Cat Planet

Delegates attend October 2009 Meeting

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy Meeting of Council

Held on Wednesday 28th October 2009

at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London at 1.00 PM

1. No Apologies

2. Minutes of Meeting 24th June 2009

3. Matters Arising from Minutes of Council Meeting 24th June 2009

John Hansson addressed the hall by saying that the current way is not working very well, and asks the delegates for their views.

Barry Newcombe, Essex Cat Club says that the only way he can think of but will take time is for people to speak for 30 seconds.

Sally Rainbow Ockwell, Long Hair Cream & Blue Cream CA suggested that a nomination from the floor is required and fears that the appointment to Executive is not being taken seriously, we need to know what members of the Executive are bringing to the table, Sally suggested there should be nominations and voting forms on the GCCF website and that clubs should send the forms back in and at the June meeting the results would be announced.

John Hansson said this would require key voting.

Celia Langford, National Cat Club said that if it were a ‘proper company, the 50 word requirement would be much extended and that we need to stop the ‘you vote for me and I will vote for you’ situation we currently have, the statement needs to show what you are able to bring to Executive and what you intend to achieve.

John Hansson agreed and reiterated Celia’s comments and stated that there was a requirement in place currently which was not being met by the 50 word statements.

John Hansson explained that the situation of pedigrees discussed in the June meeting needed to be ‘back peddled’ owing to the inadequacy of the current computer system which will not allow an increase.

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club requested clarification if we had a financial system that was unable to make an alteration.

Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club was called upon by Mr Hansson to explain the situation.

Frances explained the existing system produces 5 generation pedigrees on a search but only on a ‘white carriage print out’ which could perhaps be used for admin purposes, Frances explained that to produce a pedigree of reasonable quality the nearest the office had to target is a 4 generation pedigree on GCCF stationary taking the data from the database, in order to produces a 5 generation pedigree, 4 generation of the cat and 4 generations of the parents were required.

Frances then explained the difficulties of this with the imported cats we have in this country and that the GCCF was unable to certify those pedigrees and that there was undoubtedly mistakes in the imported cat’s pedigrees.

Frances said that a change of system or enhancement of both the IBM and interface of the PC system was required and that to those of the delegates who were aware of the system, it’s a matter of what we can do and not what we would like to do.

John Hansson asked if that had answered the question.

John Robinson responded by saying that the system is inferior.

DEFERRED ITEMS

GCCF RULE CHANGES

Jen Lacey, Korat Cat Association stood and talked through the club’s proposal to council, during the presentation Jen explained the importance of micro chipping in identification of breeding cats and also in the recovery of lost or stolen cats giving peace of mind to the owner and also welfare to the cat.

Jen explained that this was not a large expense to the owner/breeder and that there would be no extra cost to the GCCF as it was already listed on relevant forms. The proposal was not telling breeders that they should chip their kittens and it was not about lining vet’s pockets which was met my a round of laughter from the delegates, Jen ended with stating it was not supposed to be an expense, it is to be helpful.

National Cat Club asked if tattooing would be acceptable and if this were to be a guideline or a rule. John Hansson stated it would be a rule change.

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club said it was probably his age but that this had been discussed before, as was tattooing and it was decided that it was up to the discresion of the owner.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club said that Mrs Lacey had stated it would stop monorchid stud cats being used but we already have that covered with the certificate of entirety, this was met by a round of applause.

Steven Parkin, Abyssinian Cat Association said that this proposal had come up at least 3 times prior to the June council meeting and that stud cats being kept in gardens are more likely to be lost or stolen.

Pamela Sharp Popple, Old Style Siamese Cat Club said that her stud cat had escaped on Christmas Day whilst being fed his Christmas lunch and was found by the Blue Cross, had he not been micro chipped, he would surely have been neutered, as it was he was returned safely and ‘in tact’.

Nicky Goulter, Long Hair & Semi Longhair Cat Club said that she had been micro chipping for 8 years and that it is an easy way to prove who the cat is, Nicky said that Fife microchip and have to have microchip numbers on all Queen and Stud registrations.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club said she understood and that her stud was micro chipped, however it is her choice to do this and again comes down to costing.

Harry Meekings, Siamese Cat Association said he would lie to speak about the issue of integrity, what is guaranteed is that the cat may not be the one produced to the vet, Harry went on to say that checking the microchip of a stud you take your queen to does not mean that it is that cat your queen is mated to, this was met by a round of applause.

Harry said it should be the owner who decides if a cat is micro chipped.

Susan Griss, Teeside Cat Club said that in order to be a part of the FAB scheme your cat needs to be micro chipped so why not with the Certificate of Entirety.

Jen Lacey stood to address the room’s comments and said that all of the vets she had spoken to regarding this proposal were very very pleased which was met by a large amount of laughter, Steve Parkin asked the room to have some decorum. Jen went on to say it would allow vets to know who they were giving the certificate of entirety to, Jen said she had spoken to T G Jones and that he had said he knew of no harm that had come to a cat that had been micro chipped and that he was in favour of the move.

On the matter of integrity Jen said there is only one way of dealing with that and it was by DNA testing which may occasionally be used, it should be there in case it is needed, be it at a show or because of breeding, there was only one way and that was it.

John Hansson took the item to a vote and the proposal was lost.

Amended to read: The closing date for entries must be prominently printed on the schedule. Show managements may accept entries after this date only if they can be included in the catalogue of the show (see Section 2, Rule 11 below. "Show managements are authorised to refuse entries but must give a valid reason to the exhibitor" but in case of such refusals all entry monies must be returned to sender.

Dominic Bray, Kernow Cat Club as a show manager said that he had had certain reasons to refuse entry to certain people and that those people could not fight a ‘no reason’ but could fight a ‘reason’ and wanted ‘valid’ defined.

John Hansson said that a valid reason would be a valid reason.

Dominic Bray asked how you put bad behaviour into a valid reason.

John Hansson said exactly that.

Dominic Bray asked how he would prove that.

Gillian Bennett said that in these times not giving a reason is generally not acceptable and that the GCCF solicitor advises that by not giving a reason it could end up at judicial revue, it is what has happened in Scotland and they won and it was expensive.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club said clubs, pubs etc did not have to give a reason to refuse entry so why should cat clubs.

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club said that most people around were against this and that ‘valid’ is too subjective, if you are going to put something in print you must also seek legal advice, John said he had sought advice and that they thought a judicial revue would be highly unlikely, John warned delegates to be very very careful if they started to put things in print as it is the individual who is liable and not the club.

Harry Meekings, Siamese Cat Asoociation questioned the presentation of the amendment and John Hansson confirmed it was an error.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club said that Show Managers should have the courage of their convictions to say why they were refusing access.

Kim Griggs, Kernow Cat Club asked how show managers were to have time to deal with this whilst dealing with late entries giving no time for the exhibitor to appeal and giving no time to enter another show.

John Hansson said, the same as before with a one liner.

Janet Tonkinson, HOLCC said anyone who chose to reject an entry and give a reason is open to litigation if it is a private company or not.

Mrs Dorothy Tomlinson, Manchester & District Cat Club said she has an exhibitor she doesn’t want at her show because of fighting in the aisles but is worried about being accused of libel for giving a reason.

Barry Newcombe, Essex Cat Club said that he believes that by saying ‘my opinion’ you can say what you like without fear of libel.

John Hansson quipped ‘In your opinion?’

The room laughed.

Jen Lacey, Korat Cat Association suggested that it could be handed back to the GCCF solicitor regarding fears of litigation and judicial review etc.

John Hansson took the item to a vote and the proposal was lost.

John Hansson invited Steve Crow to address the meeting. Steve said that the Genetics Committee terms of reference had been on the GCCF website for some 9 months, enabling the Cat Fancy to read what was within them. The genetics committee had decided to increase the members from 5 to 7 enabling better discussion at meetings, the committee want to sign off the terms of reference at their October meeting.

The Proposed Breeding Policy had also been on the website for some months and had prompted 3 written responses and that he was in the process of amending the policy and will distribute to members of the genetics committee and then executive.

Steve told the delegates that the policies would need to be reviewed regularly and discussed with BAC’s and clubs. Steve talked about implementing a genetics register and the difficulties with IT limitations in the office but hoped to have something in mind by the end of the calendar year.

John Hansson extended a huge vote of thanks to Steve Crow for all his hard work and that his work had done a lot to safeguard the Cat Fancy, John thanked him from us all, this was met with a round of applause.

Naomi Johnson, Lincolnshire Cat Club asked Steve what written amendments had been sent in. Steve Crow said that it would be too much to read them out but he would give the substance of them.

One written response had asked for the layout to be changed into annexes.

One other was principally about restrictive breeding practices, he explaine dthe committee didn’t agree completely with every point made.

The third was from Anthony Nichols, LaPerm Cat Club with a number of issues, especially regarding breeds considered to not be acceptable ever, Steve said it was a useful test on how how the committee wrote the policy and has made them more centred on how they put these documents together.

John Hansson represented the GCCF at this year’s World Cat Congress, at no cost to the GCCF, there was talk about new breeds and if the GCCF would host the World Cat Congress in 2013.

John asked the delegates to consider the proposal and that if the GCCF were to become hosts they would need to organise an all breed show and a seminar, maybe in conjunction with FAB and maybe with genetics as the subject.

John said there is little the GCCF can do regarding other registries accepting new breeds and talked about polydactyl Pixie Bobs and Maine Coons and said that the GCCF will never accept these breeds, although one organisation had already accepted this breed.

John told the delegates that next year’s World Cat Congress is in Australia and that no one from the GCCF would attend unless there was no cost.

John Hansson opened the discussion by saying the GCCF website was getting reports up quicker than ever before although he accepted some judges were not complying although the letter sent out to them earlier in the year had told them that they must comply, there are plans in place to have this measured, however it was important not to put the responsibility on the Show Manager and that they are making head way.

Steven Parkin, Abyssinian Cat Association suggested all open results were put on the GCCF website.

John Hansson said it would be unreasonable to add that to the already busy office’s workload.

A delegate stood and asked why the titled cats list had not been updated since June 2008, John Hansson said this was a valid point.

Jen Lacey, Korat Cat Association said that it was in fact on the GCCF website however it was ambiguous and was in one section and needs correcting.

John Hansson said Marcia Owen needs congratulating.

Janet Tonkinson, HOLCC addressed John Hansson and asked who the Expressions of Interest were from.

John Hansson would not say who the expressions were from and said they were in the minutes and that currently the expressions were not progressing and again led the delegates to the GCCF website asking how everyone was finding the reports.

Jen Lacey, Korat Cat Association suggested that a list was given to Show Managers that could be completed some weeks after the show indicating who had completed their reports and who had not.

John Hansson said he liked the idea.

4. MINUTES OF MEETINGS

The information contained in these Minutes may be superseded by the Minutes of subsequent meetings.

Executive Committee

Julian Hague, queried a typo on Page 2, Para 2

Pamela Sharp Popple, Old Style Siamese Cat Club questioned EC2431 b) b) regarding the rejection of making a new class for Traditional Siamese.

John Hansson explained that in order to ‘create’ a new section, the breed must apply for progression.

Pamela responded that they are not a new breed but that judges preferred the new ‘typey’ style and that the traditional looking Siamese are not getting anywhere.

The banter went back and forward between John and Pamela until Pamela decided to take the answer back to her club.

Jane Francis Wilson, Oriental Cat Association asked the Chair about the proposal from her club regarding a business plan and that although there had been much discussion there had been nothing concrete.

John Hansson said that all meetings were fully taken up and that they are busy and all they are doing day to day was clicking their heels and that they need to forward a plan.

Steve Crow, Burmese Cat Club stood and stated he was not speaking as a member of Executive and said that the GCCF does need a business plan, because if the GCCF were to be incorporated they would need to do at least a 3 year strategic plan to include big things like computers etc, then a one year plan would be brought to council every year with a 1 year financial plan, so that everyone was able to vote for a plan.

The reason there has been some delay is because of everything else going on.

Steve took his seat to a round of applause.

Jane Francis Wilson asked that all comments from her, John Hansson and Steve Crow were fully minuted.

Sally Rainbow Ockwell,Long Hair Cream & Blue Cream Cat Association addressed the room and thanked Steve for the update and said she would like to see a commitment for when that plan would be back to council, a 3 year plan would have predicted the trouble the GCCF currently find themselves in, plans would allow council to see what the board is doing and more importantly who is accountable.

John Hansson said that one thing prevents that is that we have to accept we have an awful lot of people who have skills to help and perhaps (and I hate to say these words) a working party should be formed.

John went on to say that the biggest problem is the IT system we are on a steady decline and it seriously needs updating and it makes it difficult to progress forward.

9. APPLICATION FOR BREED PROMOTION

The Executive Committee proposes the following with effect from 1st June 2010

Passed

Pat Norman, Southern Counties Cat Club addressed the meeting and said it was the first time she had addressed the delegates but speaking on behalf of the Oriental Bi-Color Group she wanted to thank them all so much, Pat said she could barely speak and sounded choked.

Passed

10. STANDARDS OF POINTS

Executive Committee recommends the following with effect from 1st June 2010

Passed

b) Burmese BAC proposed amendments to the Burmese Standard of Points (circulated)

Passed

Passed

John Hansson joked ‘if only it was always as easy as this.

11. APPLICATION FOR AFFILIATION

The Executive Committee recommends the following with immediate effect;

Passed

Passed

Passed

John Hansson joked, this has to end soon!

14. SHOW MATTERS

Show Licence List approved at September Executive (for information only)

Mick Coomer Shropshire Cat Club enquired regarding the Coventry & Leicester club situation after they did not send in their club returns and asked if Coventry & Leicester had their show licence granted.

John Hansson conferred with Wendy Jennings, Office manager who confirmed the licence had been granted, John added however it would be under review.

Mick Coomer said that the club was making plans to make sure it doesn’t happen again and apologized on behalf of the club.

15. JUDGES

Rosemary Caunter, Ocicat Club requested the wording on the Ocicat judges for approval entry had the wording ‘Ocicat Classic’ removed.

All Passed

All Agreed

CLUBS

The Colourpoint Rex Coated & AOV Cat Club would like the delegates of the GCCF to support their application to be a member of the Sphynx BAC

Patsy Knight, CRAOV addressed the meeting and said that her club had been in operation for over 50 years and their aim was to support new breeds, one of which was the Sphynx and that the CRAOV have had many Sphynx OwnerBreeder members for 10-15 years, after spending much time supporting the Sphynx and the Sphynx BAC the club was told they were no longer required as part of the BAC and that 3 clubs were adequate.

Patsy told delegates that without the CRAOV and Essex Cat Club the Sphynx would have disappeared, Patsy said that the club was hurt and upset that although a founder member of the Sphynx they were no longer wanted or needed.

Barry Newcombe, Essex Cat Club who is also a member of the Sphynx Breeders Association and the CRAOV addressed the delegates and said that without the CRAOV the Sphynx would not have progressed and questions why on that basis they shouldn’t be a part of the BAC.

Anne Gregory, Southern & South Western Birman Cat Club addressed the room as Chairman of the Sphynx BAC and read from the CRAOV seminar in July 2009 that stated the club is happy to take on new breeds until they have their own specialist clubs.

There was some discussion regarding the title of the club not including the breed ‘Sphynx’ and therefore they are unable to be on the Sphynx BAC, Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Cat Club said that council was always changing rules, could this one not be changed aswell?

John Hansson asked what would happen if CRAOV had a Burmese or Siamese contingency amongst their members, would they want to sit on the Siamese and Burmese BAC’s?

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club, also a member of CRAOV said that 3 clubs on a BAC was not enough and would council restrict the Siamese section to 3 clubs on their BAC? Mick went on to say that a new breed having a club support them like CRAOV helped the process of becoming affiliated to the GCCF.

John Hansson dismissed this.

Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club explained that past longstanding members were allowed to cater for the named breeders in their title, Frances acknowledged the work CRAOV has done for new breeds but it only caters for the named breeds in its club title and went on to say that she cannot support any movement for the CRAOV to cater for anything other than the breeds mentioned in the title of the club.

Patsy Knight said she is not political and without the CRAOV support the Sphynx BAC would not even exist and that they deserve a place on the BAC.

John Hansson said that the Sphynx are not part of the Rex breed and that he has been Chair of the Sphynx BAC and in that time the CRAOV has never been a part of the Sphynx BAC.

8. SUPREME SHOW

John Hansson called on Celia Leighton, Show Manager of the Supreme Cat Show to address the meeting.

Celia joked as she walked to the microphone that she hoped to have had a cup of tea first!

Celia started by extending thanks to all and that the Supreme was up on last year.

Celia asked everyone to spread the word that Pru Kerr would be taking all of Miss Nimlock’s classes as she was now unable to attend and although it was on the website she was aware that not everyone looked at it.

Celia told the delegates that 114 kittens had been entered into the new kitten class and so instead of using one judge they had found it necessary to put 4 judges in place, although prizes would be unaffected, Celia was unsure of how the new kitten class would work but everyone would find out on the day but to please obey the instructions in the catalogue.

Celia asked that no more than 200 toys were entered into the stuffed toy competition as they only had 200 rosettes and that toys could be taken home after judging and before the end of the day.

Mrs Dean, said that Celia should be congratulated which was met with a round of applause.

Celia suggested they save their thanks until after the day!

John Hansson asked for any more questions, the room was quiet and Celia quipped ‘Now you see they are all happy.’

Steven Parkin asked if Celia was confident on her remit to break even.

Celia responded confidently, ‘Absolutely’, she went on to say that it was going to be cozy as they were using only 2 halls.

Pamela Sharp Popple asked Celia if exhibitors could go in the day before to dress their pens, Celia confirmed that exhibitors could dress their pens but that they would have to work.

Brian Gregory, Maidstone & Medway Cat Club addressed the meeting and said that exhibitors can dress their pens but they would have to check with Celia first to be signed off.

John Hansson said exhibitors are expected to do a degree of work.

Celia Leighton asked that exhibitors didn’t come until 3pm and had left by 6pm so they could go for some dinner!

Mary Taylor, asked how many entries Celia had achieved.

Celia responded that there are 1174 entries and that includes exhibition row, club row and kittens, but laughed ‘please don’t quote me!’ John Hansson quipped ‘I am sure someone will’.

Celia ended with saying she looked forward to seeing everyone on the day.

John Hansson called the meeting to a break

John called the meeting back to order and introduced a new face sat at the top table as Lynne Brown, a new member of the Office Team.

16. DISCUSSION ITEM

From Executive "Should Exhibitors' addresses appear in catalogues"

John asked Helen Marriott Power how it had gone at the 3 shows it had been trialed at and Helen responded, she didn’t really know and didn’t mind either way.

Chester & North Wales Cat Club suggested only a Name and Pen number should be included.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club said clubs need the addresses for sending out rosettes and other club related matters.

John Hansson said that in theory the names and addresses being in a catalogue could leave exhibitors vulnerable to being targeted.

Sean Farrell, said that he had been targeted as a result of a name, address and telephone number being published together and that exhibitors are out of the house from 8.30 until 5pm minimum on a show day and are an ideal target to burglaries.

Gillian Bennett said it was reasonable for it to be an option and that it was a useful advertising tool for kitten sales.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Cat Club said that its not only exhibitors but Show Managers who have their details much more prominently at the front of the catalogue and said that one of her own section managers was targeted.

Anne Madden, Birman Cat Club said it was invaluable to have names and addresses in the back of the catalogue and is one of the first things she looks at in a catalogue.

John Robinson, West Country cat club said it wasn’t logistical unless it was all or nothing from a programming point of view and also from a human error standpoint if someone requested the details were not included and were by error.

John Hansson asked how easy it was to remove one address in catalogue software.

Lisa Talboys, West Country Cat Club sat with her feet up was asked by John Hansson if she was comfortable which illicted some laughter said there has to be allowance for human error, and that with all the best will in the world she tries to remember but is often doing 100 other things and could make a mistake.

Elaine Culf, said that she had one exhibitor request not to be included in the catalogue owing to her husband being in the forces.

7. FINANCE

Tom Holway started with saying September 2009 accounts showed Good News and Sept 09 is up 4.5k on Sept 08.

Tom told the delegates that he keeps a graph that shows the trend in income and this has consistently showed a consistent dropping over the last 2 years, however this leveled 2 months ago and is now increasing slightly, Tom said his expectation was that it will keep increasing.

Tom said the GCCF costs are under control.

Tom moved onto The Supreme accounts and said that Exhibitor entry fees are down around £1000 on last year.

Tom said he would hope to see an alarming increase in income for stand receipts in October 2009.

Tom said Cash flow was slightly better than expected, he thought the cash would get to a low of around £20k, however it went down to £48k and this should give the GCCF a good start to next year. Tom said his report was a bit potted but the delegates had a lot to get through.

Jean Clare, National Cat Club asked Tom to explain the Office Service Recharge.

Tom explained the charge was for The Supreme and for the Disciplinary Committee, Tom explained that the actual cost of labour had been worked out and that it equates to around £1k a month, further to this Tom had worked out that if the recharge had not been done each year the GCCF would not have benefited from £81k from The Supreme and that the GCCF would almost certainly have gone bust, The Supreme had done the GCCF a lot of good financially. John Robinson, West Country Cat Club asked for a projected figure in the bank account at the end of the year. Tom said he was trying not to be too optimistic but thought there would be around £80k-£100k.

John Robinson asked if we were to trade well next year we should not go bust, and asked if we could trade without the fear of going bust and there would be no need to call on clubs for financial assistance.

Tom said things are starting to improve.

John Robinson stated the actions the GCCF were taking had made the clubs safe.

Proposal from the Executive Committee Exhibitors will be offered engraved medals at a cost of £15. 00 for cats who win their titles from 1st June 2009. Certificates will continue to be available at no charge.

Jim Coomer Shropshire Cat Club said the medals were seen as expensive, and asked if anyone had tried to find a cheaper supplier.

John Hansson explained that the GCCF had a ‘stockpile’ of medals that were not plated or engraved.

Janet Tonkinson HOLCC said that Council had previously debated about medals been sent out un-engraved for exhibitors to engrave themselves.

John Hansson explained this was not viable owing to the medals not being plated until after engraving had taken place.

Jen Lacey, Korat Cat Association said that it should be optional.

Rosemary Caunter, Ocicat Club said it should be optional and perhaps a nice paper certificate would be more cost effective.

John Hansson said they would look at it.

Patsy Knight, CRAOV asked how many were in reserve and why there were so many in reserve.

John conferred with Wendy Jennings and the meeting was told there were around 2000 medals in reserve.

Dominic Bray, Kernow Cat Club asked how long they would be expected to last.

Keith Scruton asked what the cost of scrapping the medals and starting again would be.

Jean Clare, National Cat Club said the point is that the situation we are in at present says that we should ask ourselves if we can afford to send out medals.

John Hansson reiterated the proposal, that it was to take the cost away from the GCCF and onto the exhibitor.

Liz McKenzie Wood said that her cat had qualified for a medal and she was happy to pay £15 for it.

Another delegate said they were also happy to pay for a medal.

The Proposal was passed

An additional administration fee of £10 to be charged for all complaints received.

It was established that the £10 was an increase on the already agreed £150 and was to be seen as an admin charge.

Gillian Bennett was asked to address the meeting and said it was an admin charge to contribute to postage and photocopying etc in fixed penalty cases.

Irene Roos questioned that it was all complaints and that welfare cases should be excluded. John Hansson said the proposal said ‘all’ and asked the delegates to ‘hurry along’ as he wanted to spend an hour on the last item.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club said the cost of bringing a complaint in motor sport 10 years ago was £20-£25 so £10-£15 was not a lot of money, Mick also mentioned that this was refunded if the appeal was valid.

Dot Woodhouse, said one of her club members had spent some time looking at adverts on the internet and found some breeders advertising kittens not observing the GCCF’s rules and guidelines and would like to make complaints against some of them but could not afford £10 for each time.

Steve Crow, Burmese Cat Club stood and said the GCCF needs to run in a business way and that we cannot do that currently, people question £20k spent on investigation, we have to make some relatively tough decisions, £10 isn’t a vast amount of money, if Governing Council doesn’t survive because of a lack of funds, then it wont matter as there wont be anyone to complain to.

John Hansson said that this money will go towards offsetting the costs and said "Vote for it or vote against it, we are going downhill and you are pushing us."

The proposal was passed.

6. PROPOSAL FROM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO INCORPORATE THE GCCF

Keith Scruton addressed the meeting by saying that in June 2009 it had been agreed that Executive would investigate becoming a Limited Company and that he had found out that in order to do that the GCCF would have to agree to the 2006 Companies Act.

Keith explained that he had downloaded model articles from the Companies House website and had modified them to suit the GCCF.

Subsequent to the Council paperwork being sent out Keith had asked 2 people to look at the paperwork and they had suggested changes which had been given to delegates present.

During the presentation Keith said that the Treasurer was not intended to be a director of the company.

Celia Langford, National Cat Club said that it was only since Tom Holloway had been the Treasurer that Council had got to grips with the accounts.

Keith said that Executive were suggesting the option of having a salaried treasurer or an honorary treasurer.

Keith was asked who the Company Secretary would be as there was no mention of it in the paperwork, Keith responded by saying Wendy Jennings, the current GCCF Office Manager was to be Company Secretary.

Celia Langford said that Wendy was very nice but understood her to be a secretary and not a limited company secretary.

Keith said it was time to Move on.

Dorothy, Manchester Cat Club asked who decided what was reasonable for Executive to claim as expenses.

Keith responded that Executive do not claim money, they give their time and cost for travelling free.

Dorothy retorted ‘and so they should’

Keith responded ‘Thank you’

Keith carried on and when he broke John Hansson interjected and address the delegates saying he was angry that a delegate should suggest Executive should not claim for reasonable expenses and that delegates should remember how much Executive do.

Dorothy responded that members of Executive should do it for the love of the hobby.

John Hansson said that Executive put many hours in that they don’t have to, it isn’t a good thing for a member of council to say considering the amount of days and hours they give up.

Dorothy responded that if they are doing all of that at their own expense then well done them,

Dorothy went on to say that all members of all clubs do the same.

Steve Crow, Burmese Cat Club said council don’t want to get too acrimonious as it wasn’t helping, what is written can seem confusing in writing, Executive would not claim as a Limited Company in any way differently to what they currently do, there is a current way of justification and that will continue, Steve went on to say lets not get hung up on that we are creating a beast here, it will be a similar process to now, we need to sort of think about it in those terms.

Anne Gregory, Southern & South Western Birman addressed the meeting by saying that it is the delegates that elect the people they trust onto Executive and she felt it was a great shame you could lose someone that wouldn’t be able to pay the train fare to London to attend meetings.

Carol Pike from the Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club asked why there were so many people needed on the board and questioned why the board needed to be the whole of Executive.

There was some discussion regarding term of office for members of the board which were to be made up from members of the elected Executive, the suggestion was that Chair and Vice Chair would hold office for a term of 3 years and that The board would be renewed in thirds over a period of 3 years, Keith suggested that this be back dated to June 2009.

The proposal was passed.

Doreen Goadby, Shorthair Cat Club and Member of Executive addressed the delegates and said that members of Executive had not been told and nor had they agreed to the 3 year term of office and therefore she could not agree to it.

John Robinson again reiterated what was said by Tom Holway earlier in the meeting that there was not an immediate pressing financial problem and so the decision and vote should be held off until the next meeting to allow delegates to discuss what had been said with their clubs.

Janet Tonkinson, HOLCC proposed the item was deferred and that was seconded by Dorothy Woodhouse, a vote was taken and the motion was passed.

Keith Scruton invited delegates to contact him with any queries they may have regarding GCCF becoming incorporated in the future.

The meeting was closed.

This report is constructed from contemporaneous notes and no part should be accepted or construed as a complete, verbatim account of any or all conversations during the meeting.

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Francis Sketch   |2009-10-31 08:22:55 I note with horror the note about the incorporation having been done in Aug, and the self appointment of just two directors. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised - the action is typical of that shown by the chairman GCCF. Council should be recalled to exclude undemocratic actions by the officers of the GCCF Reply | Quote 11   0

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