Minutes of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of CUMBRIA SCOUT COUNCIL held on THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2013 at 7.30 pm. at The Lakes School, Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere PRESENT Graham White Tim Leader John Over Marion Dixon County County County County Commissioner Chairman Treasurer Secretary Dignitaries and Guests: Cllr Alan Barry, Chairman, Cumbria County Council, and Mrs Pia Barry Cllr John Thompson, Chairman, Eden District Council Cllr William (Bill) Bacon, Mayor, and Mrs Valerie Bacon, Mayoress, Allerdale Borough Council Cllr Colin Thompson, Mayor, and Mrs Brenda Thompson (Mayoress), Barrow Borough Council Cllr Ray Bloxam, Mayor, and Mrs Olive Bloxam, Mayoress, Carlisle City Council Sarah Dunning (Cumbria Scout Ambassador), Chief Executive, Westmorland Ltd. Helen Holmes (Independent Examiner) Stables Thompson & Briscoe Accountants Chris Harris JP TD Regional Commissioner (North West) together with over 40 leaders and supporters of Scouting (as per attendance sheet). 1. Matthew Pimblett opened the meeting by reading ‘Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning …’ (author unknown). 2. Roy McNamara, vice-President, welcomed Mayors and Mayoresses, Vice Presidents, special guests and everyone involved in Cumbria Scouting, thanking them for their help and support over the year. 3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE are listed at the end of the minutes. 4. MINUTES OF THE LAST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held Thursday 27th September 2012 were approved and signed by the County Commissioner. 5. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2012/2013 Tim Leader presented the Annual Report and Accounts to the Council. An additional Annual Review of Scouting Activities for 2012/13 has been published this year. Membership has grown by 3% which is the highest in the northwest, and second highest in England. Facilities have made a positive financial contribution and work continues at Ennerdale to safeguard the River Ehen environment. Thanks were made to the Service Team who meet regularly to maintain the centre. Unfortunately, following a review of the usage of Bark House, the Executive has agreed not to renew its lease with the National Trust in July. Tim thanked Ian McQueen who had managed Bark house for many years but who has recently had to step down due to ill health and he therefore wished him a speedy recovery. Two full-time Development Officers have been employed for the West Coast Scout Development Project and the South Cumbria Scout Development Project. Other development initiatives are to be put into practice by the members of the County team, led by Graham White. The County Executive has carried out a major review of Governance which has led to the drawing up a new constitution which will seek to fully embed the County’s youth involvement structures and improve links to Districts. Other achievements include: A County Conference held for all adults involved in Scouting. ‘youthINK’, a County Youth Forum has been established. 29 members attained Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, 7 at Gold. Four members attained Explorer Belts in Europe and ten members attained Explorer Belts as part of an expedition to Nepal. Cumbria Leaders and Cubs were joined on a training course by the Duchess of Cambridge at Great Tower. Bear Grylls joined young members from throughout the county at Cumbaree. Tim announced that one of the main objectives for the county for this coming year is to support the work of ‘youthINK’, the County Youth Forum, and establish youth forums in Districts and provide even greater opportunities for young people to be involved in decision making. Other objectives include a review Adult Training to make training more accessible; the recommendations of the review of County Governance will be implemented; to capitalise on the opportunities provided by the county’s two development projects; and Leaders and young people are to be selected to attend the 23rd World Scout Jamboree to be held in Japan during 2015. Finances: Incoming resources Membership subscriptions 2011/12 2012/13 9,921 10,665 Grants and Donations 56,919 30,951 Facilities 30,307 32,689 County Activities 15,437 8,876 Other income (mainly Jamboree/International Activities) 11,177 29,513 123,761 112,694 Total Resources expended 2011/12 2012/13 Governance and administration 19,445 20,682 Development 35,405 33,099 Facilities 29,898 29,285 County Activities 21,373 18,382 Other (mainly Jamboree in 2010/11) 4,621 30,594 Capital projects 13,721 1,374 Total 124,463 133,416 Total Assets 31 March 2012 31 March 2013 Fixed Assets 474,015 472,001 Other Restricted Funds 15,364 3,698 Other Designated Funds 150,067 131,310 Other Unrestricted Funds 55,150 68,239 Total 694,596 675,248 Income is £20,722 less than expenditure mainly due to the planned investment in development projects and initiatives. Capital investment of £1,374 Assets of the County decreased by £19,348 The Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for 2012/13 were received by the council. 6. TO ADOPT THE CONSTITUTION FOR CUMBRIA COUNTY COUNCIL The Council were asked to consider the Chairman’s previously circulated proposed Constitution of Cumbria County Scout Council which reflected the introduction of a County Youth Forum and Youth Forums in Districts. The intention of the changes is to firmly link the work of the Youth Forums with the County’s constitutional arrangements. Proposed: Tim Leader Seconded: Peter Watson 7. COMPOSITION OF COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL (a) The County Commissioner’s nomination of Tim Leader as County Chairman was noted. (b) To consider the appointment of PRESIDENT Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria Proposed: Graham White Seconded: Tim Leader (c) To consider appointments of VICE PRESIDENTS Robin C Attwood Roy McNamara Canon David Dixon Joe Rawlings OBE Proposed: David Hughes Joe Harris Ron W Turner Lord Hothfield Seconded: Jeff Carson David Hughes thanked the Vice Presidents for agreeing to serve for another year and for their continued support for Scouting in Cumbria. Tribute was made to Denis Stanswood who sadly passed away earlier this year. (c) To note NOMINATIONS to Membership of the County Scout Council by Districts The County Chairman explained that the County Scout Council is the elected body representing the Young People of Cumbria and elects the County Scout Executive from amongst its members. Therefore the Executive is accountable to the Scout Council, and each year the Council is presented with the report by the Executive and approves it (or not). One Group Scouter from each District Group Scouter Eden Nigel Harling Kentdale Hilary Holliday Reivers Maureen White Solway/Derwent Mike Fitzgerald South West Lakes Keith King Western Lakes David Keenan Workington Phil Dryden (d) To approve CO-OPTED members of the COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL Representatives from: Children’s Services Cumbria County Council The Lake District National Park The National Trust The Diocese of Carlisle County Commissioner Girlguiding Cumbria North County Commissioner Girlguiding Cumbria South Proposed: John Bevan Catherine Witt Chris Tomlin for any LDNP items Linda Bowden Rev. Ashley Henderson Julie Walton (successor to Cheryl Christian) Barbara Littlewood Seconded: Alan Clark (e) To elect a COUNTY TREASURER: Nomination: John Over Proposed: Peter Watson Seconded: Colin Partington 8. TO APPOINT HELEN HOLMES, STABLES THOMPSON & BRISCOE, KENDAL AS THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER ACCOUNTS FOR 2011/2012 Proposed: Alan Clark Seconded: David Hughes 9. TO ELECT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (a) To note ex officio members: County Commissioner County Chairman County Treasurer County Secretary County Network Commissioner (b) To approve the County Commissioner’s nominations to the Executive Committee: Bill Arnott Ben Hodgkiss Colin Partington Peter Watson Proposed: Graham White Seconded: Tim Leader (c) To elect 9 members (1 nomination from each District) Eden Kentdale Reivers Solway/Derwent South West Lakes Western Lakes Workington Alan Harryman Tim Keegan Jeff Carson Jan Cooper David Hughes To be confirmed Alan Clark One nomination by the District Commissioners To be confirmed One nomination by the County Youth Forum To be confirmed Proposed: Marion Dixon Seconded: John Over (d) To note the right of attendance of Chris Harris, NW Regional Commissioner (e) To note those INVITED to ATTEND: Julia Samson – Deputy County Commissioner Richard Hirst – Deputy County Commissioner Regional Development Manager 10. TO ELECT 2 REPRESENTATIVES TO THE COUNCIL OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION Nominated: Colin Partington Nominated: Ben Hodgkiss Proposed: John Seed (over 25) (under 25) Seconded: Eddie Ward 10. FORMAL BUSINESS MEETING was closed at 8.15pm by the County Chairman. AWARDS Awards were presented to: Hoosiders Explorer Scouts who attended the ‘Sun Run’ in Gloucester and won Fastest Junior Team. Harry Wharam was presented with his Pilot’s Licence. Richard Hirst - Wood Badge – Deputy CC (Programme) THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW Graham White reported that there would be a change in format to next year’s AGM. There would be a formal meeting for Council members to accept formal proposals etc., followed by a separate event to celebrate the achievements of young members to which dignitaries and guests would be invited to attend. Graham also confirmed that his appointment as County Commissioner was due to end in April 2014 and he reported that Chris Harris, Regional Commissioner, would be setting up a search team in the autumn and encouraging candidates to make an application. He thanked everyone for the support he had received during the last four and a half years and encouraged leaders to consider the role if approached. REGIONAL COMMISSIONER’S REVIEW Chris Harris, North West England Regional Commissioner, reported that the County had had the highest growth in membership in the Region for two years running and that the newly set up Youth Forum was leading the way in the Region. He also confirmed that the two Development Projects in the South and West were working well. He encouraged all members to spread the message of Scouting throughout the County to so that membership would continue to grow. He paid tribute to Graham and thanked him for all the work he had done to help the County achieve its goals. CUMBRIA SCOUTING AMBASSADOR Graham White presented Sarah Dunning, Chief Executive, Westmorland Ltd, with and i-Scout polo shirt and hooded top and welcomed her in her role as Cumbria Scouts Ambassador. EXPLORER BELT EXPEDITION TO NEPAL 2013 Ten Explorer Scouts travelled with Community Action Nepal (CAN), a charity set up by Doug Scott to support the sustainability of the trekking industry in the Middle Hills region of Nepal and build schools, health posts and shelters for porters. They set themselves ten challenges which included keeping a personal diary, supporting CAN at the Kendal Mountain Festival, teaching a song to Nepalese children, carrying out project work at Ghunsa school, to design a Cumbrian flag, meeting with Nepalese Scouts research into local religions and their customs, to take photos for the CAN website, stay safe, have fun and have no regrets! The group organised their own fundraising which included bag packs, grant applications, organising a lecture at the Lakes School by Doug Scott, car boot sales, sponsored walks, Gig nights and attended the Dalston Show. After flying to Kathmandu, they made a 15 hour journey by bus and Jeep to a CAN school at Ghunsa where they helped with dismantling old school buildings and carrying rocks to the site of the new building. Whilst in Nepal, the group took part in a trek led by local Sherpas and supported by porters. They visited Bahrabise, a school run by CAN for deaf children where they met some of the students. After returning to Kathmandu, they visited the Nepalese Scout HQ and took some time for sightseeting and shopping. On their return to the UK, the group were able to reflect on the benefits of their expedition to Nepal. These included developing a link to another international scout organisation and promoting Scouting through presentations about their trip to other groups in the County. They had worked well as a team, taken responsibility and developed organisational skills. Each member of the group had experienced a different culture and were now more confident to take on further challenges. Finally, they thanked Cumbria County Scout Council for their support. CLOSING THOUGHTS Tim Leader reported that he and Graham White had met with Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria, who was enthusiastic and keen to support Scouting in Cumbria and very much hoped to visit a Scout Group and Ennerdale Scout Centre in the near future, and he hoped that the County would continue to build on its successes next year. SIGNED: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ GRAHAM WHITE, COUNTY COMMISSIONER DATED: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Apologies from Dignitaries and Guests: Sir Chris Bonington, Cumbria Scout Ambassador Mr Fred Story, Cumbria Scout Ambassador Mr Rory Stewart, MP for Penrith and the Border Mr Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale Sir Tony Cunningham, MP for Workington Mr John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle and Cumbria Scout Ambassador Mr John Woodcock, MP for Barrow in Furness Cllr Evelyn Westwood, Chairman, South Lakeland District Council Mr Chris Batten, Director, Francis C Scott Charitable Trust Mr A Beeforth, Director, Cumbria Community Foundation Mrs Cath Clarke, Chief Officer, Cumbria Youth Alliance Mr Hein Van der Westhuizen, Cumbria Youth Alliance SCOUT MEMBERS’ APOLOGIES Claire Hensman, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Cumbria (President) Robin Attwood, vice-President Rev Canon Dixon, vice-President Joe Rawlings, vice-President Ashley Henderson, Co-opted member, Diocese of Carlisle Barbara Littlewood, Co-opted member, Girlguiding Cumbria South Julie Walton, Co-opted member, Girlguiding Cumbria North Chris Tomlin, Co-opted member, Lake District National Park Bill Arnott Tom Bell Liam Benson Alma Binyon Clive Britton Bryan Caine Sue Cruickshank Bill Davidson Steve Dawson Alison Dodd Roger Fisher Jackie Grundy Alan Harryman Hillary Holiday Tim Keegan David Keenan Emma Kirkman Yvonne Martin Francess McIntyre Iain McIntyre Rob McIntyire S McGuckin Ian McQueen Geoff Price Rachel Prickett Robert Reader Gillian Reader Claudia Walker Bill Walker Jackie Wright Alastair Yates