Committee Meeting 1 May 2023

Minutes

Attendees: AC, KP, CR, JR, NT

Apologies: EG, DH, DT

Open actions from previous meetings

  1. PLI (Public Liability Insurance) issues
  • The current PLI is provided through the FAS (Federation of Astronomical Societies) at a very reasonable rate but there are concerns that it does not totally protect the officers of the society from liability. It is hoped that SAGAS will recommend officer, members and possibly building cover be included in the FAS PLI policy.

Action: The society plans to renew the current PLI supplied by FAS – Complete

Action: Awaiting decision on whether FAS will adopt the SAGAS recommendation of including officers, members and buildings in the PLI policy.

Action: Will ACC  or FAS PLI be actioned? – JR

The circumstances giving rise to a claim against either the ACC’s or our cover will turn on the nature of the underlying event and whether there is an identifiable responsible party. – Complete.

  1. Restart Observing Sessions – DT
  • Forestry commission has requested that we have PLI cover of at least £10m but with no upper limit. This makes using AH inadvisable.

Action: Still looking for alternatives to Alice Holt such as Aldershot Park, Hogmoor  enclosure Borden, Frensham Great Pond, etc. – NT

  1. Proposal to purchase 4G router to allow speakers to give talks via Zoom – KP

Action: Run trial at May’s monthly meeting using AC’s router to ensure no issues with mobile data capacity at ACC  – KP

  1. Health and Safety
  • Various risk assessment forms have been standardised by JR.

Action: Version 2 of risk assessment form to be distributed – JR

5. Organise visits to Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceaux, etc. – AC

Action: Ask the members at the May monthly meeting and via the website for their views – AC

Any Other Business

6. Talks or tutorials for newbies – NT

Action: Suggestions for talks or tutorials aimed at members new to astronomy – ALL

7. Next meeting – 7th August  2023 at 20:00 via Zoom.