The Board of Trustees met over the weekend of 17th-19th September, at Hafan Y Coed, Abercrave, Swansea. We spent much time considering the question, ‘How do we increase the membership of the Ramblers?’. The weekend also gave the Board and Senior Management Team time to get a better understanding of Welsh history, geography and political issues, devolution, as well as many of the projects which Ramblers Cymru are running (most of which are funded from external funding sources, such as the Wales Assembly Government, or charitable trusts). We took a walk through the nearby ‘Celtic Rainforest’ on the Saturday afternoon, led by a ranger from the Brecon Beacons National Park. Our thanks to Ramblers Cymru President, Richard Lloyd Jones; Ramblers Cymru Chair, Helen Lloyd Jones; members of the Welsh Council Executive Committee; and Wales staff.
There will be a further informal meeting of the trustees and senior managers on 30th October, to discuss how to unite the organisation around the need for membership growth.
Announcements
The Board noted with sadness the death of Trevor Antill, who was the Worcestershire Area President and prior to that, Area Footpath Secretary for more than 10 years. The Board noted the formal resignation of Helen Johns from the Board because of work pressures. The Board was pleased to hear that the campaign to make the South Downs a national park had won a Sussex Eco Award.
Chief Executive’s Report
The Chief Executive reported that with the Business Plan for the coming year now in place, he wanted the focus of activities to be our four priorities: more members, more charitable income, protecting and improving the path network, and greater efficiency/effectiveness. We have some very ambitious targets in the Business Plan, particularly around membership, and it will need all parts of the charity – volunteers, staff, trustees, Areas, Groups, countries – to focus on these. Other issues may need to be delayed.
The Chief Executive gave an update on the campaigning around the coastal route/ protection of footpaths, in the face of severe public spending cuts. He explained that the focus of the former was national, and the latter – local. Model press releases had been sent to Areas, as well as requests to lobby MPs and local councillors. This campaigning would be a major focus for the next few months, and would also be used in our fundraising/membership drives. He reminded the Board that the proposed spending cuts posed the biggest threat to the walking environment in decades.
Finances
The Board received the latest forecast to the end of the financial year (end of September) as well as the latest monthly accounts (to the end of August). They show a forecast surplus to the end of the year of c£560k. This is partly due to one-off items (for example additional legacy income and more efficient Gift Aid collection), and partly due to better than budgeted membership income.
Key Performance Indicators
The Board reviewed the latest monthly Key Performance Indicators. These are 16 key indicators – covering finance, membership, campaigns, and organisation – which give a snap-shot of how we’re are performing against the Business Plan targets. Of the 16, we are on track with 15. The only one of concern is progress on implementing coastal access – due to uncertainty over government funding.
Appointment of Auditors
After many years with our current auditors, Sayer Vincent, the Board agreed to appoint Horwath Clark Whitehill as out new auditors, following a tendering process.
Area and Group Budget Allocations
The Board noted that the submissions from Areas for budgets this year was only slightly above that budgeted (£406k, against a budget of £400k), and agreed to fund these in their entirety. It also agreed that a sympathetic review will take place to look at the cost of Area activities and offer guidance/advice on best practice on how to allocate funds more effectively. This is important due to priority 4 in this year’s Business Plan (to become more efficient and effective). The review would be undertaken in consultation with the Area Treasurers’ Sounding Board.
Business Plan Scotland
The Board received for information a draft Business Plan for the coming year, for Ramblers Scotland. The Board also agreed to fund for one year an additional staff post in Scotland for promoting walking, linked to opportunities around the Commonwealth Games, to be funded out of reserves. The Board hoped that this investment would generate external funding in Scotland to continue with the work after this year-long investment had ended.
Devolution Working Party
The Board received an oral report on the progress of the devolution working party. It noted that while Wales is seeking greater autonomy within the current organisation (as there is too great a financial burden to separate completely), Scotland is pursuing an option of becoming independent. The Scottish representatives on the working party are looking at the financial details of how such a separation would be funded and viable.
General Council Motions remitted to the Board
The Board considered eight motions which were not discussed at General Council and thus had been remitted to the Board. The Board also considered actions being taken on those motions passed at General Council. Both of these matters are detailed in a separate report.
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults – policy and guidance
Following consultation with volunteers on a draft re-write of this policy and guidance, a further re-drafting had taken place, to simplify the information as much as possible. The guidance had been divided into six sections – each for a different audience (for example, walk leaders who don’t lead walks for children or vulnerable adults). Volunteers would only need to read the section relevant to them (in the case of the above example, at little over half a page). The Board agreed the policy and new guidance, which will be circulated via the website shortly. The Board received a reference from East Yorkshire and Derwent Area on this matter, and agreed a response.
Board representatives to Agenda Committee
The Board agreed that Kate Ashbrook and Harry Mycock would continue to represent the Board on the General Council Agenda Committee.
Confidentiality of Minutes
The Board agreed to refer the issue of whether Board minutes should be confidential to the governance review which is currently taking place, and to consider the issue in the light of this report.
