Posted by Bill Fraser on May 4th, 2010
We have always sympathised with the possible problems created by the tight timetable set by George Reid for the Strategic Review. However, there is a danger of the old discredited practices still holding sway unless action is taken swiftly.
On 28th April we wrote to Mr Reid:
‘When you invited us for discussions some months ago, we discussed the possible problem of the review conclusions becoming available for scrutiny after the current deadline of 1st week in May for Motions for the AGM at end-September 2010.
You took this on board; however slippage, of one month, indicates any contemplated motions for the AGM in September 2010 may be quite difficult to frame in a meaningful way, and to receive ‘acceptance’ for inclusion at the AGM?
There has been no formal statement to the membership, so members may then be deprived of their current constitutional rights?
This is a matter which the Council, Board and Chief Executive should have already discussed and minuted their ‘decisions’.
To avoid later recriminations, a copy of this letter is being sent to the Chief Executive, as a matter of urgency’
As of today (4th May) ITFS has not received any acknowledgement from either Mr Reid or the Chief Executive.
To safeguard members’ rights to a debate at the AGM, we have framed the following motion which we hope concerned members may feel able to sign:
While the Strategic Review under Dr George Reid has progressed, there has been no visible improvement in governance by the continuing unwieldy Council, Board or Executive staff of the NTS. Examples are:- undisclosed sales’ benefits eg. 26-31 Charlotte Square, 2-6 Hope St Lane, Northgate House Peebles; – closed properties eg. Leith Hall, Huntly; untenanted rental property eg. Ramsay Garden, Edinburgh; quantities of valuable ‘spare’ furniture eg. Bute House, Wemyss House – put into expensive storage or sold.
Transparency and accountability to the membership are not optional.
We therefore propose:
A requirement that volunteer guides and local membership, involved in the support of properties, must be actively consulted and heeded by the Council and Executive staff
That their essential contribution be specifically extended by the inclusion of young members
That the co-operation of the Scottish Government Minister for Education be invited to support the involvement of youth within the NTS properties
We also reaffirm our 2009 AGM call for a Business Plan for each property
If you are ready to support such a motion, we ask you to follow the instructions on the panel to the right ‘2010 Annual General Meeting’ and download a copy, sign and return to ITFS to arrive by 6th May. Please note only original signed forms are acceptable and must be returned to ITFS not direct to the NTS
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