ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Tuesday 8 November 2016 at 8.00 pm

At SCILL, 3 Robin Hood Lane, Sutton SM1 2SW

Present:The Worshipful Mayor of the Borough of Sutton (Cllr Richard Clifton)

Dick Bower (Vice Chair, ANS)

Brian Turner (Treasurer, ANS)

Mohammad Al-Hussaini (African & Caribbean Heritage Association)

Tia ArberryMalcolm Booth (Trinity Church)

Andy BrookStella Chevalier

Cllr Steve CookChristine Dayly

James DaviesAlan Fitter

Suzanne FitterDavid Forty

Miranda LewisCaterina Loriggio

Gary MilsomRichard Moore

Isabel NewCllr Steve Penneck

Graham ReedAdrienne Roberts

Linda SadlerRachel Sambrooks

Maria Shury-SmithSamia Tossio

David TribeSheree Vickers (Savvy Theatre)

June VollerAngeles Walford

Deborah WelchDanny Wilson

Jasmine Wilson

  1. Welcome

Dick welcomed everyone and introduced the Mayor.

  1. Mayor’s Speech

The Mayor again welcomed everyone to the Arts Network Sutton AGM and thanked the outgoing members of the committee including Dick Bower (Vice Chair) for 20 years’ service and also Heather Honour (former Acting Chair) for all of her endeavours.

He stated that he would support the work of the committee to be elected that night and would like to continue working together to generate increased arts activity in SuttonHigh Street.

The Mayor extended a welcome to Ryan Jones who is the new Arts Engagement Co-ordinator for Sutton Borough Council.He hoped for a year-round arts programme to be achieved.

The Mayor handed back to Dick Bower to lead the formal part of the evening.

  1. Apologies

Dick had received apologies from LordTope plus a number of other apologies had been received by email from: Neil Vaughan – Carshalton Artists, RosamundMcGavin, John Steel – The Christopher Singers and Ann Pattison.

  1. Minutes of the Sutton Arts Network held on 2 July 2015

Caterina Loriggio asked that in future all AGM attendees should be listed on the minutes. This was agreed.

Minutes of the Arts Network Sutton Executive Committee meeting held on 11 October 2016

These minutes were not discussed.

  1. Report on Activities by Outgoing Interim Chair

Dick had compiled a report which had gone to the Council and tabled copies. The report is available at

Summary of activity April 2015 to March 2016:

The year started with great optimism with a new Chair, SamiaTossio and things were going well. However, at the last AGM Samia had to resign, she was followed by: Sheree Vickers, Vice Chair, Ali Sairally, Treasurer and John Ellis, Secretary.

The first half of the year was spent trying to find replacement Executive Members, these were secured at the start of 2016 as follows:

Doris Richards – Secretary

Heather Honour – Acting Chair

Brian Turner – Treasurer

The other Executive members included:

Alan Fitter, Caterina Loriggio, Gary Milsom, Richard Moore, Rachel Sambrook, Tasmin Sumner, David Tribe, Chris Wood, Joanna Steele, Cllrs Steve Penneck and Steve Cooke.

There were 2 volunteers:Manjiri Shivade and Rayya Ali. They were thanked for their support.

Richard Burgess acted as independent auditor.

The Grants Committee was made up as follows:

Heather Honour

RosamundMcGavin (who replaced Heather when she became Acting Chair)

Cllr Simon Wales

Toni Walsh

Angela Williams

Jasmine Wilson

£5,000 was given in grants for the year plus £800 to the Imagine Festival.

ANS Strategy Review – a draft strategy was prepared following an away-day led by Heather Honour. This strategy will be completed by the new committee.

There are currently 334 members of the ANS.

Members receive a monthly newsletter done by Chris Wood who also does press releases. Social media was managed by Joanna Steele after the departure of Sheree Vickers.

Film Competition/Festival – organised by Tasmin Summers/Richard Moore “Sutton: The Movie” has just closed to entries and the results will be announced in the new year.

Towards the end of the year, Heather and Caterina collaborated with the Borough local authority on their draft masterplan and the changes to the Northern Gateway (now known as Market Place Sutton).

Art Exhibitions – three art exhibitions are held each year - these are managed by David Tribe who was thanked for his hard work. These exhibitions are: The Open Art Exhibition, Art as Therapy and the Youth Art Exhibition.

Minden – Sutton’s Twin Town in Germany. Two local artists were found to represent Sutton in the international exhibition in Minden, Ingrid Barber, artist and Jeremy Clark, sculptor who later collaborated on project for Honeywood on World War One.

Two workshops were held; Getting an Audience and Fundraising which were both well attended, having 29 and 30 attendees respectively.

Dr Nicky Ryan of University of the Arts London who is a Carshalton resident, ran an MA project with her students which produced a large number of good ideas on the future direction of marketing ANS.

Music – ANS continue to underwrite the Sutton Music Festival. Part of the Neil Heayes legacy was used to fund a masterclass for String players.

A small grant was given to thesecond Wallington Music Festival which was a huge success.

.

  1. Independent Examiners Financial Report and appointment of Independent Examiner for 2016/7

Brian Turner went through the accounts and explained that due to resignation of the previous treasurer the position was vacant and was covered by Dick Bower.

The balance sheet showed Assets of £43,121 and a deficit of £4,731on Income & Expenditure. The narrative is not correct; brackets should be around deficit not surplus.

Brian thanked both Dick for covering the post and Richard Burgess for the Independent Report.

The Independent Examiner for 2016/17 has not yet been appointed but we will continue with the search, reporting to the committee and then to the members.

The full report can be obtained on request by email to:

A comment was received from the floor. The Charity Commission needs a report of all the activities, not just the annual accounts. The new committee will follow this up.

Sheree Vickers raised issue of Neil Heayes award. Dick responded that a plan had been put together but not yet progressed. The new committee will develop this further.

  1. Election of Officers and Executive Committee for 2016/17

Dick went through the nominations as follows:

  1. Chair - Alan Fitter – nominated by Caterina Loriggio and seconded by Richard Moore. As Alan was the only person, standing he was duly elected. Dick congratulated Alan and welcomed him
  1. Vice Chairs
  1. Caterina Loriggio – nominated by Alan Fitter and seconded by Richard Moore
  2. Adrienne Roberts – nominated by Alan, and seconded by Caterina

As Caterina and Adrienne were the only people standing, they were duly elected. Dick congratulated both Caterina and Adrienne

  1. The following 5 Committee members were nominated by Alan and seconded by Caterina:

Andy Brook

James Davies

Richard Moore

Rachel Sambrooks

Jasmine Wilson

As they were the only people standing, they were all duly elected on to the

committee.

  1. Brian Turner agreed formally to become Honorary Treasurer.

7.AOB

Cllr Steve Cook gave thanks from the Council to Dick Bower for his efforts during the last 18 months holding ANS together.

Alan Fitterthen spoke as the incoming Chair. He also gave thanks to Dick.

He said that the new executive committee will be a collaborative effort of great brains and experts in many areas of the arts field.

The aim is to become a true network – to do things for the members and be more collegiate and democratic.

There will be regular networks events both internal and external.

ANS will re-engage with the Council through Ryan, this will be an exciting time for the borough and the arts.

From the floor,David Tribe said that there was a lack of committed volunteers/helpers needed for practical help. Alan responded that ANS will be in contact with all members and will be building a database of what each person can and would be able to do. Angeles Walford thought this was a good idea.

Rachel Sambrooks said it would be nice if the ANS could would share information about what grants etc. have been given and to whom.

Alan also said there would be better communication with members including social networking.

The meeting was bought to a close.

Minutes taken by Sue Fitter