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Election of Fellows to the Council
Following a unanimous resolution of the Executive under Standing Order M2.2a on 28th July 2024, the following were proposed for membership of the Council as Fellows:
These nominations were accepted by the Council, with no votes against and 3 abstentions.
Certificates were presented to Christopher and Barbara. Chris thanked the Council for the nominations.
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Application to affiliate
No applications for affiliation had been received. An application to join the Council as a small society had been received from the Open University Society. This had been approved by the Executive and would be applicable from 2nd October 2024.
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Other changes to affiliation
A disaffiliation notice has been received from The Guild of St Agatha, signed by two of their officers, under rule 4.4e.
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Welcome to new members
The President gave a welcome to new and returning members (indicated in the list at the end of these minutes).
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Apologies for absence
A number of apologies were received and are listed at the end of these minutes.
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In Memoriam
The Secretary read the names of the following members and former members who had died since the last meeting.
The following Council Members died after the report for 2023 was compiled:
Brynley Alfred Richards, Southwell Diocesan Guild 1978 - 1981, 1984 - 2002, East Derbyshire & West Nottinghamshire Association 2014 - 2017, attended 24 meetings, died 7th May 2023
Roland Ferguson Eccles, Australia & New Zealand Association 1979 - 1990, attended 10 meetings, died 12 June 2023
Alan Paul Standley Berry, Honorary Member 1982 - 2000, 2004 - 2007, 2008 - 2010, Ex-officio Member 2010 - 2014, attended 21 meetings, died 11 July 2023
Jeanne Elizabeth Bottomley, Honorary member 1966 - 1971, attended 4 meetings, died 27 May 2023
David Oliver Knewstub, Australian & New Zealand Association 2002 - 2004, attended one meeting, died 10 August 2023
The following Council Members died after the 2023 Council meeting:
James Linnell, Peterborough Diocesan Guild 1966 - 1972, attended 5 meetings, died 15 September 2023
Giancarlo Tommasi, Veronese Society 1988 - 1990, 1996 - 1999, attended 6 meetings, died 16 September 2023
Wendy Piercy (neé Philips), Bedfordshire Association 1999 - 2011, attended 11 meetings, died 20 September 2023
Peter Appleby Trotman, North American Guild alternate 1994 - 1996, member 1996 - 2008, Honorary member 2008 - 2010, Additional member 2010 - 2018, attended 20 meetings, died 27 January 2024
Rev. David Lewis Cawley, Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association 1993 - 1996, attended 3 meetings, died 6 February 2024
Andrew Johnson, Winchester & Portsmouth Diocesan Guild 2017 - 2019, attended 1 meeting, died 20 February 2024
Joseph Edward George (Joe) Roast, Essex Association 1963 - 1972, attended 7 meetings, died 29 February 2024
Alan John Smith, Guildford Guild, 1981 - 1984, attended 3 meetings, died 11 March 2024
Rev. Giles Christopher Galley, Yorkshire Association 1989 - 1999, attended 10 meetings, died 9 April 2024
Garry Stephen Barr, University of London Society 1993 - 1999, London County Association 1999 - 2007, attended 14 meetings, died 27 May 2024
Donald A Trumpler, North American Guild (Alternate member) 1989 - 1992, attended 1 meeting, died 10 June 2024
John Robert Mayne, Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild 1957 - 1966, Honorary member 1968 - 1989, Hertford County Association 1990 - 2002, attended 32 meetings, died 23 Jun 2024
Hans Rashbrook, Middlesex County Association and London Diocesan Guild, 2023 - 2024, attended no meetings, died 8 July 2024
Alan Robert Bentley, Honorary member 2008 - 2010, Additional member 2010 - 2012, Oxford Diocesan Guild 2012 - 2015, attended 2 meetings, died 10 July 2024
Robert Christopher (Chris) Kippin, Ancient Society of College Youths 1981 - 1990, attended 9 meetings, died 18 July 2024
The following Council Members died after the 2024 report went to print.
Malcolm John Lodwick, St David’s Diocesan Guild 1981 - 1982, Kent County Association 1984 - 1990, attended 5 meetings, died 17 July 2024
Norman Richard Mattingley, Hereford Diocesan Guild 1981 - 1994, Truro Diocesan Guild 1996 - 2019, attended 34 meetings, died 25 August 2024
David R McLean, Norwich Diocesan Association 1987-1990, 1993-1996, 2002-2005 and 2008-2024. Attended 11 meetings.
The Rev Anthony Ellis (Hereford Guild) led the meeting in prayer.
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There were no corrections noted. The meeting approved the minutes and they were signed by the President.
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Matters arising from the Minutes not covered elsewhere on the agenda
There were no matters arising.
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Trustees Annual Report for 2023
The President introduced the Trustees Annual Report (TAR). The President introduced the current trustees.
The Secretary reported on changes to the membership figures in paragraph 7. As of the 26th August 2024 there were 66 affiliated societies and 2 small societies. There was a membership of 2 fellows, 17 ex-officio members, 172 representative members and 27 vacancies. There were 2 representatives from small societies.
There were no questions.
The President proposed the report be accepted, seconded by Alan Frost (Fellow). This was accepted, with 2 abstentions.
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Accounts for 2023
These were approved by the Executive on the 28th of July 2024. Fergus Stracey presented the accounts. Duncan Walker, as Independent Examiner, had submitted an unqualified report to the Council, which was made available on the Council website. The Treasurer also thanked Beryl Norris of Publications and Ian Self of the Friends of the Library for their contribution and thanked John Harrison for his work in distributing the leaflets.
The Treasurer reported that as of 31st December 2023, the total assets of the Council were £419,257. The General Fund made a loss of £18,712, primarily as a result of spending for Ringing 2030. Publications had returned to profit and The Friends of the Library had a deficit of £142. Two grants were paid from the Fred Dukes International Bell Fund, leaving £2,100 in unpaid grants. Nine grants were paid from the Bell Restoration Fund leaving a total of £33,200 in outstanding commitments.
There were no questions. The Treasurer proposed that the accounts be received and adopted. Seconded by James Kirkcaldy (Guild of Devonshire Ringers). This was accepted with no votes against or abstentions.
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Annual Report of the Executive and Workgroups for 2023 - May 2024
The President introduced the reports as printed in the meeting papers. She pointed out that these reports were based on the Workgroup structure pre-May 2024. She introduced the current Workgroup leads.
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Alistair Donaldson (Peterborough DG) asked for the sentence “Plans for the National Ringing Centre were finally and formally shelved, due to the gradual weakening of the original proposition and a lack of local support to run and maintain a ringing centre over the long term” to read “Plans for the National Ringing Centre were finally and formally shelved, due to the gradual weakening of the original proposition”. The President was happy for this modification to be made.
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Alistair Donaldson (Peterborough DG) expressed concern as to how the National Ringing Centre project was managed, the way in which the project was cancelled and how this cancellation was communicated to the affected parties involved. He asked how the Council would ensure that appropriate project management is in place so that future projects, such as Ringing 2030, did not suffer a similar fate. Mr Donaldson felt that the project should have been subject to independent review (i.e. by a Trustee not involved with the project).
Will Bosworth (Ringing World) asked if the meeting could be given a summary of the events leading to the cancellation of the project. The President asked for Council’s permission for Simon Linford to address the meeting. Mr Linford gave the meeting a summary of how the project started, who was involved and what the plans entailed. Due to charges in the Churches Conservation Trust, there were major changes to the project, which vastly reduced the size and scope it. It was eventually realised that what was going to emerge could not be called a National Ringing Centre. It was conceded that there was a lack of communication towards the end of the project.
Ian Roulstone (SRCY) was one of two trustees asked to review the project. He agreed that what was going to eventually emerge could not be called a National Ringing Centre. He did agree that the Executive needs to take into account the messages about project management.
Simon Dixon (Peterborough DG) agreed that the project had changed, but stated that we need to look forward, and ensure that communication issues to not occur again. The President said that she would take personal responsibility to ensure this would not happen in the future.
Alistair Donaldson (Peterborough DG) said he did not disagree with the decision, but needed much better communication, and asked again how the Executive are going to manage long term projects in the future. The President said the Executive will take action on this.
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Alison Hodge (Worcester & District) asked about the headings on the Publications stock lists. Barbara Wheeler (Fellow) clarified that the 2024 figures were included in the list, but the report was only for 2023.
The President proposed that the report be adopted. This was approved with one abstention.
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Forward Plan for 2025
The President introduced the forward plans for 2025, based on the published information regarding the 3 Pillars.
For 2025, the plans included:
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Pillar 1: Bring bell ringing to more events, a targeted marking campaign and to rollout school lesson plans.
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Pillar 2: Targeted recruitment campaigns, launch the marketing and recruitment portal, grow the young ringers’ hub, plan one more regional course and bite-size leadership and diversity training.
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Pillar 3: Bite sized technical knowledge, changing churches, central overhead provision, financial conference and professional engagement.
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Josephine Leggett (University of Bristol) asked about making information about personal safeguarding issues (autism, etc) available to other ringing organisations. Andrea Haynes (Ex-Officio) is looking at a project on neurodiversity for the Young Ringers Hub.
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Peter Harrison (ANZAB) reminded Council that jurisdictions outside England will have different requirements for safeguarding, insurance, etc. While the President agreed, it was pointed out that most of the 3 Pillars work can be applied internationally.
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Nick Elks (Peterborough DG) asked about the financial conference. The President gave a summary of the vision for the conference, as a chance to review bell ringing finance in general.
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Alison Hodge (Worcester and District) felt that the plans presented needed much more detail. She felt that the Workgroups lacked resources and volunteers.
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Clyde Whittaker (Ex-Officio) pointed out that the Council’s Safeguarding Officers had produced a number of tools for society safeguarding officers.
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Financial update for 2024 and outline General Fund budget for 2025
The Treasurer presented this item. There are currently two small societies, but this would increase to three in October. The General Fund would be in surplus when The Council’s legal obligations were considered, but when expenses for Workgroups and Ringing 2030 are considered, it was anticipated there will be a deficit of about £2,000. Receivable interest was estimated to be about £5,000. The library move had been completed, and the Council had made a payment of £1,528 for the move. Thirtyone:eight safeguarding support was available to affiliated societies, who were encouraged to use them. Payment to YellowYoYo this year amounted to £4,260, making a total spend with them of £25,075. Banners and flags had been purchased. The Essex Scout & Guide Jamboree was supported at a cost of £350.
For the outline budget for 2025 the expenditure has been split to show statutory obligations and concessionary spending for Workgroups and Ringing 2030. A website hosting budget of approximately £1,750 is due in 2025. There would be some spending from reserves in 2025, including Ringing 2030, purchase of a new Rolls of Honour Book (with thanks to those who had already contributed), reprinting of various publications and spending on the South West Course. A budget for these items was being compiled. The Executive is conscious of the need to spend wisely and would look carefully at the funding requests.
There were several questions:
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Nick Elks (Peterborough DG) Will there be any further spending on YellowYoYo, and have we had value for money? The President confirmed that there is no further spending. The spending was in three phases, on research, developing branding and collateral, and the deliverables (including logos, banners, etc) and the website design for the recruitment portal. The President considered the spending excellent value for money.
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Alistair Donaldson (Peterborough DG). How does the Executive authorise spending on high value and long-term commitments projects? The Treasurer stated that he was authorised to spend up to £500. Anything above that had to be approved by the Executive.
There is no upper limit under the current rules on the value the Executive can authorise.
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John Harrison (Oxford DG) made the point that the purpose of the CRAG report was to give the Executive powers, but it was the responsibility of the Council members to scrutinise the Executive. He felt this should be a constant process, not just at the AGM.
He encouraged Council members to read the monthly reports from Executive meetings and feedback responses to the Executive.
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David Kirkcaldy (Sussex CA) agreed with John Harrison regarding holding the Executive to account, but recommended that, if possible, questions could be submitted in advance, so the Executive have time to consider a complete answer, rather than being “put on the spot”.
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Election of Trustees
Treasurer: Fergus Stracey, proposed by Alena Wardle (Devonshire Guild), seconded by James Kirkcaldy (Devonshire Guild). Fergus was elected unopposed.
Ordinary Trustee: Peter Harrison, proposed by David Smith (ANZAB), seconded by James Blackburn (Beverley and District). Peter was elected unopposed.
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Election of Independent Examiners (2)
Duncan Walker was proposed by Fred Bone (Essex), seconded by John Harrison (Oxford DG).
Duncan was elected unopposed.
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Motions
Motion (A)
E de Legh-Runciman (Ex-Officio) proposed, C Whittaker (Ex-Officio) seconded:
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That with effect from the close of the 127th Council Meeting on 7th September 2024, all Council Stewards shall retire no later than at the end of the ninth Annual Council Meeting after their appointment or election (instead of the sixth Annual Council Meeting), but otherwise in accordance with the provisions of Standing Order W2.2. That the Council approves the future amendment of Standing Order W2.2 by the Executive to reflect the above change.
Clyde Whittaker spoke to the Motion. He mentioned that current standing orders limited officers and stewards’ roles to six years. However, stewards do not have an executive management role, but often there is an extended period of time to get into to the role. This extends the maximum term of office for stewards to nine years. But it was noted that the Council could further extend the term if needed.
Graham John (Oxford DG) asked, if it is recognised that stewards are often the country’s leading experts in their field, why is there a nine-year limit? Clyde Whittaker replied that it is to allow new stewards to come forward, but pointed out that the Council can extend the time limit.
The Council approved the motion, with 3 against and 3 abstentions.
Motion (B)
Paul Wotton (Bath & Wells Association) proposed, and Ian Roulstone (Society of Royal Cumberland Youths) seconded:
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Change Standing Order F1.1 to: The Annual Subscription for each Affiliated Society shall be £0.40 per member of that Society based on its Society Membership. This change to come into force on 1st January 2025.
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Change Standing Order F1.1 to: The Annual Subscription for each Affiliated Society shall be £1.00 per member of that Society based on its Society Membership. This change to come into force on 1st January 2026.
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The Executive are requested to create a new Standing Order aimed at ensuring visibility in the statement of accounts of the Council for the year ended 31st December previous, required at the ACM by Rule 6.1 b) (2), of how the Council has performed as a charity.
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The Executive are requested to create a new Standing Order aimed at ensuring visibility in the Executive’s forward plan and budget for the next year, required at the ACM by Rule 6.1 b) (3), of how sustainable the finances of Council are, and how it plans to use funds to further its objects.
Paul Wotton (Bath & Wells) spoke to the Motion. He explained about being able to justify the spending to implement the aims of the Council as a charity. This meant spending money. Paul summarised what the Council already did but recognised we do have some communication issues. He said that we are not doing the job we have been mandated to do. To do the job properly, we needed money. We needed to spend it on facilities, better documentation creation and possibly paid staff to take the load off the volunteers. He proposed the Motion.
Ian Roulstone (SRCY) put forward several points. The Council needed sustainable working capital. New opportunities and horizons were opening up, but would need more financial planning. The new Council structure was designed to seek opportunities but did need resources. He explained there were ample procedures in the rules and standing orders for the Executive to declare what and how things were happening, and how the money was being spent. From a personal background, he thought there were ways and means for societies to provide the funds, but societies (especially university societies) did need an excellent return for their investment. He pointed out that if accepting this Motion, it could be modified in future if the Executive had not implemented their plans. He seconded the Motion.
Josephine Leggett (University of Bristol): Agreed that university societies are valuable in ringing. It was noted that alumni do not pay towards their society, and any increase would fall on the student body. She asked if there could be any scope for a reduction for student societies. The President said that this may be possible under standing orders.
David Kirkcaldy (Sussex Association): Strongly supported the Motion. Sussex Association members felt the increase to £1.00 subscription should come into effect immediately. He asked the members in attendance when did they last talk to the members of their societies about the Council and what services it provided?
Robert Perry (Truro Guild): This comes down to a question of trust with the Executive to use the money wisely and transparently.
Jim Crabtree (Southwell and Notts) was concerned that if this motion was passed, that there would be an inference that there would not be a need to increase subscriptions in the future.
Annie Hall (Coventry DG): Concerned that we are going to get value for money
David Smith (ANZAB): Could the Executive ask societies if they wanted to start paying £1.00 straight away. He suggested that university societies, to avoid complicated rule changes, be charged the full amount, and the increased proportion be returned to them in the form of a grant. The President indicated that this is one of the options being considered.
Jane Wilkinson (SRCY): Spoke of the Council being an umbrella, and people underneath the umbrella do not really need to know the full structure above them but do need to know they are protected. However, the territorial associations were very important. The CRAG report was now set in stone, but the stone was weathering well. She felt the Executive was doing wise things, but hoped that we could put the £1.00 on hold for a few years until we have some identifiable progress.
Jon Rose (Clerical Guild): The Clerical Guild was very supportive of the Council, and recognised the need for additional resources, but they had an ageing membership, with no subscriptions.
Tristan Lockheart (Leeds University): They accepted the proposal but said they do not have the resources from their active membership. He pointed out that £1.00 a member is not a lot of money. He also commented that some of the information Council members are requesting would put an extra workload on the existing volunteers of the Council.
Peter Scott (Yorkshire Association): All ringers know that £1.00 is good value when given to the Council, but societies need to convince members to supply the money. He suggested that societies only pay for members who are in active affiliation with the society.
Andrew Slade (Yorkshire Association): We have to think about employing people to pick up the gaps where the volunteer work is falling down. He felt we needed to improve communications, in both directions.
Richard Smith (Cambridge University Guild): His Guild would struggle to find the funds for the £1.00 subscription, as they do not have the infrastructure to collect such funds from members, but did support the concept of increased funding for the Council. They felt that there was not enough information in the forward plans as to where the funds would be spent. However, the Council cannot run at a deficit.
An amendment was proposed:
Proposed by Richard Smith (Cambridge University Guild). Seconded by Andrew Wilby (ASCY)
Andrew Wilby (ASCY) felt it was unprofessional to not produce a business plan to support the proposal.
Nick Elks (Peterborough DG) felt we should trust the Council but urged the Executive to publish a robust business plan.
Linda Garton (Bedfordshire Association): Should the word Territorial be added? She withdrew her comments on the response of the meeting.
The President put the amendment to Motion (B) to the vote.
For the amendment: 50 Against: 55 Abstentions: 10 The amendment failed.
Kate Flavell (Surrey Association) then asked that the Motion now be put.
The President put Motion (B) to the vote:
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Change Standing Order F1.1 to: The Annual Subscription for each Affiliated Society shall be £0.40 per member of that Society based on its Society Membership. This change to come into force on 1st January 2025.
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Change Standing Order F1.1 to: The Annual Subscription for each Affiliated Society shall be £1.00 per member of that Society based on its Society Membership. This change to come into force on 1st January 2026.
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The Executive are requested to create a new Standing Order aimed at ensuring visibility in the statement of accounts of the Council for the year ended 31st December previous, required at the ACM by Rule 6.1 b) (2), of how the Council has performed as a charity.
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The Executive are requested to create a new Standing Order aimed at ensuring visibility in the Executive’s forward plan and budget for the next year, required at the ACM by Rule 6.1 b) (3), of how sustainable the finances of Council are, and how it plans to use funds to further its objects
For the motion: 87 Against: 26 Abstentions: 5 The motion was carried.
Mary Bone (Essex Association) urged the Executive to supply more information, especially when it came to changes to Standing Orders, and would like to see affiliated societies treated equally.
The President added it would be beneficial to have help with financial planning and asked for experienced and informed volunteers to contact her.
Paul Wotton (Bath and Wells) added that assistance with project planning should be considered.
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Future meetings
Andrew Slade (Yorkshire Association) gave brief details about the 2025 Council meeting in Sheffield, to be held over the weekend on 5th-7th Sept 2025.
Annie Hall (Coventry DG) invited the Council to Rugby in 2026.
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Any other business
Will Bosworth (Ringing World): This is the third time that discussion on a major topic has been limited due to time constraints and asked if the meeting structure could be reviewed.
Anthony Ellis (Hereford Guild): Expressed his concern that the Church had not been mentioned in the discussion and asked if there were still links between the Executive and senior figures of the Church of England. He was directed to the report in the meeting papers.
The President thanked Carol Franklin and Clyde Whittaker for their work for the Council.
Certificates and gifts were presented.
The appointment of the new library stewards, Andrew Aspland and Sue Marsden was noted.
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Vote of Thanks
Elizabeth Tennant (Worcester and District) proposed a vote of thanks. She thanked Doug Davis (booking form and data collection), Colin Chapman (programme booklets), Phillip Green (printing), Dave Richards (technical), Tim Bayton, Charlotte Boyce and John Martin of the Guild of Devonshire Ringers, to all the towers for accommodating ringing, the CCCBR Executive and to the staff of West Exe School.
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Meeting attendance
The attendance figures are shown at the end of these minutes.
The following members of the Council were present at the meeting, having indicated their presence by signing the roll: