PAK
Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting those. I was so disappointed I left them and wrote to Lucy Elder (LE by line) who I had spoken with before the meeting. What does bias smell like? Oh yes - kind of like an American skunk.
I find it too sad that BHS believes their number one priority with horse welfare is castration clinics. This was confirmed by the Director of Welfare at the AGM. How can the UK in the 21st century still have such major welfare issues? 200 horses?! BHS please put UK horse welfare back on your agenda. These horses need you!Meanwhile,
Two horses put down as more than 200 animals removed from Surrey farm
while BHS seeks burgeoning profit in China etc
Excellent point. Our former BHS Chair in Scotland, a internationally known vet, was opposed to these clinics. There was lots of feedback and none of it taken on boardI find it too sad that BHS believes their number one priority with horse welfare is castration clinics. This was confirmed by the Director of Welfare at the AGM. How can the UK in the 21st century still have such major welfare issues? 200 horses?! BHS please put UK horse welfare back on your agenda. These horses need you!
Excellent point. Our former BHS Chair in Scotland, a internationally known vet, was opposed to these clinics. There was lots of feedback and none of it taken on board
They ARE crazy. Why should BHS subsidize dodgy breeders?? It's not stopping them from breeding. MAYBE improves the horses' chance of not ending up in the meat market - but that's about all. Gee - I wonder if the BHS will cat MY castration costs this year for me.
Thanks TP, I found it interesting that your copy of the initial report/BHS response said that they would let attending members and proxy voters know the next steps. Surely all members should know? It reads as though they’ve not learnt anything about correct communications.
I love how they call it an insert, when it was outwith the magazine with the junk on the smallest piece of paper possible.
Smoke & mirrors, half truths and not even half truths, and sleight of hand (what was referred to the police and/or investigate 0 the alleged fraud or who wrote the anonymous letters?) What does that tell you people have to write anonymous letters?Exactly why folks are becoming increasingly frustrated - lack of communication and the smoke and mirrors/ evasive answers given to perfectly reasonable questions by people who actually care about some of the actions BHS has taken.
Everyone who is still in the dark about what happened at the meeting, should read this - thoroughly. And any of your friends who are BHS Members should see it too.
Notes: on the General Meeting and strategy presentation by The British Horse Society board on the 5th January 2019
From Bob Milton gold member 263474
Dear All BHS members
The General Meeting was called to vote on a special resolution of the board to change a number of clauses of the Articles of Association of The British Horse society being a private limited company by guarantee without share capital and with charitable aims. It should be pointed out that the notice refers to The British Horse Society Constitution which does not exist
Prior to the meeting, which was attended by 105 voting members [see below for details] two thing happened:
The Chairman opened the meeting and members of the board spoke to a presentation of the salient changes of the ‘Constitution’. There were questions raised both during the presentation and the open question period. Minutes were recorded as well as filming of sessions.
- Many of the proxy votes held by attending members were found to have been disallowed. This it seems was despite many of the proxies having been assured by phone or email that they would be accepted. Four of these were mine. Two because the posted forms were not validated until the 4th January with post marks in December. Two others which were on time and sent by email used electronic signature. Any thoughts on this point should be sent to the Company Secretary.
- A letter of ‘no confidence’ in the board, properly signed within the present Article of Association of the company incorporated in July 2016. This was accepted by the Chief Executive and the meeting was opened without anything further said by the Chairman
In no particular order the questions and issues raised were;
This disquiet and animosity within what seemed a substantial portion of the room prompted me to act.
- Was this a general meeting in relation to a special resolution terms defined in the Company’s Act 2008 for changing the Articles of Association [ie 75% of members to vote in favour]. The Chairman responded that this was not such a special resolution but a written resolution, so a simple majority would apply. The calling papers do refer to the proposals as being a ‘special resolution’.
- There were quite a number of questions and concerns raised about the proposed format of the new board how that might be abused in the future.
- The potential for abuse was particularly aimed at the nominations committee in that it was seen to be biased, capable of manipulation and not independent or transparent.
- The Fellows raised concerns following an explanation that their involvement in the nominations committee was only advisory and not as they had understood.
- The issue of employees who were also members of The Society was raised after a substantial number entered the room just before the proposed vote. It was felt by a number of remarks made that this was not quite right as there could be a conflict of interest
- The ability of the chairman who is coming to the end of his six-year tenure to be re-appointed for another six years was confirmed to be the case under the proposed changes and was not well received in the room.
- The amalgamation of all the changes into one resolution was not well received by several members who wanted each article dealt with individually
At the point when the Chairman was about to call for a vote and the employee members had entered the room, I got up to speak. I expressed in strong terms about the potential for abuse inherent in the proposed changes to the Articles of Association as well the issues raised by the floor which the Chairman had already agreed to seek clarification but had put to one side in seeking to get the resolution voted on. I had previously on the 27th December met with the Chairman and expressed my concerns which had been expounded on by the floor up to this point.
For the reasons set out above I invoked Article 25.6 and called for a vote to adjourn the meeting with a request that the board take notice of the floor and the members, withdraw the special resolution and enter into dialogue with members.
After much coming and goings with staff and the independent observer a poll was demanded and taken. No proxies being allowed even those that were general/open.
The voting having been checked by the independent observer was61 for the motion and 44 against. The meeting was closed. No date for reconvening was given.
On a personal basis I an extremely cautious of the reasons given by the Board relating to Sport England and the Charity Commission. Before supporting such major changes to our Articles of Association I would need written evidence from both of these bodies that they have required such changes and why.
The afternoon continued with a presentation of the strategy document for the next ten years. I have set out below my questions and/or comments on the 12 Areas of focus published in the document.
1.Public launch of our recreational qualification- Challenge Awards
Q. What is the definition of ‘recreational qualifications ‘and are they UKAS registered?
2.Increase participation through British Riding Clubs, Approved Centre and Changing lives.
Q. The legal position of British riding clubs and members seems still to be unresolved.
3.Launch a bridleways project in partnership with strategic partners (funding permitted).
Q. Funding from who, for what and by whom?
4.Revise our membership proposition and invest in new proposition development.
Q. Why and for whom
5.Develop a riding centre model which integrates education and membership
6.Further develop our effective lobbying resources
Q. What does this mean?
7.Increase voluntary income from fundraising
Q. Is this supposed to be self-financing, if so by when?
8. Expand The British Horse Society -International
Q. Which part of the BHS and should this be done as a separate company wholly owned by the BHS. What are the tax ramifications?
9. Review regional governance and structure
Q. what is wrong with what we have?
10. Obtain UKAS accreditation.
Q. Seems to have been a ‘focus’ for many years.
11. Champion key campaigns
Q. what constitutes ‘a key campaign’.
12. Invest in the marketing function and digital resources.
Q. What are the resources needed and what has been the return of money spent in the last six years.
Other issues and questions:
I have made it clear to the chairman that I am happy to be involved in dealing with these and other issues raised at the meeting or as a result of the meetings adjournment.
- There are no Fellow provisions for those working in the Access and Welfare areas of the Society ie there are no NVQ or higher education qualifications.
- There are no ‘breeding qualifications’ recognised or provided by the BHS
- Should members who are employees be considered as having a legal interest and/or are connected persons.
- Misleading terminology should be dispensed with e.g. constitution.
- If the board is relying on legal advice or demands from outside organisations to make changes to the companies Articles of Association then these must be made available to the members.
- There does not seem to be a list of members lodged annually with Companies House.
- As a result of changes to the membership structure the definition of those legally allowed to vote and carry the company’s liability should be up dated.
Regards
Bob Milton
YesHas anyone spoken/wrote to Martin Clunes about the goings on at HQ!