1.   Apologies. Tony Marsh and Kim Poskitt

2.   Review of the minutes of the meeting on 23.03.2023 and 25.04.23. These were accepted as accurate.

3.   Matters arising from the minutes of 23.03.23 and 25.04.23. None.

4.   Guidance for new and existing walk leaders. Dave Binnington prior to the meeting circulated a further draft of the proposed Doncaster Ramblers Guidance for Walk Leaders. This document was accepted by the committee and it was agreed it would be added to the Doncaster Ramblers website in the Walk Leaders Guidance tab; this action has been completed. It was agreed the new walk leaders should be mentored by an experienced walk leader for their first couple of walks. It was also agreed that inexperienced walkers would not be pressurised into leading walks before they were ready. The committee discussed the recent announced review of walk safety by Ramblers central office and its implications for walk leaders etc., which may require the DR guidelines to be amended. Ramblers have commissioned a report from a safety expert in adventure activity which will form the basis of a systems revision so that Ramblers complies with its legal obligations and duty of care to its members and walkers. This review is programmed to be implemented by the start of 2024 and may change the need for risk assessment as it will focus on the competency of walk leaders.

5.   Claims for travelling and other expenses. DB advised that he believed the expenses form on Assemble is not adequate as it is the Ramblers form for general expenses. It was agreed the DB would produce a new form which would be approved for use by Doncaster Ramblers. Once this form is approved it will be downloaded onto the DR website and DG will post an approved notice on the home page. Since the meeting this action has been completed and the notice and expense have been uploaded to the DR website.

6.   Financial report. Given by David Horne. David reported that the finances since the last meeting have been skewed by the payments for the Whitby Coach trip which are being paid by BACS to the DR account. Current balance is £2582.65 which includes £760 of Whitby monies which is due to be paid to the coach company one week before the trip. We have received income of £80 from Ramblers Holidays. Expenditure of £22.50 by annual direct debit to The Peak and Northern Footpath Society and £44 for hall rental for the meetings have been made.

7.   Walks programme.

8.   Membership. Brian Milne reported that membership is stable at 231. In the last 3 months we have had 7 new members and 11 who have not renewed their membership.

9.   Publicity. See report below presented by Peter Rowsell. Peter explained he shared the Facebook posts with 27 other Facebook groups around the Doncaster Area. It was suggested we could add the next three walks on the programme to the DR Facebook page. AG suggested that we try to get publications to include the next 8 walks in the programme in their articles, as this had been done previously in the Arrow. PR to look at this but advised that print publications were under financial pressure and often reducing the page size of their publications thus limiting our scope for including information. PR has been approached by Askern Town Council to ask if we provide an advertising stall at their family sports day in August. Little success has been had with stalls in the past so DG proposed we run a short walk on the day, he was happy to organise this and AG assist. PR to put this proposal to Askern Town Council. Subsequent to the meeting Askern Town Council advised they did not want participants leaving the sports day and therefore DR politely declined their kind offer to take part. PR requested a partner help with his role as he is currently not mobile and cannot attend networking meetings etc. After the meeting Neil Thornton was approached and he agreed to partner with Peter. They were to meet on Wednesday 19.07.23 and agree what assistance Neil could offer Peter. DG raised the low profile of the footpath maintenance work we do for Doncaster City Council and the need to raise it. It was agreed we would include the photographs taken during the monthly maintenance work as an album in the photo tab rather than being hidden away in the volunteer section. This has been actioned for the last maintenance session.

10. Rights of Way and maintenance. See report below provided by Tony Marsh. Peter Smith and Stuart Twell are taking a leading role in managing the maintenance sessions providing Tony Marsh with valuable support.

11.  Any other business.