ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT BIRMINGHAM

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE WEST MIDLANDS FIRE SERVICE, HEADQUARTERS ON THURSDAY 29TH APRIL 1976

The meeting was opened by T. LISTER Esq. F. I. FIRE E., Chief Fire Officer of The West Midlands Fire Service who welcomed the 67 Members and 7 Visitors present:Apologies

The Honorary Secretary reported the receipt of 65 apologies from Members who were unable to attend the meeting. Minutes

The minutes of the 1975 Annual General Meeting (previously circulated) were put to the meeting. It was proposed by K.J. WILLIAMS seconded by D. RILEY that they be accepted, this was agreed by the meeting.

Matters Arising

There were no matters arising. Chairman's Report

The Chairman of the Association Mr. B.W. C. Thacker in his opening address also greeted the members present, making particular reference to the welcome appearance of Mr. T.J. Metcalf a Founder Member of the Association and now one of its few Honorary Members. He continued "Last year at St. Albans I spoke on the changes that had occurred and during this year now ended our Scottish members have had experience of Local Government upheaval, resulting in great changes in our Scottish Branch, which thankfully however has kept in being and is still active.

During the year, the Midlands Branch of the Association has been reformed and we hope shortly to gather together the members in the appropriate area to form an Eastern Branch. This is in line with the general policy of the Association outlined at the last Annual General Meeting. As with many other organisations, we have been caught in the spiral of inflation and the last year has been most difficult from a financial point of view. The income of the Association has been static for some years whereas costs have risen alarmingly. These rising costs have forced unwanted economies on us, resulting in publishing delays, cancellation of meetings and less support to branches than we would have wished.

In spite of these restrictions, our Association has remained in touch with the various official bodies dealing with petroleum - explosive legislation - particularly the Health and Safety Executive. In fact the Honorary Secretary has only recently had meetings with senior members of that executive and I have no doubt he will have something to say on that matter when he presents his report.

From the requests received by this Association for advice and for information from private, public and official bodies it is apparent that its views as an voice in the field of petroleum legislation safety are of great value. In my opin1on, it is the only body able to express views on this particular aspect of safety legislation without being subject to any outside influence, and as such, I believe that it is up to us as members to ensure that this Association remains alive and active and playing a vital role in the field of safe practice. I am convinced now that this Association is at the cross-roads. It has made a name for good independent advice and unfettered opinion. It is respected for that and its views are sought, but re-organisation of local government has made inroads into our membership and rising costs have restricted our activities.

It is up to us here today to decide which way we will go, to resign ourselves and give up, which is the easy option or to hold what we have and improve upon it which will be harder but which also will be more worthwhile.

In conclusion, I thank you all for your support throughout the year, I thank the members of the Council and in particular, I must express my sincere appreciation to the Honorary Treasurer Cliff Peacock, the Honorary Editor Bob Holdaway and the Honorary Secretary John Frid. I have been associated with these gentlemen for over a decade during which time we have had many ups and downs. Whatever has arisen they have always been there to help and advise without any thought for themselves. I could not have carried out my duties without them and they have made things easier for me. I am happy to know them and to have served this Association alongside them".

Following his report the Chairman suggested to ;llembers that he would take the Officer's reports first and accept any questions on their content at their conclusion. The meeting accepted this. Honorary Secretary's Report

The Honorary Secretary commenced his report by quoting the current membership totals as follows: Members 175 Associate Members 142 and Bulletin Subscribers 41. These figures he said represented a slight loss of membership over the previous year, a loss which was solely due to retirements or change of occupation of the members concerned. The Honorary Secretary expressed his concern at the disappointing figures, and spoke at some length outlinging the vital importance of increasing the Association's support. He asked members to bear this in mind at all opportune times, and argued that if every member would recruit just one new member the Association's problems would disappear.

During the year, in response to the need for economies expressed at the 1975 Annual General Meeting, the Honorary Secretary reported that meetings had been kept to a minimum. Much of the Associations work had been carried out by correspondence and by meetings of officers on an informal basis. One meeting of the Emergency Committee had been held in Doncaster during February 1976.

In the period covered by his report the Honorary Secretary had received for comment the following items (a) Department of The Environment - Motor Fuel Regulations: Health and Safety Executive - Draft Regulations under Health and Safety at Work Act: and Draft Regulations for Special Premises: British Standards Institution - Draft Fire Certificates. He further reported that he had attended meetings at The Health and Safety Executive, The Department of Employment, The Department of the Environment and the Home Office, in order to comment on behalf of The Association on matters of interest to the Association. The Honorary Secretary outlined the discussions which had taken place at these various meetings and asked that if all Members who had comments or suggestions concerning future legislation would contact him he would attempt to put these forward at future meetings which were planned.

The Honorary Secretary then spoke regarding Branch activities. He informed

Members that the London and South East

Branch had been active during the year, that inaugural meetings of The Midland Branch and

Eastern Branch has been held or were shortly due to be held, and also that The Scottish

Branch was being re-activated. Of the latter he informed the meeting that he had been in contact with Mr. J. Short the

Honorary Secretary of the Scottish Branch and had been informed that a survey of

Scottish Petroleum Officers had resulted in sufficient growth of membership to warrant the calling of the first meeting after the re-organisation of Scottish Local Government. The Honorary Secretary stressed the need for an increase in capitation fees to

Branches. "Branch activity must be encouraged", he said "for this is where the strength of The Association lies". The Honorary Secretary in closing his report spoke briefly about the ever increasing costs of publishing the Bulletin. The last edition incurred costs of over £500 on it's production. He went on to explain that in conjunction with the Honorary Editor he had made enquiries about another printer, and the outcome of this may result in future issues being produced in a slightly differing format at a little over half the cost of the present publication. Finally, and as he said "to emphasise, the extent to which the Association's influence has spread", the Honorary Secretary reported that among new subscribers to the Bulletin was one from the Russian Acadamy of Sciences. The Honorary Secretary thanked his fellow Officers of the Association for their help and co-operation during the past year, adding, that without their encouragement and enthusiasm his task as Secretary would have been virtually impossible. Honorary Treasurer's report The Honorary Treasurer, discussing the Income and Expenditure Account for the year 1975, pointed out that the increase in miscellaneous printing was due to the necessity for re-printing the Association's Code of Practice, for which there has been a steady demand; that the increase in the postage account was due to the increase in postal charges: and that the cost of meetings had been pruned considerably by doing

much of the business by post and telephone a method that is only practicable when the committee is small. He pointed out that, while the balance in hand at the end of the year looked encouraging, it was only an illusion as there was a bill of more than £500 due for prsentation for the December issue of "The Bulletin".

He stated that there was one ray of sunshine, however, as the Inland Revenue Authorities had approved the Association for the purpose of Sec. 192 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act, 1970 so that the whole of the annual subscription will be allowable as a deduction from members emoluments assessable under Schedule E. This means that "with effect from the year commencing April 6, a member who is assessable to income tax under Schedule E in respect of the emoluments of an office or employment is entitled to a deduction from those emoluments of the whole of the annual subscription which is due and payable by him to the body in the Income Tax Year, provided that:(a) The subscription is defrayed out of the emoluments of the office or employment, and (b) the activities of the society so far as they are directed to qualifying objects are relevant to the office or employment; that is to say, the performance of the duties of the office or employment, or the exercise of the profession concerned, is directly affected by the pursuance of the qualifying objects".

The Honorary Treasurer stated that to many members "The Bulletin" was as important as belonging to a branch and urged that the subscriptions be increased so that normal quarterly printing of "The Bulletin" could be resumed; the income tax concession made this possible without any extra cost to the members. He mentioned that the Honorary Secretary had found a way of printing that was much cheaper yet only slightly below the quality of the present method, so that normal publication once again became feasible, provided the extra funds became available.

In conclusion, he thanked the other members of the Emergency Committee especially the Honorary Secretary, for their support during the year. Honorary Editor's Report Mr. Holdaway informed the meeting, this would be his last report as "Caretaker" Editor. He stated that the appointment last year of Mr. J.B. Crewe, Bedfordshire County Council as Assistant Editor had been OI considerable value to himself and to Mr. Crewe, who was sole nominee for the Editorial post. He recommended his appointment reminding the meeting that Mr. Crewe who had assisted him at Shrewsbury had been involved in the work from the very first duplicated issue, and in Mr. Crewe's stewardsnip he had ever confidence for the future of the Bulletin. Mr. Holdaway regretted that the financial position of the Association had curtailed the number of issues published over the last two ,years. He reported the very heavy increase in printing costs and stated that the Honorary Secretary had made enquiries of the City of Cambridge Printing Department who could print the Bulletin to a high standard at approximately half the normal commercial cost.

The Editor reminded all present that this unique journal could only survive with the full support of the members contributions and suggestions, and in thanking all members and readers for such support, urged a continuation to the new Editor.

Upon the completion of the Officer's reports the Chairman requested the comments of the meeting. There followed some considerable discussion mainly concerning the Association's finances and various items contained in the annual accounts. Questions were answered by the Officers, and the Honorary Secretary in answer to a request from the Chairman, gave more detailed information regarding his latest meeting at the Health and Safety Executive Offices. Finally it was moved by D. Hall and seconded by E.W. Dean that the Officers reports be accepted, this was agreed by the meeting. (a) Election of Chairman:-

The Vice Chairman of the Association MR. H.T.E. JACKSON (G.L.C.) was nominated and elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Upon his installation the new Chairman thanked the members for the honour of his election and expressed his belief in the continued value of the Association with whicq he had been concerned since its inception.

He regretted having done little for the Association on a national basis in his year as Vice Chairman but he had been involved in work of the South East Branch. He considered that the future value of the Association to Members would lie very heavily in the work of Branches. The South East Branch had managed to provide four meetings during the year with speakers on various interesting subjects and one visit to a pump ers premises which had been of value. He hoped that other branches would soon be formed and active.

(b) There was no nomination for the office of Vice-Chairman.

(c) Mr. J. W. Frid (Cambs.) was nominated and elected Honorary Secretary for the ensuing year. , (d) Mr. C.T. Peacock (Yorks.) was nominated and elected Honorary Treasurer for the 'ensulug year.

(e) Mr. J.S. Crewe (Beds. - Assistant Editor) was nominated and elected Honorary

Editor for the ensuing year. After his election the new Editor spoke to Members saying, "I would like to express my thanks to the members of the Association for the honour they have bestowed upon me in electing me as Editor of 'The

Bulletin:

During the coming year, The Bulletin will endeavour to provide an even greater bond between members, and to remain one of the cornerstones of the Association as it always has been in the past, in the hands of its previous Editors Mr. Holdaway and Mr. Thacker.

May I, on behalf of everyone present, express our thanks to Mr. Holdaway for the great deal of hard work and dedication he has devoted to the Bulletin throughout his terms of office at its Edi tor Mr. Holdaway has always been a very real asset to the Association and to its Members and I hope he will continue to give us the benefit of his knowledge and experience for a very long time to come".

(f) Mr. R.P. Holdaway (Salop) was nominated and elected Honorary Liaison Officer for the ensuing year. (g) There was no nomination for the office of Honorary Legal Officer and it was agreed by the Meeting that this be left open. (h) Mr. A. Foster was nominated and elected

Honorary Auditor. Election of Council

The Honorary Secretary reported that he had received four nominations for membership of the Council of the Association. The meeting agreed that the following be elected MR. N.S. FOX (Warwicks), MR. F. KNOWLES (Bucks), MR B.O. LOWE (Beds.). MR. D.J. RIDDETT (Hampshire). Election of Scrutineers

At the suggestion of the Honorary Secretary . lt was agreed h t t a the appointment of scrutineers be made at any meeting where their services would be required.

Notice of Motion No. 1

"That the annual subscription to the Association be reviewed in order to recognise and remedy the present financial si tuation" . The Honorary Secretary , ln introducing this item commenced by reiterating the remarks regarding , membershlP hich w he had made in his annual report, and then drew 'athe attention of the meeting to the ASSOCl " h'ch the Honorary tions financial POSltlon w 1 blem I' d The pro Treasurer had so ably out lne . i te " s facing the Assoclatl0n, wa simple he said, We had an ' It which was running well. basically qu t' organisa 10n d ould be geare c d , ' d t incre ase an up at any tlme ln or er 0 , It was expand its benefits to members, prevented from doing this 1 ly so e, because had combininflation and lack of membershlP ed to drain the , t' 's Assocla 10n resources, I tions There were, he t wen on, only two so u bership to as 'th increase mem the problem, el er 'ncrease I 'dicated or 1 he had previous y ln 'Id enable subscriptions to a level that wou uch us to continue. action would be 1 ternative to s The a A ciation's 'd' up the ssO Wln lng Officer affairs. He felt that no or who had contributed to th e AssOcla 1 , hip had received the benefits of membehrs future th ht for t e ' could, if he had any oug , It , t'ons demlse, contemplate the ASSocla 1 'd in t Y contlnUe , was the Honorary Secre ar ,t ' t strlve 0 the interest of all of us, 0