HWA AGM 2021
The Annual General Meeting was held Tuesday 9th November 2021 at the HWA Centre (as per HWAMAIL and Hadley Wood News notices).
This AGM was in person (after Zoom the previous year). This year, we did not add presentations from other community groups, but encouraged them to produce reports - these are here on the website with additions. We are keen to promote other community groups and our involvement with them. The hall was “full” (Covid spaced) and the bar well used. Nearly everyone engaged with discussions about Fireworks and proposed subscription increase. All resolutions were passed as per Agenda, including confirmation of continuing appointment of current Trustees - with a strong call for new Trustee candidates to come forward during the year. The Fireworks event was a great success (huge thanks to Kim Ioannides and all involved). Being sold out was testament to the appetite to socialise as a community but led to some problems on crowding and turning people away at the gate (for which we apologise). We are considering this how to build on the success, improve the event and learn lessons. Please let us have your thoughts. We are planning a Jubilee event for next June, as a second major HWA occasion, and tree planting and other appropriate projects. Please join us in creating these. HWA through its benefit scheme is helping promote our local businesses. Committee member Helen Touli (The Interior Design House) is organising a Parade event on 11 December . The meeting carried overwhelmingly the resolution to support the Trustees in considering subscription increases this year. The Trustees put forward strong reasons to double the amount (twenty years since last increase; just £1pw; we have demonstrated the value of a well supported community voice; HWA is underfunded and needs to do more than “make do”). Discussion focussed mainly on further ways to increase member numbers (after four years of our upward trend). We are considering this important subject this week; all options open including the level of any increase, staging and concessions. Input is encouraged from those not able to join us at the AGM. The formal business was to approve minutes, elect Trustees, note the draft financial statements, approve the independent examiners and agree next AGM meeting date. The AGM does not choose the Committee, formally approve accounts or budget, nor (for example) set the level of membership fees or direct our key activities. But your input is actively invited on any subject (at the meeting or afterwards) in the light of the Chairman Report or other considerations, and more people are encouraged to volunteer to join us in running the many aspects of the Association. We highlighted three resolutions: A. The key role of the AGM is to appoint the Trustees, who have authority to run the Association. The resolution will be to confirm the appointment of the three current Trustees. (There are three of us, retiring in three year rotation with elections when there are more than one candidate. This year, I am the retiring Trustee and will be deemed re-appointed as I am willing to continue and there have been no other nominations.) We are very keen to bring in new Trustees by next year. B. Our membership fee level has remained unchanged for twenty years. The Trustees will shortly be giving active consideration to increasing fees, probably doubling (possibly with staging, always open to considering special circumstances). There are many reasons to do so, to improve our finances and provide better services. If we double the fees, the level is still only £1 per week per resident. We believe your Association deserves that level of support. Views invited at the AGM and after, for us to take into account. The resolution will be to support the Trustees in considering increases in membership fees during this year. C. During 2020/21, the HWA has been actively involved in planning issues including support for our Neighbourhood Planning Forum and campaigns on the Crescent East business development and Save Our Green Belt. There is clearly a very high level of support for these campaigns. The resolution will be to confirm that the Association continue to be actively involved in significant planning matters including support for the Neighbourhood Plan and the Save Our Green Belt! campaign. |
Agenda & reports
Agenda
Reports please click on each one to read
HWA & Affiliates
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