Lynton and Barnstaple - Operations and Development

I am yet to receive my paperwork, and I know the instructions & protocols seem to change every year, but surely, anybody appointing a proxy can direct their proxy to vote 'as they see fit' on any ballots taken at the meeting where they have not indicated a vote, which would thus include any votes tabled at the meeting such as a vote of (no) confidence?

 

I don't think it works like that. Even where the proxy has left everything blank, that's still a conscious decision they've made on those agenda points. Even if you could though, I suspect it wouldn't work as the chair tends to hold most proxies and unless specifically instructed otherwise, it's pretty inevitable he or she would wield those proxies against in such a vote.

 

I do get the point about a no-confidence vote as things stand; however, I am referring to possible changes to the M&A after this AGM that may include a mechanism to be included so that the membership have a means to remove trustees (and directors) if they (the membership) think that they (the Trustees/Directors) are hindering the project.

As I understand it, there is nothing currently within the M&A's that can allow the membership to be able to do anything like this. Short of voting those Trustees out after a three-year period. By which time, the damage will have already been done. Of course, there needs to be checks and balances to every such system, which in turn needs to be given time to be thought about.

Flying Scotsman 123 is right when it comes to the current system, in that the chair holds all the proxies unless someone else has been nominated. The key is to work out a system that would allow a vote to take place, maybe based on first calling for said vote to take place, not longer than a month after the AGM.

I am sure that most members realise that it has become almost impossible for things to stay as they are any longer and that the trust's M&A's need to be reviewed to bring them up to date with current or new legislation that has been introduced, which also has a direct effect on the management of the project, since the last time they were reviewed back in 2011 I think it was.

One thing is for sure, when these M&A's where introduces, I don't think it was envisaged that we would reach the situation we have today.

 

Which situation? The one of two years ago where trustees were trying to cut out the members, or the one now where there's a change of wind?

I've not seen the papers yet, and will need to sit and read them before I can have a view. But be very wary of directly introducing mechanisms for people to be removed that go beyond the normal legal position - they are a nuclear option, and the potential for abuse needs to be considered.

Instead, I suggest focusing on how any proposed change may empower members to have and retain influence, and retain a sense of accountability to the membership

 

So are you saying that there is nothing concrete about any "possible" changes that "may" include stuff in the current paperwork for the 2026 AGM? If so, why bring it up now?

 

The one we had a couple of years ago, any change that is proposed can not be rushed

 

Right. So let's see what comes out and what it may mean, not assume we're where we were 2 years ago

 

As I see it, currently, there appears to be no way to have a vote of no confidence.

What I am suggesting is that since a review of the M&A's will take place after this AGM, it might not be a bad idea to have that provision included, subject to all the checks and balances also being put into place at the same time.

It may not even be possible or even wise to include it in the M&A's; however, it could be written up as part of the governance policy and procedure document, which will also need to include a provision to prevent it from being abused.

To my way of thinking, we appear to be racing ahead before we understand the basic methodology in use here.

The SWOT analysis in the Governance review document is a good start, but I feel that many of the weaknesses can be overcome by the creation of new polices and procedures and a better understanding of what Governance means.

If you have the time, take a look at this while you are drinking a cup of coffee
https://compasspartnership.co.uk/wp...2/One-Minute-Tips-on-Governance-e-version.pdf