Officers' Reports
The JCR Officers gave their reports to the meetings about their achievements over the past term.
A vote was taken, and it was agreed to begin the meeting as a JCR Meeting - as only 47 members were present.
Purchasing a TV and Video (Ben Wilson)
Ben explained that we currently spend about £600 per year hiring the TV and Video for the Common Room. We could save considerable amounts of money by purchasing our own. Ben has calculated that we will save money in 2-3 years on this scheme provided no-one breaks the TV too much - as well as getting better equipment.
- What if the TV gets broken?
Although we will be responsible for repairs, we'll take out insurance on the TV and use the warranty to limit our losses.
- How much will the insurance be?
A few hundred pounds.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 55 votes. Against: 0 votes. Abstentions: 0 votes.
Relocating the Gym (George Dunnett and Helen Baker)
George and Helen explained that the Gym has good quality, working equipment which does not fit into it's current location (L Staircase Basement). The proposed new Sports Complex is still several years away - so an interim solution is required. This motion will be taken to College, if passed, to put pressure on them to give us a new room.
- Where else could the Gym go?
One possible location wuold be P Staircase Cellar, opposite the JCR Office.
- When can this be done?
Soon - hopefully before Febuary when this Exec's term finishes.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 54 votes. Against: 0 votes. Abstentions: 1 votes.
Charity Charge (Nina Morris)
Nina explained that her motion would consist of an Opt-Out scheme whereby all JCR members not opting out would have a £3 charge added to their College Bill each term. This money would then be donated to Charities once a year. All members contributing to this fund would be eligable to vote on where the money would go. Most other Colleges already have such a scheme in place.
- Could the money be donated to Downing?
No - the money would have to go to a Registered Charity outside of the College.
- Shouldn't Charity be about giving money when you want to give - i.e. a more personal gesture than this?
Possibly - although most poeple who care strongly about an issure will make donations to it independantly of this scheme anyway.
- Shouldn't the scheme be Opt-In?
No - it's a lot easier to organise if it's Opt-Out. Plus, most poeple don't mind making a donation, but wouldn't be prepared to make the effort required to Opt-In.
- What kind of causes will the money go to?
At the moment, I have Rag, Cambridge Aids Action, and others that have been supported by Downing in the past.
- Doesn't is make more sense to decide where the money will go before we all give?
No - that wouldn't allow us to respond to things that haven't happened yet. Many of the most needy situations arise very quickly.
- How will people Opt-Out? Wouldn't say, a list int he P'lodge be too embarassing, so no-one would?
We'll run the system using notes in my P'hole or by E-Mail.
- Is the donation's cause up to the individual or the majority?
Up to the Majority - but the money will be split in proportion to the votes received.
Nina was asked to summarise the motion.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 37 votes. Against: 5 votes. Abstentions: 3 votes.
Ban Smoking in the Sandwich Bar (Catherine Rea)
Catherine pointed out that as a matter of Higene, smoking should not be allowed where food is being prepared. As this is an Open Plan Kitchen, whilst it is open smoking should be banned in the whole bar. A Large number of people object to passive smoking whilst eating.
- When we agreed to the Sndwich Bar, we were assured that it would not impact on people's use of the building during the day - including Smoking. So why, now, are we reversing this?
Air conditioning was supposed to have been sorted out, but has not been. We need to make the best of what's here.
- Could we make designate an area for smoking?
No - the layout of the room makes this impossible.
- Isn't it too cruel to ban smokers from here? It's not like we wouldn't move outsidee, or even stop if someone asked us! What we need is to make the room open for everyone, and to do that everyone, smokers and non smokers, needs to be tolerant towards each other.
No Answer
- Isn't the Common Room non smoking already? Surely we need somewhere for smokers to go!
At the moment, there are no rules on the matter. People can smoke in the Common Room if they want to.
- Some people are alergic to Cigarette Smoke. This applies to about 1% of people - who will avoid this bar most of the time for that reason. It's not fair to people like that to prevent them using this bar.
No answer.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 35 votes. Against: 18 votes. Abstentions: 0 votes.
Tickets for Bicentenary Ball (Jim Moran)
Only 500 tickets were allocated to Students at the cheaper rate. A total of 1000 tickets are available in total. Demand by students for the tickets is so high that we'd like a reiew of the ticket allocation system. Since the Ball has taken the place of the June Event this year, there is no end-of-year event for all members of Downing to attend. We would like everyone in College who wishes to go to be allowed to go.
- What can be done about the allocation scheme?
Either allocate more tickets in total (need to speak to the Fire Service), or allocate more tickets to Students, less to Old Members. Alternatively, non-dining tickets could be issued.
- Where will these subsidised tickets come from - ie who will pay for them?
College.
- Should we make the last tickets issued singles only?
Yes - we'll do that.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 57 votes. Against: 0 votes. Abstentions: 1 votes.
With over 60 people present, the meeting discussed DCAC motions
Budget (Ben Wilson)
Ben summarised this years budget. The budget is compiled by the JCR Treasurer, Finance Committee, and Senior Treasurer. The only significant changes from last year's budget are that the Christian Union get no money as they're not affiliated. No money has been allocated to Clubs for weekend excursions, as we can't afford to do so as our funds are being cut. Football have been allocated more money as they have 2 extra teams. Rugby have been allocated more money to cover the increased cost of Insurance.
Ben Explained that many of the items on the Budget are fixed by external factors, eg rent, electricity, gas, cost of maintenace, etc.
- How much money do the Boat Club get?
The Boat Club are allocated 15% of the depreciation fund, which is 15% of the total budget. The Boat Club therefore get about £1700 per year. They also get a BoatMan to repair boats and keep the place in good condition. However, this isn't really enough - most boaties have to pay a fair amount in order to row.
- What about the Tennis Club. We've been allocated £100 - we need at least £300 to maintain the grounds. Are these the final figures?
No - these aren't final - and if you need more money you can apply.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 58 votes. Against: 0 votes. Abstentions: 5 votes.
The Budget was therefore passed. Full details of the Budget will be available on this website soon.
Affiliation of Yoga Society (Angela Morris)
Angela explained that the reason for affiliation was so that money could be applied for in the future if required. The Yoga Society has been funded by College this year, however they are making no more money available for this.
- Aren't we giving JCR Money instead of College Money to the Yoga Society?
No - no more money is available from College
- How much does Yoga cost?
£1.50 per session at the moment, subject to review.
- You didn't have any money in this budget?
No - this year has been funded by College.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 64 votes. Against: 0 votes. Abstentions: 1 votes.
Affiliation of Ents (Chris Littlewood)
Chris was amazed that Ents isn't already affiliated. There is an urgent need for new equipment - much of which is 5 years old or more, and badly needs replacing. With the new equipment, the quality of the Bops should improve enormously.
- If it's a DCAC Society, will the MCR still have to pay a deposit to use the equipment?
Yes - as the new equipment will be much more expensive than the old stuff. The deposit is simply to cover for damage inflicted.
- Are we getting insurance against accidental damage?
Acording to our budget allocation, yes.
A vote was taken on the motion.
For: 64 votes. Against: 1 votes. Abstentions: 0 votes.
The Chair was passed to Jarv Ashford for part of the next motion.
Room Rents (George Dunnett and Dave Riley)
George explained that there were, as he saw it, two opposing motions. His motion, which stated that no motion would be agreed to without the backing of an Open Meeting. If no agreement was reached, an Open Meeting would be called to discuss a rent strike. We would agree to rises of RPI + 2.5% over the next 3 years provided College could demonstrate that they were making efficiencies of RPI - 2.5%. Over the duration of this agreemen, College would save the same amount of money as under the current ssytem of 5% + Inflation pa.
George explained that the Bursar's proposal uses some obscure measures of inflation, some of whicht he Bank of England haven't heard of, but boils down to rises of about 9.5% per year.
Dave Riley's proposal states that we should have an inflation only rent rise, as we are already above the figures suggested by CUSU for what Cambridge rents should be. No agreement would be reached withoug the approval of an Open Meeting. CUSU have suggested average rents of £42.86pw with no KFC. We should ask College to fully explain how they calculate our rents, and justify them. Other costs, eg gardening, should not be taken from the rent budget. Overall, College should have to jutify any rents over £42.86pw, and our current average including KFC is £59.00pw.
George explaine dthat the reason the Bursar's proposal hadn't been seen until now was that her proposal was given to us on Thursday, and we haven't had time to distribute it properly.
George then explained that he didn't feel the College would accept an inflation only rise - they would accuse us of being unreasonable, and adopt the Bursar's plan instead. College simply cannot afford not to increase our rents.
- What about theis talk of Rent Strikes?
Rent strikes will be a useful threat to have in reserve in case College behave unreasonably when negotiating rents.
- Will people go on Strike?
Up to them, but if they do they will have full backing from us and from CUSU.
- What will College's reaction to a rent strike be?
To ignore us, and become difficult towards us when trying to implement any new measures around College.
- What are people's personal liabilities if they go on strike?
Depends on the numbers involved. If only a few go on strike, College can act. If large numbers go on strike, they can't kick everyone out!
- Does this motion mandate us to go on rent strike?
No - it simply supports our calling one if we need to at a later date. If College are unreasonable with us, we'll call one in an Open Meeting.
- The only difference between the motions seems to be the amount requested. Shouldn't we haggle for the best position we can get?
No - if we ask for inflation only, College will accuse us of being unreasonable, and support the Bursar's plan for rent rises.
- What happens if we pass both motions?
Dave Riley explained that his motion is only saying we should aim for inflation only - therefore the motions can both be passed.
Jarv Explained that the real issue here was about rent subsidies. It is illegal to subsidise Student Rents from other sources. CUSU are claiming that there is no subsidy on Student Rents. College claim that there is. We haven't received the full accounts yet, despite repeatedly asking for them. When we do, we'll make that judgement for ourselves, and then decide what to do.
- Why 2.5%????
Currently, rents go up by 5% per year above inflation. This is to narrow and eliminate the gap between rent revenue and expenditure. This fugure splits the burden from being entirely on the Students to being jointly on the Students and Fellows.
Dave explained that since rents had gone up by 5% per year above inflation for over 7 years, Students have done enough to ease College's financial troubles.
- Should the JCR call a rent strike? Surely the Exec need to be the people negotiating with College! If we call a rent strike, we loose our negotiating position. Surely we should amend the motions to say we will call an Open Meeting to apoint a Rent Strike Committee if the College behave unreasonably?
This amendment was passed. Both motions now support the calling of an Open Meeting to apoint a Rent Strike Committee should College behave unreasonably during rent negotiations.
- How do we know College will make savings?
We will sign a contract with College. If they cannot demonstrate to us that they have made savings, then we rents will not go up.
- Does your proposal include the KFC?
No - the KFC is already too high, and it is University policy that the KFCs will be brought into line across the University. I doubt the KFC could go up.
- What will the rent be in 3 years time?
Total rent income now is £605,000 which gives an average rent of £48.07 per person per week. Under our George's proposal, rent will go up to £54.47 per week. Under the Bursar's proposal, rent will be £63.76 per week
- Is there a ceiling on how much rent will go up to?
No -we're not going to haggle with the College. Since our previous rent rises have all been 5% above inflation, we will aim to get less than that. More would certainly be unacceptable.
- We seem to have two points of view to take - reasonable or extreme. A few years ago, the JCR tried a reasonable point of view and got ignored. Surely we should now take an extreme point of view and haggle.?
The MCR this year have already threatened to go on rent strike, and College's attitude has improved as a result. The JCR will go on rent strike if College behave unreasonably towards us.
- Do we have any plans for access funds?
Yes - we'll be trying to get these increased. There's an extra £60,000 for the Newton Trust this year. Access funds weren't included in Dave Riley's proposal to keep it simple.
- Since College haven't kept to their previous agreement (to increase rent by 5% above inflation per year) why should we beleive they will keep to this one?
College have interpreted their agreement differently. They've increased rents by 5% + Inf per year for each band - however renovations have moved rooms up bands, so the overall average has gone up by more than 5% above inflation. The new agreement takes only the overlall average into account - so if renovations improve ooms for conferences, this can't be translated into a greater rent for students.
- So we won't pay if College convert more rooms to En-Suite?
No -the average rent can only go up by 2.5% above inflation per year.
- Who pays for renovations?
Fund raising by College, and the maintenace budget.
George and Dave then summarised their motions.
A vote was taken on the motion.
George's proposal: For: 61 votes. Against: 0 votes. Abstentions: 7 votes.
Dave's proposal: For: 25 votes. Against: 17 votes. Abstentions: 22 votes.