MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY 24 JULY 2007 AT MOTOR SPORTS HOUSE, COLNBROOK (by kind permission of the Motor Sports Association)Present:
Julian Ghosh (in the chair) Tony Beadle Jacqueline Bickerstaff
John Billard David Davies Colin Francis
Sandy Hamilton David Hurley Henry Lawson
Rosy Pugh Mike YoungIn attendance:
Derek Grossmark (vice president) Geoff Smith (vice president) Jim Whyman (secretary)Before the meeting started, Derek Grossmark expressed concern at the low level of attendance at recent
meetings, leading to two inquorate meetings in the past year and to two more which had been delayed
due to too few being present at the intended start time. There was general agreement that this was not a
satisfactory position although everyone recognised that it was impractical to expect everyone to attend all
meetings, especially if they also served on the legislation team.All present agreed that they would try to advise the secretary in good time if they were unable to attend so
that if it became apparent a quorum might not be achieved, there would be time for alternative
arrangements to be made.A FBHVC Board meeting - see separate minutes
1. Apologies for absence
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Andrew Burt and Tim Holt.
2. Notes of meeting of 22 May 2007
The notes of the informal meeting of 22 May 2007 were signed as accurate. The earlier Board meeting had accepted the recommendations of the informal meeting in respect of the budget for the current financial year and had also approved the text of the proposed new articles of association. The meeting agreed that the remaining items in the notes should stand as if there had been a quorum present.
3. Matters arising from previous meeting
Following the recommendation of the last meeting not to proceed with organising a relay event highlighting some of the main stopping points of the 1000 Mile Trial, Henry Lawson suggested that the Drive It Day initiative could usefully be focussed towards encouraging younger people into older vehicles, and invited those present to quote examples of any positive efforts to encourage the young that might show the way forward. The National Traction Engine Trust’s “Steam Apprentice” scheme and TR Register’s initiatives to encourage youngsters (such as days when the young are given the opportunity to drive TRs, or having occasional open evenings when members are encouraged to give rides). Tony Beadle said that some US clubs worked on the principle that people always remember the first car they drive, so encourage early driving of classics. Julian Ghosh said the VSCC experience showed interest in old vehicles is not something that can be fostered remotely - it must be experienced. Consequently the activity must be enough fun to get the youngsters to come along, then they can be shown what old vehicles are all about.
Henry Lawson said he would incorporate such ideas into his presentation to follow the AGM and would also consider what FBHVC might do in the way of providing guidelines to clubs concerned about child protection and health and safety issues.
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4. Legislation update
David Hurley commented that it had been relatively quiet on the legislative front: the drivers’ hours legislation had eventually gone through as expected and the only new matter was a low-key DVLA consultation on removing loop-holes from the regulations governing the supply of number plates. This would provide an opportunity to comment again on the unreasonable ban on making replacement number plates for 1973 to 2001 vehicles that were an identical match to those originally fitted.
It was noted that Graham Stringer MP had agreed to withdraw his controversial Off Road Vehicle (Registration) Bill.
5. All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicle Group
Geoff Smith and David Hurley reported on the routine liaison meeting with the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicle Group that had taken place at the end of June. It had been a worthwhile meeting with more politicians attending than usual. Topics discussed ranged from the Low Emission Zone for London to a return to a rolling date for the historic vehicle tax exemption and included the need for an introduction to the appropriate section within the United Nations in order to foster stronger heritage links.
It was noted that since that meeting, the political team at the Department for Transport had changed. The secretary said he had written to Dr Stephen Ladyman to thank him for his support during his period in office (and had had a pleasant hand-written acknowledgement). He had also written to introduce FBHVC to the new team at DfT (comprising Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport; Rosie Winterton, Minister of State; and Jim Fitzgerald, Under Secretary of State). Dr. Ladyman’s specific areas of responsibility had been divided between Rosie Winterton and Jim Fitzgerald.
There had also been changes at the Treasury. The secretary said he had written to Angela Eagle, the new Exchequer Secretary at the Treasury with responsibility for excise duties, with copies of the unanswered correspondence he had sent to John Healey, her predecessor, at the end of April on the need for a return to a rolling date for the VED exemption.
6. FIVA
David Davies reported that since the untimely demise of Richard Sanders, the only evidence of activity in FIVA appeared to be the monthly reports from EPPA. David confirmed that a date had been set for the General Assembly, but no more details had yet been made available.
7. Annual General Meeting Elections
The probability of new articles of association being adopted just before the 2007 AGM meant it was necessary to be prepared with nominations for election under both new and existing articles. The new articles required the committee to nominate candidates for election to key positions.
At the 22 May meeting, Andrew Burt had stated his intention to step down as chairman at the 2007 AGM. Given that during previous discussions on the subject, no-one had expressed any desire to become chairman, Geoff Smith said that as vice president he had felt it incumbent on him to look for a suitable person from outside the existing committee. Chris Hunt-Cooke, retired accountant and senior lay-magistrate, who was also a director of the MG Car Club and chairman of the Historic Rally Car Register, had agreed to do the job if elected. Julian Ghosh commented that his period as a director of the VSCC would end early in 2008, and he was thus now in a position to become chairman and would be keen to do so. Julian said he had spoken with Chris by phone, and both had said they would serve as deputy to the other. Those present felt it inappropriate to make a choice without having met Chris Hunt-Cooke.
The meeting agreed the following:-
A. If the new articles are adopted
1. The committee would cease to exist and all existing directors would resign, whether by usual
rotation or by letter of resignation.
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7. Annual General Meeting Elections (contd)
2. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu would be nominated for election to the office of president.
Chris Hunt-Cooke and Julian Ghosh would be nominated for election to the offices of chairman and deputy chairman, with the decision as to who should be nominated for which being deferred to the committee meeting at Beaulieu on 7 September. It was agreed that Chris Hunt-Cooke and all current committee members should be invited to attend a meeting of the legislation committee on Wednesday 22 August at Didcot to give everyone the chance to meet Chris in advance of the Beaulieu meeting.
David Hurley would be nominated as director with responsibility for monitoring legislation.
It was agreed that those nominated by the committee should also arrange to be nominated by a club.3. The new articles call for directors with specific responsibilities. The meeting considered these in turn and those present indicated their intentions as follows:-
i Budgets, Finance & Planning: Mike Young said he would be standing for this position
ii Heritage matters: Geoff Smith reported that Eri Heilijgers had said he would stand
iii Communications: Rosy Pugh said she would like to stand, but was in a difficult position as she had applied for the secretarial position (which would preclude directorship) but did not know if she was likely to be appointed.
iv International Relations: Andrew Burt had said at the 22 May meeting that he would like to stand for this position.
v Liaison with event organisers: Colin Francis said he would be standing.
vi Liaison with traders: the secretary said that Tony Scales (who had attended the 22 May meeting) had said he was willing to stand as a director, but it was not yet certain he was qualified to do so as he did not appear to be a member of any club.Sandy Hamilton said he was not intending to seek re-election at the AGM anyway, and was hoping to pass his DVLA responsibilities on to a successor in the near future. Jacqueline Bickerstaff and John Billard did not intend to stand for election as directors, but wished to continue to serve on the legislation team. David Davies, Henry Lawson and Tony Beadle said they would like to continue to
serve, but did not specify in which capacity.B. If the new articles are rejected
Tony Beadle, Jacqueline Bickerstaff, Andrew Burt, David Davies, Colin Francis, Sandy Hamilton and Tim Holt are due to retire by rotation. It was agreed that if they wish to stand for re-election in the event that the new articles are rejected, they should arrange for nominations to be with the secretary by 31 August.
8. Arrangements for Beaulieu meeting/dinner
The usual arrangements had been made for the stand at Beaulieu, and for the committee meeting. It was understood that Greg Knight had invited MEP Timothy Kirkhope to speak. The dinner would be held at the Beaulieu Road Inn, at one end of a public restaurant, which could make speaking difficult. It was agreed that the usual £25 per head contribution would be expected from committee members and their personal guests. Menus for the dinner had been distributed and the secretary said he would be asking for numbers and choices during the second half of August.
9. Other matters - None.
………….…………………………….. Chairman P H J Whyman, Secretary.
Dates of remaining 2007 meetings:
Wednesday, 22 August, Legislation Committee meeting - TR Register HQ, Didcot
Friday, 7 September, John Montagu Building, Beaulieu
Saturday, 13 October, Annual General Meeting, R R E C
Sunday, 18 November, The George, Dorchester on Thames
[Sunday, 20 January 2007 – venue not decided
Tuesday, 19 March 2007 – venue not decided]