need to start collecting leaflets about otters so we can hand them out at such events. Action – Kevin & All. 4) Vcashpoint and CSV (Community service volunteers) Kevin looked at the Vcashpoint which we may be able to apply for, but it needs to be looked at in further detail. Charlotte conversed with Rachel Earnshaw about CSV funding and will look into it further. These grants should hopefully be used to secure funding for holts and survey training. However we will need to check with Paul Appleton before applying for any funding to make sure we aren’t stepping on anyone’s toes. Action – Liam & Charlotte 5) York University Conservation volunteers Charlotte has contacted Lena to talk about various details of the project, trying to drum up some interest. This includes a possible fundraising night with lecturers and students. Action - Charlotte 6) Otter Talk We need to start considering publicity for the otter talk, making posters and leaflets and putting them out, opening up facebook so others can join and having a point of contact. Action – Kevin (posters), Charlotte (posters and point of contact) and Jane (opening up facebook). 7) Letters of support There are several letters of support which need to be collected including Bob Missin, Jon Trail, Sessions, New Earswick Angling Club and other possibilities (Otter Trust, BTCV Volunteers, Yorkshire Mammal Trust). Action – Rachel, Kevin, Liam, Andy & Charlotte. 8) VoYEG Liam explained that the Vale of York Environment Group (VoYEG) is a local support group for the BTCV, which tries to raise funds and provide training, we are working under the VoYEG banner to get these grants. The next VoYEG meetings are on the 25th of April at 10.00am (followed by a guided walk by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust at Kiplincoates Nature Reserve). The AGM for VoYEG is on the 23rd of May at 10.00am, all are welcome. 9) Fish surveys Once again the idea of a fish survey came up, we may want to look into this. Action – All 10) Next Meeting The next meeting is on the 1st May at 10.30am.