1. PRESENT :

1.1 Office Bearers:

                Mrs T McLeod Honorary President

                Ms M de Blieck Chair

                Mrs S Porteous Deputy Chair Miss P Crook Promotions Secretary

                Mr M Hitchon Treasurer

                Mr A Ritchie Business /Membership Secretary

1.2 Representatives:

Mr R Bramwell, Mr D Moore, Mrs H Wyllie, Mr R Smillie, Mr J Coutts, Mr I Adams, Mr I McGaffney, Mr J Wilson, Mrs D MacLellan, Mrs M Reader, Mrs C Lorimer, Mrs M Morrall, Mr E Sleight, Mrs M Miller, Mr T Scott, Miss J Strachan,

Mrs E Bain, Mrs B Finlay, Mrs A Ford, Mrs S Andrew.

 

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE :

Mrs E Tucker, Mr S McKinlay, Mrs S Scott, Mrs J Dudney, Mrs M Bolton,

Mr J Gardiner, Mrs M Clark, Mrs A Mott, Mrs P Martin, Mr K O’Hara,

Dr G Williams, Ms K Clachan.

 

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22nd June 2009 :

Adoption of the Minutes was proposed by Mrs M Reader and seconded by

Mr D Moore, and the Minutes were approved.

 

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES :

None.

 

5. REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE :

The Annual Report is the same as that presented to OSCAR (the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator), as required by charities legislation.

The Report was adopted unanimously.

The text of the Report is reproduced as part of the APPENDIX to these Minutes.

Relevant sections will be published on the Guild’s website.

The Treasurer also included an extensive report on the 2009-2010 Concert Series and circulated copies. This covered details of the concerts themselves with audience feedback, a receipts and payments account, make-up of sales, analysis of audience numbers and origin (by postcode), and samples of publicity material. The average attendance was up 15% compared with the previous season with the standard of performance as high as ever. A particular highlight was the Royal Scottish National Orchestra concert with Nicola Benedetti, specially arranged to celebrate ‘Homecoming Year’.

The Committee hopes to make more use of the Council Chamber in Ayr Town Hall, possibly for lunch-time or Sunday afternoon events, embracing the spoken word as well as music.

 

6. FINANCIAL REPORT :

6.1 Mr M Hitchon circulated copies of the Guild’s independently examined accounts for the past year and explained the contents in detail. There are approximately 80 groups, affiliated and subscribing, and 274 individual members. Overall, the Guild’s finances are in a generally healthy state.

6.2 No increase in affilation/membership fees is proposed, despite yet another recent increase in postage rates.

6.3 The Treasurer expressed his gratitude to Miss M Laird for her help in ordering and examining the accounts. Those present thanked Mr Hitchon and Miss Laird for their work. A gift has been sent to Miss Laird in appreciation.

6.4 The Treasurer expressed his thanks to all who had given of their time and talents to further the work of the Guild, and in particular to those - flower arrangers, stewards, bar staff, programme sellers - who enabled the Concert Season to run so smoothly and achieve the success it did.

6.5 The accounts were approved unanimously and are reproduced as part of the APPENDIX to these Minutes.

6.6 The Treasurer was thanked for all his work on the Guild’s finances and for presenting the accounts in such a clear manner.

 

7. ELECTION OF OFFICERS :

There were no nominations for any of these posts.

The serving Officers indicated that they would be willing to continue and they were re-appointed unanimously. They are :

Chair Ms Marilyn de Blieck

Vice-Chair Mrs Susan Porteous

Treasurer Mr Michael Hitchon

Business Secretary Mr Alastair Ritchie

Membership Secretary Mr Alastair Ritchie

Promotions Secretary Miss Pat Crook

The posts of Business and Membership Secretary continue to be combined for ease of administration.

 

8. APPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIVES :

Since there were no further nominations and since the three current members expressed their willingness to continue, they were re-appointed unanimously :

Mr Raymond Bramwell.

Mr Robert Smillie.

Mr David Moore.

The suggestion was made that the Constitution might be amended to permit more than three to be appointed, but this was rejected, since it has already proved difficult to find three persons each year.

 

9. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER :

Miss M Laird has expressed her willingness to continue to examine the accounts of the Guild, and she was therefore re-appointed unanimously. Those present asked the Treasurer to convey their gratitude to Miss Laird for her work over so many years.

 

10. CONSIDERATION OF ANY MOTION SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE 9(c) OF THE CONSTITUTION :

None submitted.

 

11. ANY OTHER COMPETENT BUSINESS :

                None.