Minutes of the 2006 Benevolent Fund AGM

Acceptance of the Minutes of the 2005 AGM, which had been published in the August 2005 issue of Building Services Journal, was approved nem con and signed as a correct record.

Introducing the annual report, Bryan Wright said that the Fund was currently providing quarterly financial support for 31 clients with a further 16 receiving occasional support. In addition, a total of 66 members were having their subscriptions waived at the request of the Fund. The longest standing client had been receiving support for about 35 years. Over the past 10 years, the number of new cases each year had steadily increased, as had the amount of support provided per case.

The Management Committee had again discussed this topic during the year and was still of the view that in the long term there would be a steadily increasing need for the Fund to provide support to CIBSE members, former members and their dependants. Final year pensions were a thing of the past and there was much more uncertainty, while members were living longer though not always in good health.

Work to set up a new charity to replace the existing Fund with a body with modern articles of association had continued but was taking longer than hoped because of considerable problems and delays in making changes of signatories to bank accounts.

Richard Tully asked whether the funding provided might jeopardise other sources of funding for individuals in need. The chairman assured him that the sums the Fund was able to provide did not affect other sources of income, and that the Fund liaised with other charities if they were also providing support to ensure that Inland Revenue rules were followed.

In answer to a question about the gold lapel badges, it was confirmed that they had all been sold.

Acceptance of the report was carried nem con.

David Kirkby, hon treasurer of the Fund, introduced the accounts of the Fund for 2005. Before unrealised gains on investments, the Fund had again operated at a deficit, despite the welcome addition to income of over £6000 from the casino held at the CIBSE Annual Dinner and a generous donation of £5000 from the CIBSE Patrons. The current levels of deficit were not a great worry, though if they continued they would eat into reserves and thus reduce investment income.

Looking to the current year, the most positive news was that the voluntary £3 donation which CIBSE members had been invited to pay with their subscriptions had so far brought in £17,362 from some 5600 members. This would mean that for the first time in some years the Fund was not in danger of operating at a deficit. However, there would be a need to remain vigilant. Donations from funds raised at social events held by the CIBSE regions remained a crucial part of the Fund’s income, and he was delighted to be able to report that since the end of the 2005 financial year a further £12,000 had been received from nine regions. Additionally, some £6000 had again been raised at the CIBSE Dinner.

The accounts were accepted nem con as a true record of the finances of the Fund.

Bryan Wright reported that there had been only one nomination for each of the elected positions for 2006-2007. He would therefore continue as chairman, Tony Barton would continue as vice chairman and David Kirkby was continuing as hon treasurer. The elected members of the Management Committee were Bernard Bareham, David Wood and Ron Farminer. There being no further nominations, they were elected unopposed.

It was unanimously agreed that BDO Stoy Hayward LLP be appointed as auditors of the CIBSE Benevolent Fund for the coming year, at a fee to be agreed by the Management Committee.