ITEM

SUBJECT

ACTION

1.       

OPENING REMARKS

·        The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Meeting & thanked all for making the effort to attend.       

2.       

CHAIRMAN’S POINTS

·        The Chairman passed on apologies from those members unable to attend the meeting.  He explained the aim of the Council Meetings was to highlight issues for the Executive Committee and the AGM.

·        He wanted all members to support the website and use it to advertise events. He thanked Phil Miller as Webmaster and this was endorsed by all present.

·        He reported that the Rifles were doing well and that there was always a Rifles cap badge at every event.

·        He reminded all that the Colonel Commandant was very keen to support the Association and had visited both the Gloucester and Reading Reunions.

·        He explained that the Rifles were supportive to the idea of having a standard for association branches and that a design was being developed.

·        The Chairman asked us all to encourage younger members to join the Branches.

·        He highlighted the Freedom Parades which will take place at Bath and Bristol on 4^th October.

·        He explained that the RGBW Association had been approved to march at the London Cenotaph Remembrance Service. We can provide a Contingent of 24 members and The Chairman was keen to get a group consisting of all former Regiments.

·        He reminded all of the DERR 50^th Anniversary on 5/6/7 June 2009. Ray Povey asked if there were any arrangements for single people to attend. Organisers agreed to investigate.

·        Finally the Chairman thanked Maurice Dix for making the arrangements at South Cerney.

3.       

SECRETARY’S POINTS

·        For Remembrance the Secretary will arrange for a bus to pick up at South Cerney and Arborfield and the Gloucester & Salisbury Offices will collect names and confirm the final list.  Action is urgent as we need to confirm and agree plans by 31^st October.

·        The Secretary will thank Lesley for all her hard work and sterling support given to the Association.

4.       

Branches

·        Lt Col John Venus, from the Salisbury Branch, was concerned about the support provided by the Salisbury Office as duties were taking the Secretary away much of the time. He felt that the Salisbury Secretary should be on the DERR 50^th Anniversary Committee. The Chairman agreed to investigate and the issue will be discussed at the next Executive Committee Meeting.

·        The Cyprus Memorial event which is being organised by Bob Scott was highlighted. Whist there was no date yet it was agreed that information will be circulated by the Regimental Offices when available.

·        There was a general discussion on the funding of reunions raised by Stan Snipe and it was agreed that this would be looked at by the Executive Committee.

·        Phil Miller explained that he had put the Newsletter on line and that he could add photos if required.

5.       

Summary

·        The meeting asked the Secretary to thank 29 Regiment for their hospitality.

·        The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting, and encouraged the members to keep up their hard work and efforts and at 1230pm closed the meeting.

SERIAL

ITEM

ACTION

1

REPORT FROM THE ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN

• The report was as given at the Council Meeting, previous to this meeting, which was attended by all present.

2

MINUTES OF THE 14^TH AGM & MATTERS ARISING

• The Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted and there were no actions outstanding.

3

REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS & INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 1 APR 07 – 31 MAR 08

• The Secretary outlined the accounts and explained that we no longer had the “one day pay scheme” as part of the Charity and that it was important for us to accept the limitations of our income. This will be investigated by the Executive Committee.

4

NOMINATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• The Secretary then explained a number of changes to the Executive Committee which had been proposed by the County Chairman & Branches.
   
• Additionally he explained that the President had selected Phil Miller to fill one of the “other branches” appointments which was his right under constitution rules.
• The AGM proposed & unanimously approved the following changes:

Brigadier Martin Vine to be re-selected as Vice President for a further three years.

Mr Maurice Dix to be selected as one of the Gloucestershire Members of the Executive Committee.

Captain Bill Sherman to be selected as one of the Wiltshire Members of the Executive Committee.

Lt Col John Venus to be selected as one of the Wiltshire Members of the Executive Committee.

Lt Col John Blundell to be selected as one of the City and County Bristol Members of the Executive Committee.

Mr Phil Miller to be selected as one of the Other Branches & non Branch Members of the Executive Committee.

Mr Les Divine to be re-selected as one of the Other Branches & non Branch Members of the Executive Committee.

A copy of the latest appointments to the Association is attached for convenience.

5

REUNIONS 2009

• Gloucester + Bristol             28/29 Mar
   
• Devizes                                  24 May    
                    
• Salisbury                                None for 2009 (DERR                                                   Reunion) 
                    
• Reading                                 25 July
   
• The Chairman then outlined plans for the 50^th Anniversary of the DERR which will take place on 5/6/7 June 2009 on the Isle of Wight.

6

RGBW ASSOCIATION WEBSITE.

• The Chairman asked Phil Miller to update the meeting on the RGBW Website.
   
• He then asked the Secretary to record the thanks of the Association for the work carried out by Phil Miller.
   
• Finally he asked the Secretary to inform all members and encourage use of the website through all communications.

7

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

• The Chairman asked the Secretary to pass on our thanks to the Commanding Officer of 29 Regiment for the use of the facilities and helpfulness of the staff.
   
• Ron Coleman told the meeting about one of our colleagues who needed help and whose wife was having a hard time.  Names are not reproduced but the issues will be considered by the Executive Committee.
   
• Col Martin Lee-Browne, as our legal representative, recommended a number of editorial changes to the Constitution (Second Edition 1999) and proposed that he should make the recommendations and pass to the Charity Commission for agreement. During discussions Les Ramsden seconded the proposal and asked for a vote which was supported by all except Pay Povey. He claimed that 56 Days Notice was required to make such changes. [After note: This will be raised at the next Meeting of the Executive Committee where a way forward will be agreed]
   
• The Cheltenham Branch asked how Standards should be cleaned. The Secretary will consult Maj Phil Hall and report back to the Executive Committee.
   
• Phil Miller asked about reimbursement for Executive Committee & Standard Bearers. The Secretary will raise this issue at the next Executive Committee and report back through Branch Chairman.
   
• Col John Bartlett highlighted the Freedom Parades on 4^th of October at Bath & Bristol.
   
• A member reminded all that there was a Newbury Race Day on 25^th October devoted to Help for Heroes.
• Being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 1330 hrs.