PD opened the meeting by describing the format in which the AGM will be delivered. The first part will be formal and incorporate the statutory requirements, the second part will be informal where questions from the floor would be welcomed.
CHAIRMANS REPORT
This was split into two sections, as there were two different chairs during the period ;
A NORRIS
Tony’s tenure saw major changes within the playing management of the club, with Andy King leaving, to be replaced by Iffy Onura.
The Trust develops the campaign for the redevelopment of the County Ground, through liason with local residents and Swindon Council
The "KEEP TOWN IN SWINDON" campaign is launched
P DAVIS
Paul delivered a chronological report of the major activities since his appointment to chair ;
Picking up on the work on the CG redevelopment, a proposal was due for publication June/July/August, which was a framework proposal for a community sports hub. This was presented to the board of STFC in June and was well received verbally from the board. The decision to publish this was delayed for the summer to coincide with the Councils leisure review.
September approached and the events of the 27th forged the foundation of a Consortium to find funding with a view to taking a controlling interest in the club.
The redevelopment proposals were finally published in December 2006. The late timing of this was a balanced judgement as we did not want the CG redevelopment to become a political pawn.
From this point the thrust of the redevelopment was overshadowed by Consortium activity.
PD then elaborated on the events surrounding Bill Powers involvement with the club, and alongside the appointment of a new management team brought renewed optimism throughout the fan base.
There were rumours during late August/early September of a rift developing at boardroom level which unfortunately was later confirmed.
In July it became apparent that Bill Power could not work with key members of the current
board, who also raised objections to working with Mark Devlin. The issue
was left unresolved after a board meeting a few days before the start of
the season - sadly as we all know, the plane crash happened a few days
later, making it impossible for a resolution to be arrived at quickly.
This later led to a full rift between Bill P/Mark D and the rest of the
board
In December 2006 the "Orange Revoloution" was instigated and all credit must be given to Rob Henderson for his idea and coordination to instigate the campaign.
PD concluded by stating that the current membership had rose to 949, a sterling effort by all concerned and an indicative sign of the dissatisfaction from the fan base in the off field running of the club.
TREASURERS REPORT
AJ presented the accounts for the period upto and including 31st August 2006, demonstrating that a £7516.00 profit had been achieved.
The accounts were voted on by the members present and unanimously approved.
Thanks were given to Peter Osbourne for the compliation of the accounts.
ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS
PD introduced Gavin Mapstone from Bristol City Supporters Trust, who had kindly agreed to be the independent returning officer for these elections.
There were a total of ten candidates standing for eight vacant board positions. Each candidate had issued a personal statement, that had been available for members to read both on line and by request, hard copy.
The results of the election were delivered and the new board will consist of
- P Davis
- A Norris
- P Wardell
- A Hounsell
- A Jones
- A Hayward
- A Ratcliffe
- I Huddy
PD thanked the unsuccessful candidates but recognised the skills that they could bring to the Trust and committed to involve them directly into working parties that would take shape over the forthcoming months.
PD explained the role that A Tuck played as Secretary and why this position was non electable. Whilst the Secretary was an official of the Trust he sat outside the board and his duties are to ensure that the board act in line with the constitution and rules of the Trust and guidelines laid down by the F.S.A..
The Secretary is directly appointed by the members of the board.
RULE AMENDMENTS
AT explained that we would be proposing a rule change for the Trust and the reasoning behind the change
The majority of Supporters’ Trusts are Industrial and Provident Societies registered under the Model Rules for a Football Community Mutual. Trusts formed before April 2002 or thereabouts will have registered under the first version of the Model Rules.
These rules were updated in 2002 to bring Trusts in line with "best practice"
We propose that we amend our complete rules to the newest model as described and posted on the Trust website, in order to bring ourselves in line with best practice
This was then voted upon by the members present and unanimously carried.
CHANGES TO THE PROCESS OF ACCOUNTS AUDITING
AJ explained that at present we are subject to a full accounts audit and the same processes that apply to multi million pound conglomerates. These audits cost the Trust in excess of £1000.00 per annum.
An option has now been made available, that where a Trusts annual turnover falls below £25,000.00 per annum that they now not need to be subject to the same process as larger turnover entities.
Whilst this in no means that the accounts will be scrutinized any less, just that the amount of work in preparing them is considerably less.
The change proposed is to move to an independent financial audit that will cost in the region of £200.00, thus saving the Trust considerable expenditure.
The motion to change to Independent audit was proposed and carried unanimously.
It was also stated that the RAF fund does not constitute part of the Trust’s annual income/expenditure and that this fund should be separated from the Trust’s main accounts.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Trust Mechandise - More Oxford T Shirts soon available, all old stock of T Shirts to be discounted for sale
Groundshare survey complete - overwhelming opposition to scheme
Show of Orange at Legends game - to liase with Phil King and to be updated at next meeting
Season Ticket Boycott - deemed too late to have any impact, although if fans bought Season Tickets by Credit Card, there is an agreement in place with the Card companies and the Football League whereas although the full amount is debited from the card upon payment, this is then drip fed" to the club on a monthly basis. The payment is also protected if the club went into liquidation.
It was voted and carried that the Trust to issue guidance that if members did want to purchase season tickets then the most viable option is to purchase on Credit Card
£1.00 Trust membership - to be discussed at next meeting with a vote to extend timescales.
Ongoing power was given to the Trust board for autonomous descision making
The Trust board will try and arrange a public meeting involving Bill Power and Phil Emmell, as the floor felt that impetus had been lost following the end of the season
CVA - The Football League are unsure if the status of our possible CVA renegotiation would warrant a 10 point deduction next season - to be updated
Arkells Refugees - IH stated his disgust that having been removed from the "sterile area" where his season ticket was located for H & S that the club were all too quick to sell them for the Walsall game. The Trust to write to the club on behalf of the fans over the situation and also talk to the local media.
Merchandise Boycott - This point was raised from the floor and the following options were voted upon
No Boycott - 1 vote
Merchandise Boycott - 18 votes
Merchandise Boycott after advice from BP/PE - 18 votes
The chair cast his deciding vote in favour of merchandise boycotts after advice being taken from BP/PE
| 
