GLASGOW HUMANE SOCIETY Annual General Meeting Committee Room 8, City Chambers, Glasgow Present Directors 6 June 2014 11.00am Mr John Park Mr Jim Moffat Mr Kenneth S G Fish Mr David B Wilson Mr Jan de Vries Bailie Nina Baker Cllr Frank McAveety Chairman, Glasgow Humane Society Vice-Chairman, Glasgow Humane Society Hon. Treasurer, Glasgow Humane Society Hon. Secretary, Glasgow Humane Society Director, Glasgow Humane Society Director, Glasgow Humane Society Director, Glasgow Humane Society Attending Mr Martin Booth Mr John Brown Inspector Angela Carty Station Commander Archie Curran Dr Stephanie Dancer Mr David Russell Mrs Elaine de Vries Mrs Moira Fish Mr Cameron Grant Mrs Marion B Jones Mr Seamus Keating Mr William Middleton Mr Colin Munn Mrs Evelyn Park Mr Jamie Park Miss Ann Parsonage Mr Benjamin Parsonage Mr George Parsonage Mr Donald Reid Mrs Kathryn Reid Mrs Christine Taggart Mr Sandy Taggart Mrs Elizabeth Thomson Mr John Thomson Mr Charles Westwood Mr Raymond M Williamson Director of Finance, Glasgow Life Police Scotland Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Land & Environmental Services, Glasgow City Council Financial Services, Glasgow City Council Volunteer, Glasgow Humane Society Officer, Glasgow Humane Society Member & Examiner, Glasgow Humane Society Lord Dean of Guild, Merchants House of Glasgow Page 1 of 7
Apologies Mr Tom Allison Mr Tom A Hara Prof Robert L Ashford Captain Ron Bailey Chief Superintendent Andrew Bates Mr Richard Brown Mr Stephen Crichton Mr Chris Dalrymple Mrs Sadie Docherty Mr Neil Farnell Mr Matt Horton Mr Terry Hunter Mr Charles R W Jamieson Mr Jeffrey Jesner Mrs Janell Kelly Mr Thomas Kelly Mrs Eileen Logan Mrs Margaret MacKay Mr Douglas McAllister Dr Bridget McConnell Prof Sir Jim McDonald Mr Graeme McGrath Mrs Sandra McGruther Mr Chris McKendry Mr Duncan McNeil Mr Dominic McVey Mr Robert Morris Mr Kenneth Naylor Mr Christopher Parsonage Mr James Robertson Mr Kenneth Sandford Mr Callum Sutherland Councillor Alison Thewliss Mr Bruce Thomson Mrs Una Walker Mr Andy G Watt Chairman, Peel Holdings Clydeport Operations Limited Police Scotland Executive Direct of DRS, Glasgow City Council Head of Corporate Finance, Glasgow City Council Land & Environmental Services, Glasgow City Council Lord Provost, Glasgow City Council Resilience Officer, Glasgow City Council Corporate Member, Clyde Marine Training Provost, South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Member, Clydeport Operations Limited Provost, West Dunbartonshire Council Chief Executive, Glasgow Life Corporate Member, University of Strathclyde Corporate Member, Aquatron Dive Centre Corporate Member, Crowne Plaza Hotel Corporate Member, Scottish Water Provost, North Lanarkshire Council Glasgow City Council Provost, East Dunbartonshire Council 1. Apologies for Absence Mr Tom Allison Mr Tom A Hara Prof Robert L Ashford Captain Ron Bailey Chief Superintendent Andrew Bates Mr Richard Brown Mr Stephen Crichton Mr Chris Dalrymple Chairman, Peel Holdings Clydeport Opertions Limited Police Scotland Executive Direct of DRS, Glasgow City Council Head of Corporate Finance, Glasgow City Council Land & Environmental Services, Glasgow City Council Page 2 of 7
Mrs Sadie Docherty Mr Neil Farnell Mr Matt Horton Mr Terry Hunter Mr Charles R W Jamieson Mr Jeffrey Jesner Mrs Janell Kelly Mr Thomas Kelly Mrs Eileen Logan Mrs Margaret MacKay Mr Douglas McAllister Dr Bridget McConnell Prof Sir Jim McDonald Mr Graeme McGrath Mrs Sandra McGruther Mr Chris McKendry Mr Duncan McNeil Mr Dominic McVey Mr Robert Morris Mr Kenneth Naylor Mr Christopher Parsonage Mr James Robertson Mr Kenneth Sandford Mr Callum Sutherland Councillor Alison Thewliss Mr Bruce Thomson Mrs Una Walker Mr Andy G Watt Lord Provost, Glasgow City Council Resilience Officer, Glasgow City Council Corporate Member, Clyde Marine Training Provost, South Lanarkshire Council Corporate Member, Clydeport Operations Limited Provost, West Dunbartonshire Council Chief Executive, Glasgow Life Corporate Member, University of Strathclyde Corporate Member, Aquatron Dive Centre Corporate Member, Crowne Plaza Hotel Corporate Member, Scottish Water Provost, North Lanarkshire Council Glasgow City Council Provost, East Dunbartonshire Council 2. Minute of Annual General Meeting held on 21/06/13 The Minute of 21/06/13 was agreed 3. Report by Chairman The Chairman introduced himself and the other members of the Board including the positions that they hold. He said that we were in a transitional year due to the election of a new Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. He continued by referring to the new Constitution that is now in place. He explained the change to the legal status of the Glasgow Humane Society and its eventual acceptance as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OCSR). He stated that it had been a very busy year for the Society and that a great deal of the Directors time had been taken up with preparation of various documents required by OSCR. His regret was that we were not quiet yet home and dry. He then welcomed an officer from Police Scotland and also one from the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service. He stated that the Society knows its place within these services and also other services such as Land & Environmental, Development & Regeneration and Glasgow Life. Page 3 of 7
He spoke about George Parsonage and the day to day diary in which he records everything that he does. He said that the diary is now available on disc format from 2007 onwards and anyone can have a copy if they so wish. He said that there is nothing different this year from any other year. He mentioned and thanked the select group of volunteers who help Mr Parsonage out when required and without them he would not be able to concentrate on other important tasks. He gave a special mention to Mr Parsonage s family for their continued support for him and, in particular, he thanked Dr Dancer for her support for Mr Parsonage. 4. Report by Honorary Secretary The Honorary Secretary, David B Wilson, started by introducing himself. He then gave an update on the membership, advising that the Society has 45 individual members and 7 corporate members. However, he added that the Society is always looking to recruit new members. He spoke about the Special General Meeting held on 6/11/13 in respect of changes to Articles 4 and 11.5 of the new Constitution. This was followed by a change to Article 3 of the Constitution in April 2014. He concluded by advising that our application to change to a SCIO has been accepted, in principle, by OSCR. 5. Report by Honorary Treasurer and Adoption of Annual Accounts The Honorary Treasurer, Kenneth S G Fish, introduced himself as the new boy on the block. He then referred to the Report and Accounts to 31/01/14 and said that he was very happy to report that the Income at the year end is 45,102 and the Expenditure is 35,810 leaving a surplus of 9,292. He added that the Society s financial affairs are in the capable hands of Bill Middleton. He wanted it put on record his thanks to Mr Middleton for his efforts in the past year and also his gratitude to Glasgow City Council. Mr Middleton proceeded to relate some of the other financial information to the meeting. The Honorary Treasurer asked if anyone had any questions regarding the accounts. There were no questions asked. The Chairman stated that people may wonder why we have accumulated such a large sum of money. However, he explained that most of it is ring fenced for specific purchases. The purpose of the Riverman Appeal was to raise much needed funds to replace equipment and fund other operational requirements. Now we can go ahead with these using some of the accumulated funds. We are also seeking full time support for Mr Parsonage within a week or two. His ambition is to have a full time and also a part time officer within two to three years and this will release some of Mr Parsonage s time. The accumulated funds in excess of 100,000 will reduce by the next AGM and if a third of it is left then he will be happy. The Chairman advised that 80% of the Society s funding comes from Glasgow City Council. However, we need financial support from out with the Council. Page 4 of 7
The Chairman then sought approval of the Accounts and this was forthcoming. The Chairman concluded by thanking Mr Middleton for all of his efforts in the past. He showed his and the other Board members gratitude and appreciation by presenting Mr Middleton with a card. 6. Election of Chairman The meeting unanimously agreed to re-appoint Mr John B Park as Chairman. 7. Election of Vice Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer The meeting unanimously agreed to re-appoint Mr Jim Moffat as Vice-Chairman, Mr David B Wilson as Honorary Secretary and Mr Kenneth S G Fish as Honorary Treasurer. 8. Election of Directors and Composition of the Board The meeting unanimously agreed to re-appoint Jan de Vries, Bailie Nina Baker and Councillor Frank McAveety as Directors and agreed the composition of the Board. 9. Resolution to Permit Co-option of Additional Directors The meeting unanimously agreed to allow the Chairman to co-opt additional Directors. 10. Appointment of Examiner A G Taggart & Company Limited was re-appointed as the Society s independent Examiner. 11. Report and Presentation by the Glasgow Humane Society Office The Society Officer presented a brief overview of the operational activities of the Society over the past year. He said that 2014 has been an interesting year with so much work taking place on the river and river banks towards where the Commonwealth Games will take place and its legacy thereafter. He added that the Society continues to forward its ideals of prevention and safety around the Greater Glasgow waterways. Due to the great increase in development in areas in close proximity to those waterways, an independent voice for the River Clyde and other waterways is more than ever needed. With the increase in sport on the main waterway, much time is spent looking after the safety of those involved. Page 5 of 7
The Society continues to give event safety cover, attend meetings, assist with searches and carry out rescues, run water safety courses and give talks and presentations. In addition to this, general day to day safety work and upkeep and maintenance still needs to be carried out. The Society also works closely with the media to promote safety. Mr Parsonage stated that the Society s close relationship with Glasgow City Council continues and he is delighted with the safety output of the Water Safety Group, founded by Glasgow Humane Society and chaired by Land & Environmental Services. There is also the continual updating of the GPS waterway system/lifebelt positions in conjunction with Police Scotland. As secondary responders to flooding for the Strathclyde Emergencies Co-ordination Group, craft and equipment are kept in a state of readiness at all times. Mr Parsonage advised the meeting that the Society s Web and Facebook sites give, among other things, safety advice, up to date warnings, events on the river, historical information and a photographic gallery. He ended by thanking Directors, Council Officials, Lifeguards, Friends and, of course, his family for all their help and support during the year. He also mentioned and thanked Colin Munn for his help and support. The Chairman thanked George for his very informative update. He asked if anyone from Police Scotland and Scottish Fire & Rescue wanted to make any comments. Inspector Carty from Police Scotland stated that Mr Parsonage is very well known and members of the public will continue to chap his door for help. She added that Police Scotland accept that George is there. Station Commander Curran added that George s advice is invaluable. The Vice Chairman asked Mr Parsonage what he thought life will be like during the Commonwealth Games. Mr Parsonage said that this has been addressed during an interview by the media but it s yet to be aired. He added that the young people, Ben, Jamie and Cameron are a fantastic benefit to the Society. The Chairman also stated that at least two of them have won silver medals for sculling. The Chairman also mentioned Mr Parsonage s sisters, Ann and Elizabeth, and thanked them for their input and support to the Society and Mr Parsonage. 12. Any Other Relevant Business The Chairman advised the Members that they will need to approve one final requirement in order to finalise the Society s registration with OSCR. In involves two resolutions which will be issued to them by e-mail and one or two by post. Before winding up the meeting, the Chairman asked the representatives from Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue and Councils departments to introduce themselves. This included Inspector Carty, Station Commander Curran, Martin Booth from Glasgow Life and David Russell, representing Brian Devlin, from Land & Environmental Services. He hoped that they would be able to attend the Civic Reception and lunch. Page 6 of 7
The Chairman concluded by thanking fellow Directors for their support because without it there would be no Glasgow Humane Society. He gave his heartfelt thanks to Mr Parsonage and his family and the volunteers for their support. He also thanked Glasgow City Council as, without their financial support, the Society would have been wound up before now. If they lose faith in the Society then so would we. He also thanked Kate Reid for her assistance and support during the year. Page 7 of 7