MINUTES OF THE AGM HELD ON TUESDAY 21st MARCH 2023
Held at the Atlantic Hotel, Porthcawl
Present: Margaret Minhinnick (President), Alun Edwards (Treasurer), Cllr Elin Jones (Vice President), Mark Morgan, John Berry BEM, Sharon Edwards, Elen Jones, Jonathan Hurley, Cllr Robert Lee, Gemma Lewis, David Swidenbank, Chris Swidenbank, Bridget Hall (Minutes)
New member: Kat Stonehill (Pinder Stonehill Accountancy Ltd)
1 Opening Address
Margaret welcomed members and delivered a report on Chamber activities for the previous year (attached) https://www.porthcawlchamberoftrade.co.uk/annual-report-and-agm-2022-23/
2 Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Lorrie Desmond-Williams.
3 To accept the minutes of the last AGM
The Minutes of the AGM 2022 were accepted and approved.
4 To approve the End of Year Accounts
Alun circulated the end of year financial accounts and bank account statements. These were approved. Alun explained the pertinent points of the accounts and clarified the payments received and paid out for the Christmas Trees. A brief discussion ensued regarding possible alternatives for next Christmas. Rob queried whether members should be asked for a contribution towards the trees. Bridget confirmed that Swansea traders do contribute. Alun said that has previously posed problems with non-payment. It was agreed that this would be reviewed in good time this year, to allow for options to be properly considered and tenders to be offered.
Alun confirmed that there were 43 members, of which to date 29 were paid up members.
5 To appoint Auditors for the forthcoming year
Alun requested approval to reappoint the Auditors for the forthcoming year. This motion was approved without objection. It was requested that a letter of thanks be sent to the accountants for their services, which Bridget agreed to send.
6 Secretary’s Report
Bridget delivered a report on Chamber activities for the previous year (attached).
7 Election of Officers
Following consideration of the voting papers, Bridget announced the results of the election of Chamber of Trade Officers, as follows:
President Margaret Minhinnick
Vice President Elen Jones
Hon Treasurer Alun Edwards
Executive John Berry BEM
Gemma Lewis
Jonathan Hurley
Alun congratulated Margaret on her election as President and Elen as Vice-President, as well as the new Executive members.
8 Presentation – ‘What is Better Porthcawl’ by Guest Speaker, Ella Williamson, Local Sustainable Development Officer
Margaret introduced Ella and explained her role as local Sustainable Wales Sustainable Development Officer, which was Peoples’ Postcode Lottery funded.
Ella thanked the Chamber for inviting her to speak and added that she was enjoying her new role. Ella explained that ‘Better Porthcawl’ had been set up to improve communication and engagement with BCBC in respect of the regeneration programme. Ella hoped to also engage with Porthcawl Town Council.
Ella said that Porthcawl Civic Trust, A Vision for the Future of Porthcawl, Sustainable Wales and SUSSED had already joined Better Porthcawl and invited the Chamber of Trade to join also.
A brief discussion ensued. Bridget commented that it would not be appropriate to take a vote on joining Better Porthcawl at the AGM, without a motion having been put forward prior to the meeting, to which all members had been informed.
Alun asked if Ella could prepare a report on objectives and aims of Better Porthcawl, which could be circulated to all members before being invited to vote on whether the Chamber should join the group. Ella agreed to this.
9 Closing Remarks
Margaret thanked members for voting her and looked forward to her further term of office.
The AGM was closed.
A buffet reception followed.
