Shareholders » Management Board Report to the 58th Annual Meeting
Management Board Report
To the 58th Annual Meeting of Shareholders
held at Wortley Hall on 14th March 2010.
Finance
You have by now heard the report on the 2009 accounts from our Auditor.
Wortley Hall finances are dominated by wage costs and our constant spending on improving our facilities and of course repairing this listed building of ours. The Management Board will be concentrating the major area of spending on the exterior fabric of the building.
Development
Last year the task of improving the building was greatly helped by Unite the Union whose branches rallied round to assist in the upgrading of the ballroom and bar areas. This work would not have gone ahead without their help. Other people and organisations also contributed to this project.
Wortley Hall received £83,794 towards the refurbishment of the Ballroom and bar areas, plus £7,100 in shares from Unite Branches towards this appeal. It was Davey Hall the Unite Regional Secretary who raised the appeal, but we have had donations from other sources, organisations and individual shareholders. The room was formally opened on the 6th November last year by Davey Hall.
Over the years we have had assistance from our friends in the Trade Union movement and this is very much appreciated, last year for example the Fire Brigades Union purchased a state of the art Smart Board for training and presentation purposes.
Last year as well as the Ballroom development, work to upgrade some of the first bedrooms we converted to en suite was also undertaken.
People will recognise that due to the continued development our electric supply leaves a lot to be desired. Last year we agreed to have a new electrical substation within the grounds we paid for it last year and now the work is underway.
Business
The Regional TUC took a decision to hold their AGM here this year and took place over the week-end of 20/21st February. This is a very important booking for Wortley Hall and Bill Adams the Regional Secretary considers the event was excellent. Some delegates we are sure will never have been to Wortley Hall before and we hope that the success of the event even with the inclement weather will help them to decide to make this the venue for further annual meetings.
Wortley Hall Anniversary
2011 will see the 60th anniversary of the opening of Wortley Hall as we know it. The Management Board will be considering what form of celebration should be held for this important event.
Officers
Our current President Mick Headon, has come to the end of his term of office and has decided not to stand for a further term. Mick has served 6 years, (three terms) as President as well as serving on the Executive Committee before that. The Management Board thank Mick for his help and guidance over the past years.
Arline Gentles has after 15 years involvement on the Executive Committee and latterly the Management Board has decided not to stand for re-election.
Jean Marshall has decided to retire from the Management Board.
The Management Board thank Arline and Jean for their contribution to the organisation
This year we have 2 nominations for President and 10 nominations for Management Board. Due to Jean standing down there are now 6 vacancies on the Management Board the person elected with the least votes will stand for one year, completing Jean’s term of office.
Last year the decision was taken to hold quarterly Shareholders meetings instead of the quarterly Members Committee meetings. The Management Board thank all present and past members of the Members Committee for their contributions and support over the years.
The quarterly Shareholders meetings take place on the last Sunday of January, April, July and October. The dates for this term are April 25th, July 25th, October 31st and January 30th.
During the past 12 months two colleagues who played a huge part in Wortley Hall, Harold Shaw and Graham Goddard passed away.
Share Applications
2009 was an exceptional year for Individual Share applications. The Board approved shares to the value of £9,940. The breakdown is £2,105 from 101 individuals and £7,835 from 32 organisations.
Rule Book
Our rule book has been updated to conform to the latest edition of Co-operative Model Rules 12th Edition (2007). They have been approved by the Financial Services Authority. The rules have been posted on our website and can be either read or printed off. Copies are available for those people without internet access for £1.00 to cover printing and postage.
Staff
At this time wage negotiations have yet to take place. Unfortunately because we have not made a profit, there will be no Profit Sharing Bonus. The Management Board wish to thank all members of staff for their efforts over the past year.
South Yorkshire Festival
The subcommittee set up to organise the event are working extremely hard to ensure the festival is as successful as previous years the theme this year will the 80th Anniversary of the Morning Star.
Grounds and Gardens
A report from Marc Mallender can be found after the General Managers Report.
A report from Heeley City Farm who produce organic fruit and vegetables in our Walled Garden can be found after Marc Mallender’s Report.
A Report from the Friends of Wortley Hall Gardens can be found after the Heeley City Farm Report.
Co-operative Group
During last year, Paul Kenny – General Secretary of GMB addressed a Members Committee meeting to give an update of the dispute between GMB and Co-operatives uk in respect of Co-operative Funeral care.
We wish to clear up any misunderstandings about our position in this. At the Trades Union Congress in 2008, Motion 71- Trade union recognition by the Co-operative Group was put by GMB and seconded by USDAW and supported by the General Council, condemning the board of the Co-operative group for its anti Trade Union actions in de recognising the GMB union and withdrawing from the Co-op Funeral Care the collective bargaining and recognition agreement held with the GMB within the Funeral Care business of the Co-operative Group, the motion was accepted unanimously. The Wortley Hall Management Board supports this resolution and decided not to accept any business from Co-operatives UK. However the Co-op Party and other independent Co-operatives are welcome as are individual members of the Co-op and Co-op Party and co-operative Women’s Guilds.
Mon 15th Mar 2010