Agenda of the 104th AGM of Kettering Allotments Society
Wednesday 15th March 2023 at 7:45pm
Kettering Athletic Club, Rockingham Road
Welcome
Minutes of the 2022 AGM and matters arising
Report of the committee (secretary)
Financial report , audited accounts (treasurer)
Proposed new constitution (see # below)
Election of Officers (chair, secretary, treasurer)
Election of management committee * see below for nominations
Approval for changes to membership subscriptions (see § below)
Other Proposals for approval (see ± below)
Appointment of auditors
Appointment of solicitors
Date of next AGM
AOB including general discussion and suggestions for the committee to consider (see % below)
*The following members have applied to join join the committee:
Rebecca Profit, Sheren Everson, Rob McIntyre
The following members of the the committee have applied for re-election:
Sarah Taylor, George White, John Roberts, Peter New, Monica Ozdemir, Chris Hulston, Pat Mullins, Darren Stanion
# To comply with legislation Our constitution must be lodged with the FCA. (Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, for a Co-operative Society.)
Our current constitution is not compliant with FCA "Rules"
The most recent "Rules" (constitution) lodged with the FCA is dated 1956 and not fit for purpose in 2023
We have received a of model "Rules" from National Allotments (NSALG) that has been approved by the FCA
The Proposal is that we vote on this model template to update our constitution and become compliant with legislation.
Please note that the FCA use the word "Rules" for what we refer to as a constitution. What we often call our rules is the tenancy agreement. These are very different documents.
§ the new constitution ("Rules) has a clause that requires AGM approval for the committee to vary membership subscriptions for the following year (ie January 2024).
The proposal is to empower the committee to increase subscriptions for 2024 if it is deemed necessary by the treasurer up to a maximum of £5 per member.
There may not be any need for an increase. The committee aims to keep costs to a minimum and avoid increases where possible; but we are experiencing inflation. By voting for this proposal we are giving reasonable room for manoeuvre with our finances.
± Proposed new rule to be added to the tenancy agreement: Tenants should follow the Society’s policy on fences around and between plots.
Suggestions for the committee to consider in 2023 can be made on the night. The folllowing suggestions have already been submitted:
to increase deposits to £100 but to include an IBC on the plot as part of this. Deposits returned when the member leaves if the plot and IBC are in good condition
Make the end of season get together a bigger event with more than just cup awards, eg raffle, competitions etc
Have combination locks on gates rather than keys (Northfield Avenue already has combination padlocks)
encourage seed swap, seedling swap etc
encourage neighbours to water plots when people are on holiday