annual general meeting 2023

AGENDA

Apologies

Minutes of the last meeting (see below)

Matters arising

Annual Report

Approval of Draft Accounts *

Election to Council of Management (COM) **

Appointment of Auditors

Any Other Business

* To view the accounts in advance of the meeting, please visit us at the Bear Steps or send an email to info@shrewsburycivicsociety.co.uk to request a copy.

** If you wish to put forward a candidate to join the COM, please let us know by contacting us on info@shrewsburycivicsociety.co.uk, providing the name and contact details of the proposed candidate, as well as his/her proposer and seconder.

CIVIC SOCIETY AGM Minutes (12th October 2022)

Present: Mike Dinneen; Jane Dinneen; Russell Game; John Brown; Martina Chamberlain; Dave Lupine; David Shepherd; Mike Carter; Simon Beedles; Brian Fullam; Pauline Fullam; Gaynor Tate

 

Apologies

Jordanis Petridis; Bibbs Tomaszewski; Bill Tomaszewski

 

Minutes of the last meeting 

  • These were approved as an accurate record (Proposed – David Shepherd; Seconded – John Brown)

 

Matters arising

  • None

 

Annual Report

  • This had been circulated in advance in both the newsletter/magazine and online

 

Mike Dinneen drew attention to the following updates: 

  • The cost of electricity was increasing from 16p per Kw/h to 94p per Kw/h (off-peak) and from 18p per Kw/h to 113p per Kw/h. It is possible that the treasurer can reduce this somewhat by arranging a better deal, but there would still be a substantial increase in energy bills. This rendered the installation of new LED lighting essential (to replace the existing, expensive halogen bulbs)
  • The repairs to the building had now been completed, bar some snagging and other finishing touches
  • In terms of planning, the hot topic is currently the plan for the Travelodge hotel in Barker Street
  • The shop was now returning to normal after the interruptions caused by Covid lockdowns. The shop could now boast a new range and was moving towards a new system of taking payment
  • A new bank account would allow us to make online payments and perhaps move towards online sales
  • We are looking to improve our IT equipment in order to modernise the society
  • Mike then thanked his colleagues for their unpaid work and time, work that involved evaluating planning applications, looking after the building, developing systems and getting involved in town activities, such as the Art Trail. He mentioned that the society was regularly invited to attend functions and other events
  • Finally, he drew attention to the recent 50th Anniversary of the reopening of the Bear Steps Hall in 1972 and the exhibition that accompanied this, which was visited by the mayor

 

Approval of Draft Accounts 

  • David Shepherd (Treasurer) presented the draft accounts to the meeting, drawing attention to aspects of income and expenditure and pointing out that the society had overspent in the financial year 2021/2022 
  • A question from the floor (Brian Fullam) asked if the society gained anything from the government move towards an upper limit on energy prices. DS replied that he was not aware of any benefit at this time but would keep an eye on the situation. MD added that the Treasury website is ‘vague’ about this
  • David asked that the draft accounts be approved by the meeting. This was done. (Proposed – Mike Carter; Seconded – Jane Dinneen; no dissenters) 
  • A vote of thanks to David Shepherd for his work as Treasurer was unanimously carried

 

Election to Council of Management (COM) 

  • All current trustees had indicated that they were prepared to continue for a further three years. The meeting was unanimously in favour of this 
  • No other candidates had put themselves forward for trusteeship

 

Appointment of Auditors 

  • It was unanimously agreed to continue with Stewart Associates. (Proposed – Gaynor Tate; Seconded – Mike Carter)

 

Any Other Business 

  • Mike Dinneen once more thanked his colleagues for their work
  • Finally, Gaynor Tate proposed a vote of thanks to Mike Dinneen for his hard work as chair of the society

 

The meeting ended at 19.45