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AGM
Our Structure
The NAS Management Committee consists of an elected Regional Representative from each of our eleven regions, each person serves for a period of three years and then has the opportunity to be re-elected by the membership in the region
for a second and third term. The Management Committee include a range of expertise and normally meet in person bi-monthly. Since mid-April the Committee meet weekly, again on zoom and since July have now agreed to meet fortnightly on zoom.
Management Committee Selection and Training
When a Management Committee position becomes available it is for the Region to put forward a Nomination
for a person to fill the role. This normally takes place during the Autumn and under the NAS Standards and Procedures all nominations and motions do have to reach Head Office by the 2nd January each year.
Governance committee
The NAS Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the rules, standards, procedures and constitution as to how NAS conducts its business. One of its main recent activities has been to bring the constitutions of
the regions into line with the parent organisation.
Structure
The Governance Committee members are appointed at the AGM but does have the facility to co-opt members as necessary.
Meetings
The Governance Committee meets as required to deal with appropriate business. In general, it meets in the early part of the year to deal with nominations and motions and later in the year to discuss arrangements for the AGM, this year we held one early meeting and another one by Zoom.
TREASURERS REPORT
I have thoroughly enjoyed my first year as Treasurer and involvement with colleagues on the Management Committee. The role of Treasurer is a vital one with financial implications underpinning many of the decisions made at Committee level, not only in the general running of the NAS but its investment in future projects and
plans to enhance member benefits. The Committee keep a stringent check on finances by reviewing performance against budget at all its meetings.
I would like to personally thank Liz McInally at Head Office for her support in producing information and looking after the day to day running.
The accounts for the year ended
31 January 2020 show that the Organisation is in a sound financial position. Affiliation fees and the Seed Scheme commission have held up
well which is key for an organisation which depends on membership income to fund its work. A healthy surplus is evident which has been helped by a legacy and the annual revaluation of
its investment portfolio showing over
a 7% increase. Whilst the approach to investments is a cautious one the value can go down as well as up and the current Covid 19 crisis may well have an adverse effect on next year’s valuation.
We recently changed provider for Allotmenteers Liability Insurance with a considerable saving. There are over 25000 sign-ups and we are hoping this will pay for itself in the short term.
Jeff Davies, Treasurer presented the accounts
MarkSimmons –Queriedsome aspects of the treasurers report re audit / inspection and asked why on page 6
of final accounts as a Co-operative why does this does not make reference to the Co-operative Community Benefit Societies Act 2014?
Nigel Steele from MHA LLP stated this will be added.
A healthy surplus is evident which has been helped by a legacy and the annual revaluation of its investment portfolio showing over a 7% increase
Second question related to accounts not listed on FCA.
LB stated she was aware of this situation, and had recently been speaking to the FCA. All AR30 returns have been completed by NAS and sent to our Accountants for the financial statements to be added again
Nigel Steele stated this was been dealt with and should be updated soon.
Vote for adoption of inspected accounts 19/20- accepted
Vote for present accountancy firm to be retained- accepted
Vote for approval of inspected accounts rather than audited accounts - accepted
Nominations
The candidates below were nominated and elected for the following roles
Office Nominations
President Treasurer
Phil Gomersall Jeff Davies
3 Years 2 Years
2 Years 3 Years 1 Years 2 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years
2 Years 1 Years 2 Years
Regional Representatives
Northern
East Midlands Wales Yorkshire Eastern London
West Midlands
Glen March Paul Howgill Judith Hill Mike Farrell Ray How Martyn Daniels Tom Terrence
Governance Committee
Paul Merryweather Libby Earle Alastair Watson
The meeting closed at 11.15am.
36 Allotment and Leisure Gardener