Page 37 - ALG Issue 3 2019
P. 37

 National Allotment Society AGM 8 June 2019
St Georges Hotel, Llandudno, Wales
 President Phil Gomersall welcomed delegates to the meeting and gave
a short slide presentation about his role over the preceding year. He has been very busy and amongst the
many events he attended were: our patron Prince Charles’ Countryside Parade at the Royal Cornwall Show, Gardeners World Live 2018, speaking about allotments at the Parliamentary Evidence Week, innumerable radio interviews for National Allotments Week 2018 including national radio, attending International Allotments Federation meetings that he feels have greatly improved, local shows such
as Rotherham, attending the Judicial Review for Cemetery Rd Allotments, and the annual training/networking meeting at Hothorpe for NAS staff and volunteers.
Apologies were received from Mike Brannigan, Northern Mentor and Dave Morris (NW Region).
OBITUARIES:
Peter Lofts – Honorary Life President, East Midlands Region
David Empson – Life Member, Eastern Region
Trevor Taylor – Honorary Life President, Eastern Region
The delegates then spent a minute in silence to remember Tony Heeson,
National Allotment Society Chairman who sadly died on Monday 3 June 2019.
Ron Jones, Chair of the Governance Committee addressed the delegates and summarised the Annual Report. It was gratifying to see that a significant number of regional committees had adopted the recommendation of the Governance Committee in adopting the new constitution. He reminded
the meeting that the Governance Committee may present at any time a recommendation that, in order to expedite the business of the meeting, the time limits for speeches are shortened. The committee also recommends that there should be
a statement included in the Annual Report from the Treasurer. It was also recommended that a statement from the Company Secretary be included.
The Report and Proceedings from the 2018 AGM were accepted – proposed by Neil Dixon, seconded by Steve Clements.
Steve asked that an amendment be made to the Financial Statement to show that he did not resign as Regional Rep; he completed his term of office and did not stand again.
John Irwin, Vice-Chair addressed the delegates and welcomed them
The delegates then spent a minute in silence to remember Tony Heeson, National Allotment Society Chairman who sadly died on Monday 3 June 2019
to the conference. He also thanked Tony Heeson for his statesman-like chairmanship over the last 5 years. This year has seen the new National Constitution adopted, and the Regional Constitution created, which is now in place in many regions. An Association Code of Practice is now available to all our member associations, based on the Nolan Principles of public life. The staff at Corby, the representatives and mentors around the country work hard to satisfy the huge range of items that come into Head Office and the regions. Many problems on sites are caused
by misunderstandings and different interpretations of the rules, and a lack of allotment officers. “Can I keep birds on my plot?” “Yes, you are allowed
to keep fowl.” “Grand! Unload that ostrich!”
On top of their normal work-load the office staff have also been involved in the adoption of a whole new computer system, which we are told will be far more powerful and user friendly than the old one, but it still needs to be learnt. Thank you to the staff for that extra work. The building itself at Corby has been extended; the expense will pay for itself in the long run and has the potential to earn income.
As a National Body, we continue to fight against the closure of allotment
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