Memo 2/2009 - Report of AGM and Conference
17 August 2009
REPORT OF AGM AND ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2009
The Fellowship’s AGM and Annual Conference were held at the Royal Court Hotel, Keresley, Coventry, from 5 to 6 August 2009
Representatives of fifty-five Branches attended this year’s Council against fifty-nine in 2008. Individuals eligible to vote on AGM and Conference business and present at the start of the meeting totalled sixty-seven. Katrina Williams, Chairman, chaired the meeting. She opened the proceedings at 9:00am on Thursday 6 August by welcoming the Members of the Board of Directors, Branch Observers and guests. She especially welcomed Mr Dusty Amroliwala OBE, Director Civil Service Workforce, Civil Service Capability Group, of the Cabinet Office, who had agreed to talk to members about the recent Cabinet Office review of funding of Civil Service Welfare Bodies, namely the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, the Civil Service Sports Council and the Fellowship.
Dusty introduced himself by mentioning that he came to the Civil Service a few years ago after a career in the Royal Air Force and that he was a Life Vice-President of the Royal Air Force Association. He told the meeting that the Steering Group who had prepared the review report would be having their final meeting on 7 August before passing the report to Sir Gus O’Donnell. The grants-in-aid to the three bodies reviewed totalled about £2.1 million (of which the Fellowship receives £264,505) out of its annual budget, which was expected to be reduced by about £2 million a year over the next few years.
Dusty told the meeting that the three of the recommendations in the report had been accepted, namely, that (a) grant-in-aid funding should continue “in the medium term” (which he took to be up to March 2012), (b) Cabinet Office and the Departments should work closely with the three bodies to improve awareness of the services they offered and (c) that a feasibility study on a possible merger of the Fellowship and the Fund should be carried out.
Following questions and comments from the floor, Dusty’s contention that the Fellowship received details of newly retired civil servants was refuted. A member pointed out that the value of the work of unpaid volunteers should be recognised. Another member made an emotional appeal that the Cabinet Office should recognise the large number of people who benefit from the Fellowship for a very small government contribution that had reduced considerably in real terms over the years who would be devastated if the Fellowship no longer existed. A member said that the nature and objectives of the Fellowship and the Fund were so different that a merger was neither practicable nor desirable. Dusty acknowledged that the Fund was not in favour of a merger. An appointed Director sought help in overcoming the obstacles that the Data Protection Act had created in preventing the Fellowship obtaining details of newly retired civil servants and Dusty undertook to take up the matter with the Data Commissioner. An elected Director wanted to remind Cabinet Office that when the Fellowship was founded the grant-in-aid was introduced specifically to cover the costs of the services provided being available to all beneficiaries whether or not they were subscribers. Dusty agreed to look into this apparent connection.
Winding up the discussions the Chairman said that change was inevitable and the Fellowship would be looking at ways to improve its viability even if the grant-in-aid were to be reduced or even discontinued. Dusty thanked the Fellowship for its co-operation in providing data for the Review Group and for the present useful exchange of views. He promised to come back next year with an update. The Chairman thanked Dusty for taking the time to attend the meeting and for his helpful presentation.
The Chairman then proposed that the AGM proper should now get under way. She then called on the Treasurer, Sandra Hines, to present the accounts.
Sandra went through the accounts with the help of slides on the screens and explained how additional funding for Groups had been made available through the Social Room Hire contribution scheme. She also elaborated on the consultations that had taken place with three firms of investment managers as a result of which it was decided to stay with Lloyds TSB Private Banking but with a different type of portfolio, one which involved fewer changes in individual shareholdings and lower management charges. The fall in value of the Fellowship’s investments was noted but it was hoped that markets would soon improve. The accounts were received without a vote.
Item 5 on the agenda, the proposal to re-appoint Hard Dowdy as the Fellowship’s auditors and authorise the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration, was passed unanimously on a show of hands. The AGM was then temporarily adjourned with the Chairman explaining that the reason for this procedure was that members of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors remain in office until the end of the AGM, at which point the directors elected in 2008 would retire and the directors elected for 2009-2010 would assume office.
(The meeting then took a short break for coffee.)
On resumption as the “Annual Conference” the Chairman advised that no action had been needed on the one Motion tabled at Annual Conference 2008.
The Motion to increase subscriptions for 2010 by between 25p and 50p per month was proposed by the Vice-Chairman, Alan Churchard, and seconded by Mike Smith of Lincolnshire Branch. After a short debate the resolution was passed by a majority of 47 votes to 9 on a show of hands.
The meeting then considered the “Motions” detailed in paper AC/09/2. The Motion tabled by the Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders Branch was moved by Trudy Thomas of the Branch and seconded by Bob Grant of Glasgow Branch. The Treasurer, Sandra Hines, explained the impracticability of giving effect to such a Motion and, after a short debate, it was rejected. The Motion tabled by the Cornwall Branch was moved by Jill Slade of the Branch and seconded by David Luney of Merseyside Branch. After discussions about how attempts to produce similar items in the past had led to funds being locked up in unsold stocks of goods the Motion was rejected.
The meeting then considered the “Matters of interest or concern”, also part of paper AC/09/2. Peter Bryant of Dorset Branch had handed out extracts from the Memorandum of Association , para 3, sub-para 3.1, “Objects “ and from the Model Constitution – Appendix 2 “Function” and then spoke at length about how the Fellowship was hindered in carrying out the actions covered by these extracts. The Matter raised by Cornwall Branch was introduced by Dr Bob Adams of East Devon Branch. It was pointed out that resources did not allow the arrangements suggested to be carried out or for such “Friends” to receive avanti magazine.
(The Annual Conference having been concluded the AGM then resumed.)
Regarding the Board of Directors, the Chairman noted that there were 9 nominees for the 9 elected Director positions so, in accordance with the Fellowship’s constitution, all nominees were deemed elected without the need for a vote. Those deemed elected were Karen Doku, Evelyn George, John Lloyd, David Luney, David Paddon, Frances Quail, Ann Rhodes, Leonard Sainsbury and Michael Sisk. On behalf of Fellowship members the Chairman welcomed the elected Directors, especially the newcomers, Karen Doku and David Luney. She also thanked the outgoing Directors, Ken Wimble and John Wright, who had decided not to stand again, for their past service to the Fellowship.
The Chairman then announced an extra item of business, namely the award of “Certificates of Appreciation” to the winners of the Ruby Anniversary competition for the best Branch Newsletters and certificates were awarded to:
Gold - Branch 21 Cleveland and North Yorkshire, Editor - Shiela Scott Anderson
Silver - Branch 22 South East London, Editor - Phyllis Duignan
Bronze – Branch 56 Bedfordshire, Editor - Patricia Waters
In moving a vote of thanks at the end of the proceedings, Chairman Katrina thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the meetings including Fellowship Office staff, the St John Ambulance representatives and the staff of the hotel.
THE CSRF’S 2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Katrina Williams (Chairman), Alan Churchard (Vice-Chairman), Sandra Hines (Treasurer), Russell Brown (National Whitley Council – Staff side nominee), Ray Flanigan (CSBF nominee), Karen Doku, Evelyn George, John Lloyd CB, David Luney, David Paddon, Frances Quail, Ann Rhodes, Leonard Sainsbury and Michael Sisk. There remains a vacancy for the National Whitley Council – Official Side nominee. Jean Cooper is Chief Executive and Company Secretary.
The Fellowship’s AGM and Annual Conference were held at the Royal Court Hotel, Keresley, Coventry, from 5 to 6 August 2009
Representatives of fifty-five Branches attended this year’s Council against fifty-nine in 2008. Individuals eligible to vote on AGM and Conference business and present at the start of the meeting totalled sixty-seven. Katrina Williams, Chairman, chaired the meeting. She opened the proceedings at 9:00am on Thursday 6 August by welcoming the Members of the Board of Directors, Branch Observers and guests. She especially welcomed Mr Dusty Amroliwala OBE, Director Civil Service Workforce, Civil Service Capability Group, of the Cabinet Office, who had agreed to talk to members about the recent Cabinet Office review of funding of Civil Service Welfare Bodies, namely the Civil Service Benevolent Fund, the Civil Service Sports Council and the Fellowship.
Dusty introduced himself by mentioning that he came to the Civil Service a few years ago after a career in the Royal Air Force and that he was a Life Vice-President of the Royal Air Force Association. He told the meeting that the Steering Group who had prepared the review report would be having their final meeting on 7 August before passing the report to Sir Gus O’Donnell. The grants-in-aid to the three bodies reviewed totalled about £2.1 million (of which the Fellowship receives £264,505) out of its annual budget, which was expected to be reduced by about £2 million a year over the next few years.
Dusty told the meeting that the three of the recommendations in the report had been accepted, namely, that (a) grant-in-aid funding should continue “in the medium term” (which he took to be up to March 2012), (b) Cabinet Office and the Departments should work closely with the three bodies to improve awareness of the services they offered and (c) that a feasibility study on a possible merger of the Fellowship and the Fund should be carried out.
Following questions and comments from the floor, Dusty’s contention that the Fellowship received details of newly retired civil servants was refuted. A member pointed out that the value of the work of unpaid volunteers should be recognised. Another member made an emotional appeal that the Cabinet Office should recognise the large number of people who benefit from the Fellowship for a very small government contribution that had reduced considerably in real terms over the years who would be devastated if the Fellowship no longer existed. A member said that the nature and objectives of the Fellowship and the Fund were so different that a merger was neither practicable nor desirable. Dusty acknowledged that the Fund was not in favour of a merger. An appointed Director sought help in overcoming the obstacles that the Data Protection Act had created in preventing the Fellowship obtaining details of newly retired civil servants and Dusty undertook to take up the matter with the Data Commissioner. An elected Director wanted to remind Cabinet Office that when the Fellowship was founded the grant-in-aid was introduced specifically to cover the costs of the services provided being available to all beneficiaries whether or not they were subscribers. Dusty agreed to look into this apparent connection.
Winding up the discussions the Chairman said that change was inevitable and the Fellowship would be looking at ways to improve its viability even if the grant-in-aid were to be reduced or even discontinued. Dusty thanked the Fellowship for its co-operation in providing data for the Review Group and for the present useful exchange of views. He promised to come back next year with an update. The Chairman thanked Dusty for taking the time to attend the meeting and for his helpful presentation.
The Chairman then proposed that the AGM proper should now get under way. She then called on the Treasurer, Sandra Hines, to present the accounts.
Sandra went through the accounts with the help of slides on the screens and explained how additional funding for Groups had been made available through the Social Room Hire contribution scheme. She also elaborated on the consultations that had taken place with three firms of investment managers as a result of which it was decided to stay with Lloyds TSB Private Banking but with a different type of portfolio, one which involved fewer changes in individual shareholdings and lower management charges. The fall in value of the Fellowship’s investments was noted but it was hoped that markets would soon improve. The accounts were received without a vote.
Item 5 on the agenda, the proposal to re-appoint Hard Dowdy as the Fellowship’s auditors and authorise the Board of Directors to fix their remuneration, was passed unanimously on a show of hands. The AGM was then temporarily adjourned with the Chairman explaining that the reason for this procedure was that members of the 2008-2009 Board of Directors remain in office until the end of the AGM, at which point the directors elected in 2008 would retire and the directors elected for 2009-2010 would assume office.
(The meeting then took a short break for coffee.)
On resumption as the “Annual Conference” the Chairman advised that no action had been needed on the one Motion tabled at Annual Conference 2008.
The Motion to increase subscriptions for 2010 by between 25p and 50p per month was proposed by the Vice-Chairman, Alan Churchard, and seconded by Mike Smith of Lincolnshire Branch. After a short debate the resolution was passed by a majority of 47 votes to 9 on a show of hands.
The meeting then considered the “Motions” detailed in paper AC/09/2. The Motion tabled by the Edinburgh, Lothians & Borders Branch was moved by Trudy Thomas of the Branch and seconded by Bob Grant of Glasgow Branch. The Treasurer, Sandra Hines, explained the impracticability of giving effect to such a Motion and, after a short debate, it was rejected. The Motion tabled by the Cornwall Branch was moved by Jill Slade of the Branch and seconded by David Luney of Merseyside Branch. After discussions about how attempts to produce similar items in the past had led to funds being locked up in unsold stocks of goods the Motion was rejected.
The meeting then considered the “Matters of interest or concern”, also part of paper AC/09/2. Peter Bryant of Dorset Branch had handed out extracts from the Memorandum of Association , para 3, sub-para 3.1, “Objects “ and from the Model Constitution – Appendix 2 “Function” and then spoke at length about how the Fellowship was hindered in carrying out the actions covered by these extracts. The Matter raised by Cornwall Branch was introduced by Dr Bob Adams of East Devon Branch. It was pointed out that resources did not allow the arrangements suggested to be carried out or for such “Friends” to receive avanti magazine.
(The Annual Conference having been concluded the AGM then resumed.)
Regarding the Board of Directors, the Chairman noted that there were 9 nominees for the 9 elected Director positions so, in accordance with the Fellowship’s constitution, all nominees were deemed elected without the need for a vote. Those deemed elected were Karen Doku, Evelyn George, John Lloyd, David Luney, David Paddon, Frances Quail, Ann Rhodes, Leonard Sainsbury and Michael Sisk. On behalf of Fellowship members the Chairman welcomed the elected Directors, especially the newcomers, Karen Doku and David Luney. She also thanked the outgoing Directors, Ken Wimble and John Wright, who had decided not to stand again, for their past service to the Fellowship.
The Chairman then announced an extra item of business, namely the award of “Certificates of Appreciation” to the winners of the Ruby Anniversary competition for the best Branch Newsletters and certificates were awarded to:
Gold - Branch 21 Cleveland and North Yorkshire, Editor - Shiela Scott Anderson
Silver - Branch 22 South East London, Editor - Phyllis Duignan
Bronze – Branch 56 Bedfordshire, Editor - Patricia Waters
In moving a vote of thanks at the end of the proceedings, Chairman Katrina thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the meetings including Fellowship Office staff, the St John Ambulance representatives and the staff of the hotel.
THE CSRF’S 2009-2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Katrina Williams (Chairman), Alan Churchard (Vice-Chairman), Sandra Hines (Treasurer), Russell Brown (National Whitley Council – Staff side nominee), Ray Flanigan (CSBF nominee), Karen Doku, Evelyn George, John Lloyd CB, David Luney, David Paddon, Frances Quail, Ann Rhodes, Leonard Sainsbury and Michael Sisk. There remains a vacancy for the National Whitley Council – Official Side nominee. Jean Cooper is Chief Executive and Company Secretary.