MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BANSTEAD DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL
HELD ON 14 JUNE 2016 AT PARK FARM
PRESENT
/ Diana BowesColin Griffiths
Jan Jobson
Vernon Tucker
Mary Butler / District President
District Chairman
District Commissioner
District Treasurer
District Secretary (Acting)
GUESTS / Joe Rogerson / County Commissioner, Surrey Scouts
Also present were members of the District Team and Executive, many members of Banstead District Scouts, as well as friends of Scouting in Banstead.
1. WELCOME The Chairman extended a warm welcome to all those present. He then introduced the guests on the top table listed above as well as welcoming Councillors Ken Gulati and Eddy Humphreys with Mrs Humphreys.
2. PRAYER The meeting was opened by a prayer given by John Tickett.
3. APOLOGIES were received from Cllr. Harrison and 12 others.
4. MINUTES OF THE 2015 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, having been displayed were taken as read, and approved as a correct record.
Proposer: Colin Griffiths Seconder Alistair Tickett
5. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE REPORT for the year ended 31st March 2016 having been displayed, was taken as read. Acceptance of this was proposed by Jan Jobson and seconded by Alistair Tickett, and IT WAS RESOLVED THAT this report be and is hereby adopted.
6. DISTRICT ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31 March 2016 were displayed. The Treasurer thanked those who had provided figures soon after the year end, and to Neil Bridges for approving the accounts so quickly. The figures are those for the District as Groups produce their own accounts, as do the 3 Explorer Units, Scout Network and SASU. The Treasurer would be pleased to give copies of the accounts or to answer an queries on them after the meeting. Proposed by Vernon Tucker and seconded by Mark Wingett, IT WAS RESOLVED THAT the Accounts and Treasurer’s Report for the year ended 31 March 2016 be and is hereby accepted.
The District Chairman then sat down and the President requested the District Commissioner to announce his nomination for District Chairman.
7. DISTRICT CHAIRMAN The DC thanked Colin for his hard work as Chairman during the past year. Her nomination for the ensuing year was Colin Griffiths, and IT WAS RESOLVED THAT he be and is hereby appointed.
8. DISTRICT SECRETARY The Chairman thanked Mary Butler for acting as District Secretary and proposed she continue in the post. This was seconded by Alistair Tickett, and IT WAS RESOLVED THAT Mary Butler be and is hereby elected as District Secretary (Acting) for the ensuing year.
9. DISTRICT TREASURER The Chairman thanked Vernon Tucker for acting as District Treasurer and proposed he continue in the post for a further year. This was seconded by Jessice Sayers, and IT WAS RESOLVED THAT Vernon Tucker be and is hereby elected as District Treasurer for the ensuing year.
10. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTIONS The Chairman announced that the following names had been put forward to be elected to the Committee - Liz Batten (Beavers), Denis Noe (Cubs), Matt Chapman (Scouts) and Kelvin Freeman (GSLs). Proposed by Len Butler and seconded by David Field, IT WAS RESOLVED THAT they be and are hereby elected for the ensuing year..
11. DISTRICT EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS The DC nominated Len Butler and Mark Wingett, and, seconded by Kevin Jobson, IT WAS RESOLVED THAT they be and are hereby elected to the Committee.
12. SURREY COUNTY SCOUT COUNCIL The DC’s nomination for District Representative to the Council was Jessica Sayers, and IT WAS RESOLVED THAT she be and is hereby appointed.
13. DISTRICT ACCOUNTS EXAMINER The Chairman thanked Neil Bridges for examining the District’s accounts for the year to 31 March 2016 and nominated him for the ensuing year, and IT WAS RESOLVED THAT he be and is hereby appointed.
14. PRESENTATIONS
Jan Jobson presented the following:
Chief Scouts Platinum Award Max McCarthy and Ben Woods
DoE Bronze Award Owen Barber and Callum Lawlor
Young Leaders’ Belt Callum Hawker
Joe Rogerson then presented the following:-
Wood Badge Jan Jobson - District Commissioner
Queen’s Scout Badge David Field - District Network Commissioner
Steve Myatt – ASL 1st Woodmansterne
Commendation for Good Service/ Tom Jobson – EASL Banstead District Explorers
5 Years’ Service Award
Silver Acorn Les Mitchell – 7th Banstead
Jessica Sayers – 1st Walton on the Hill
Bar to the Silver Acorn Frank Jones – Assistant District Commissioner (Cubs)
SPEECHES
Diana Bowes, President, Banstead District Scout Council, said it was a great pleasure to address the meeting. Cllr David Powell, who has just taken on the office of Mayor, had found he is unable to attend because of some family business at the last minute. but sent his apologies and good wishes to all present as a former Scout. As a past Mayor and your President I am pleased to welcome our new Surrey County Commissioner, Joe Rogerson, who has been camping here at Park Farm in the past. As someone who has always done her duty,the Queen has celebrated her 90th birthday in such a wonderful way. It was wonderful to see the Scouts and Guides in the Mall Parade on Sunday as Scouting has always been supported by members of the Royal Family. Reigate & Banstead too supports Scouting, leasing us Park Farm and negotiations are happening to make our site even better. In closing she thanked all who make Scouting in Banstead possible, working in partnership to support young people to become actively engaged and develop their skills.
The Chairman read a report from John Freeman on behalf of 1st Factreton Scout Group in South Africa.
Thank you once again for your financial support and donation of goods over the recent years, the support you have supplied not only helps the Scout Leaders to arrange good activities etc. but also assists these young peoples’ future lives. The St George’s Day collection this year of £420-00 which has been transferred to 1st Factreton converted to just under 10,000 Rand. To put this in context the average 1st Factreton Scout parent works casually on a daily cash in hand basis for which they earn about 150 Rand per day, and as they can only find work 3 or 4 days a week the 10,000 Rand equates to approximately 20 weeks work, so you can appreciate how helpful your donation is. Having said all that the 1ST Factreton Scouts and myself are more appreciative of your donations than words can express and for the support you have supplied over the past years, and understand you may wish to provide your support to other worthwhile causes in future. So please do not feel committed or obligated to support them in the future as and when another good cause arises.
The Chairman then reported on the Lease Proposals as follows:-
· The current Park Farm lease runs out this December and proposals in regard to it’s renewal have been made as well as some changes they would like.
· The Council have plans to redevelop what was the Council depot next door. To this end they wish to reclaim the building that contains our workshop, office and store along with our archery range.
· In return they are offering a large piece of land to the left of our current entry, the outer building in the car park and the land between that and the stile becoming ours.
· The second building to become ours in approximately 18 months’ time.
· In addition the porta cabin washroom, at present outside the Clock Tower building will be moved to the site of the old brick toilet to the right of our entry, which will become adult toilet and show facilities for adults.
· A separate power supply will be installed.
· These changes are to be at no cost to Scouting.
There are concerns re assess and emergency exits from some buildings and we have voiced our concerns and requirements to the Council. Any redevelopment will take time and as yet is unapproved. We understand a feasibility study is in progress. We have put our views and requests to the Council and have provided the Scout Trust Corporation requirements to them also. We are currently awaiting a lease proposal and this will have to be looked at carefully and the finer details considered, particularly a possible increase in rent.
The Executive do see that site operation could be slightly more difficult, but consider the pros outweigh the cons.
Jan Jobson, District Commissioner gave a warm welcome to Joe Rogerson our new County Commissioner, and said he would be welcome any time, and was very happy to see so many Explorers and Network members present.
· She reported that this has been a very successful year for Banstead with many awards being achieved, though District numbers are slightly down but Groups are working towards the 2018 vision and growth.
· The District is also working towards the 2018 Vision – Growth, Inclusivity, Community and Youth Shaped. District and Groups are always trying to recruit new members from all walks of life, regardless of culture or background, so two out of four are covered. Again this year a Country Fayre will be run in September and several Groups are involved in community project – number 3 ticked off! Finally a Youth Commissioner is being sought to work with the young people in all sections, to get young people involved and to tell us what they want from Scouting.
· All sections are working towards badges and awards, so congratulations to them all.
· Two Queen’s Scouts since 2007 is great news well done David and Steve. It is hoped there will be more to come!
Highlight activities from the all the sections in 2015/16 were:-
Beavers went to Bazzaz last June for a day full of activities and challenges. Cubs went to Chessington World of Adventure for a Sleepover without much sleep!
Scouts from 3rd Banstead went to France and visited the Somme battlefields last May, and in the Autumn Scouts from all Groups went paintballing and had a good time through very cold.
Explorers from all 3 Units went on a summer camp in France including 2 days on the River Ardeche. At Easter Network attended Revo on the Isle of Wight, but unfortunately so did Storm Katie with winds of 106 mph!
3 Explorers went to Japan for the World Jamboree and had an amazing time.
A Young Leader Unit has been started and several Young Leader Belts have been awarded.
· Compass was still not up and running last August but this did not deter Alistair Tickett who found a way to get the information required from Gilwell to be able to apply for the awards that have just been presented. During the year Chief Scout’s Commendations were presented to Ruth Houghton (BSL 1st Woodmansterne) Laurence Chenery (ABSL 1st Woodmansterne) Robin Searle (ACSL 1st Tadworth), and the Award for Merit to Vernon Tucker (District Treasurer) and Michael Charman (GSL 3rd Banstead). All the awards were well deserved and Jan congratulated and thanked them all for their hard work.
· Jan thanked the District Executive for their help and especially to the 2 members who have now stepped down after several year. She gave her personal thanks to Colin, Mary and Vernon for their continued help and guidance.
· Thanks also to everyone involved in providing the BBQ, to Mark and his team for cooking and the work done last week to make the site tidy. Their continued hard work behind the scenes is keeping our District site in good order and is appreciate by all.
· Finally thanks to Leaders and your teams for the time dedication and enthusiasm you give the young people week in week out, which enables them to gain badges and have wonderful adventures,
Joe Rogerson, County Commissioner, Surrey remembers well the Park Farm campsite from when he was assessing camps for Wimbledon and Wandle Scout District, and commented that the Banstead AGM was the second one he had attended as CC, and the average age of those present here was considerably lower than the first one!
· He went on to say that the success of Banstead District was the quality of the adults providing quality programmes for the young people. In fact Surrey has increased adult membership by 24%.
· With the 2018 Vision in mind, Surrey has drawn up its ideas for the next 5 years and beyond – a vision at all levels. Firstly ‘ever increasing numbers of youth members and skilled quality adults. If every section in every Group in the District increases by at least one young member each year, numbers will rise.
· Secondly skilled quality adults to produce quality, well-resourced programmes to lay brilliant foundations for the future.
· Thirdly good people, delivering good programmes need decent meeting places, better equipment.
· Joe closed thanking all the leaders for all they do and will do and asked them to take this vision with them in future.
The meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.
The Jamboree 2015 Presentation was then made by two of the three Banstead Explorers who went to Japan last year. They laid on an interesting film show with clear explanations.