GCCF Council Meeting Report - April 2010

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GCCF Council Meeting Report - April 2010

Written by Administrator

Thursday, 15 April 2010

Delegates Vote For Incorporation

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy

Meeting of Council

Held on Wednesday 14th April 2010

at Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London at 1.30 PM

Sean Farrell and Helen Marriott Power (Executive) were on the microphones, enabling the hall to hear delegates when they spoke.

The meeting started late at 1.10, called to order by John Hansson, GCCF Chairman.

John Hansson, Chairman opened the meeting with the news that there was an issue with taking a vote on the Incorporation of the GCCF at today’s meeting and that the issue raised was that of the meeting being constitutional. The meeting had been rearranged when there was a threat of a rail strike, notification by the internet was given to delegates with 14 days notice, however the GCCF constitution demands that 28 days written notice is given to delegates before any meeting can take place, therefore any vote taken at the meeting would be null, void and pointless.

However, John told the meeting that there was perhaps a loop hole that indicated a ‘Special Meeting’ only needed 14 days notice and put to the delegates that it was up to them to decide and that it was for them to review the situation.

Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club addressed the meeting and said that the important question was if the meeting was considered an ‘Ordinary’ meeting which required 28 days notice or a ‘Special’ meeting that required 14 days notice, Frances quoted Article 9.1, page 4.

Frances indicated that in any event, there was no adequate written notice of the meeting in either instance, she went on to say that her minutes were received in the post on Easter Tuesday, giving 8 days notice of the meeting.

Gill Wilson, Abyssinian Cat Club quoted the constitution and said that in order to raise a ‘Special Meeting’ it needed to be requested by The Chairman and Vice Chairman and 15 delegates and cant have more than one agenda item, therefore this was an ordinary meeting.

Keith Scruton, Vice Chairman responded that the Chairman can only call a special meeting, so this must be one and that John had said in the February meeting that this was a special one.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club said that this was a GCCF meeting of council and that it was clearly not a special one, Carol said she was sorry for pointing this out.

Brenda Wolstenholme, Preston & Blackpool Cat Club said that she agreed it was not a special meeting and that it was a normal one, but if the delegates did not make a decision today then they would have to do it another time and that today had seen a great turnout, Brenda asked if the delegates could just vote to go ahead.

Gillian Bennett, Nor’ East of Scotland Cat Club said that delegates had changed dates before which had placed a precedent so proposed it was put forward.

Jim Mcleod, Somerset Cat Club said that surely this is a decision for the losing party over the legality of the decision, the GCCF may be able to argue but it would take time and a considerable amount of money.

John Hansson said that the any vote taken would need to be ratified at the next meeting.

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club said that basically the meeting was best served as a discussion because whatever vote was taken will have to be redone.

John Hansson said they would not be voting again.

John Robinson asked if they were to vote on taking a vote.

Tania Murray, Maine Coon Cat Club said that the delegates needed to make a decision, clubs had used up much money to send delegates to the meeting and the decision needed to be made and it needed to be made quickly. John Hansson said that the general consensus of opinion was that they should vote on if the delegates should go ahead with the vote.

The Vote was taken

In Favour - 148

Against - 3

Abstentions – 7

John Hansson said that any votes taken at the meeting would still have to be ratified.

1. Apologies

Steve Crow, (Executive) Burmese Cat Club stood and told the meeting that Christina Dugdale had contacted him to say that she was unable to attend the meeting because she was unwell and was sorry that she couldn’t be there.

John Hansson asked to speak to Anne Gregory, South & South Western Birman Cat Club (Executive), privately to which the hall laughed.

John retook his seat at the top table and informed the delegates that he had asked Anne if it was okay to have a minutes silence for Isobel Keane who had sadly passed away.

John asked the delegates to rise for a minute’s silence for Isobel Keane.

2. Minutes of Meeting 17th February 2010.

John Hansson moved the meeting on to 5. GCCF Incorporation which prompted a call from the floor for 3. Matters Arising. John Hansson apologised and said that he was losing the will to live.

3. Matters arising from minutes of meeting 17th February 2010.

Page 3 Item C C1689

Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club asked if council were changing the constitution or bylaws to include an honorary treasurer. John Hansson said that council had voted for Executive to appoint an Honorary Treasurer.

Frances again asked if the bylaws and constitution would be changed so that a re-election could take place in June and asked if it were on the agenda for today’s meeting.

John Hansson said that it was not but would be at a later meeting.

John Hansson again attempted to move the meeting to Item 5. Incorporation, there was again a call from the floor to first go to Item 4, Minutes of the Executive Meeting.

4. Minutes of Meeting – Executive Committee 6/01/10

5. Incorporation

Adrian Wood was introduced to the delegates, many of whom had seen him at the June 2009 meeting. Adrian is the GCCF’s auditor and warned delegates at the June 2009 meeting of the impending financial crisis the GCCF was in if action were not taken.

John Hansson asked Adrian to give an update on finances before delegates did anything else as Adrian was keen to get away.

A delegate asked which agenda item this was.

John Hansson said that Adrian had been invited to update delegates on the GCCF’s finances.

Adrian Wood said that he had attended the Finance meeting before the Council meeting and was going to outline figures that the delegates did not have. Situation at Dec 2009 was that the deficit was over £48k, with minor adjustments at the meeting the deficit was now just under £50k.

Net assets had reduced from over £464k to £415k. Adrian explained the Cat Fancy’s loss from 2008 to 2009 was almost halved. Adrian said that decisions made at the June 2009 meeting had been implemented which had undoubtedly helped the financial position of the GCCF.

Adrian said that the GCCF’s cash position on 31/12/08 was £140k and that on 31/12/09 it was £81k and that solvency was an issue, this meant running out of money.

Adrian said that cash reserves were at £97k on 31/3/10, he believes these are slightly improved because of June 2009 implementations.

A delegate suggested that the property owned in trust was a non liquid asset and should be rented out to raise income.

John Hansson pointed out that it was where the offices were run from and that is where the staff worked.

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club congratulated the GCCF finance team for good housekeeping and said that the GCCF had turned around the situation and the GCCF were moving in the right direction and asked if we were stable.

Steven Bunce, Honorary Treasurer replied that current Liabilities stood at £47k and indicated that the GCCF’s position was ‘precarious’.

John Robinson said that if he remembered rightly the issue with liquidity was not a problem after many clubs including Yorkshire and the Burmese Cat Club had offered to lend the GCCF money to help and so could be solved with a blink of an eye and that the clubs would not allow the GCCF to fail for the sake of money.

Sue Muswell, Norwegian Forest Cat Club said that the money in the clubs belongs to the members and that the GCCF could not rely on that money.

Steve Crow, Burmese Cat Club (Executive) said that if the GCCF was in crisis, they would have to go to the clubs, but that if they were to ask for £50k here and £100k there, the clubs would not put up with that.

Gill Wilson, Abyssinian Cat Club said she was wondering how many clubs present had a clause in their clubs constitutions allowing them to lend money and asked the delegates to think about it.

Barry Newcombe, Essex Cat Club said that he had been running successful businesses for many years and that one of the main ways of saving is by culling expenses, he said that in his opinion expenses needed to be trimmed and hoped that the people with the power to trim them would do just that.

Janet Tonkinson, Havana, Oriental Lilac Cat Club said that she recalled many years ago clubs lending the GCCF money to upgrade offices and computers and didn’t recall it being an issue.

Anne Madden, Birman Cat Club said that her club had voted to give the GCCF a loan of £1k, but that they could not afford to do it each and every year.

Steven Parkin, Abyssinian Cat Club asked Adrian Wood about the list of actions he had advised Council to do when he was last there at the June 2009 meeting and asked if there was anything else he felt needed to be implemented to further strengthen the financial position of the GCCF.

Adrian Wood responded that the selling of the GCCF’s property was an option that had not needed to be used but remained on the agenda and said that most of his suggestions had been implemented, he would still like to see a fee on the disciplinary committee and was pleased to see the Supreme turn a significant corner.

Adrian asked that an appraisal was made on how much each individual service the GCCF offered cost and that costs were brought in line on a pro rata basis.

Gill Wilson, Abyssinian Cat Club asked Mr Wood a ‘sensitive’ question and said that the last account indicated a large amount in the Salaries/NI/Pension figures in relation to turnover.

Adrian Wood said that he had mentioned to finance that salaries were running at 56% of the total GCCF expenditure and that there needed to be a raise in income or a decrease in expenditure and that salaries needed to be looked at in great detail.

John Hansson said that he and Keith Scruton were not being paid a salary of £60k a year, contrary to rumours, but if it were true for someone to tell him where it was as he had 2 years back pay to collect. The delegates laughed.

John Hansson said that it was time to move onto Incorporation and that it wasn’t going to solve all of the GCCF’s problems by becoming incorporated, but that whatever course the GCCF council would take, the decision needed to be made quickly and something had to be put in place to secure the business of the GCCF.

John then read out the following quote by Lord Justice Hughes on the matter of clubs:

“It is a necessary consequence of the different nature of an unincorporated association that all its members remain jointly and severally liable for its actions done within their authority.”

John said that “it could bite us on the backside if we don’t do something now”.

John went on to say that the delegates had to decide and said ‘that he meant’ decide, he said the delegates could talk and talk and talk but that they did have to make a decision, he said that the world was moving on and the GCCF remained stationary and that it was time to catch up.

John said that Christina Dugdale was not there but wanted to be there to support the move, he said that the delegates needed to know that.

John said again that the delegates had to make a decision and that he would not spend all day on one individual’s questions.

A delegate asked why the GCCF would automatically lose money if they were to stay as they were.

John Hansson said that incorporation would put the GCCF in the position to obtain loans if required and that the GCCF just needed to move on.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club asked if he could ask if there was actually a notion from the floor to become incorporated, that he had a voting slip which indicated a simple yes or no vote. Mick said that many clubs felt incorporation was the way forward but that there were many unanswered questions so that perhaps now was not the time and maybe council needed to remain in control.

Mick said that like the Kennel Club, the GCCF has the business side and also the hobby side that he likes to call ‘the furry side’, he said that people didn’t want the furry side changed and that part should be run by council and not by Executive/The Board.

John Hansson said that the Incorporation would not see a change in the constitution.

Steve Crow, Burmese Cat Club (Executive) said that the point had been made many times before and that he had lost count, he said that nothing changes, that discussions would still need to take place on how to strengthen the decision making process and said that he was concerned that people were already confused at the beginning of the meeting.

Steve said that Incorporation gives legal personality and limits financial risk and that the GCCF does not have sufficient and adequate liquidity to exist without Incorporation.

Sue Muswell, Norwegian Forest Cat Club asked what assets the GCCF has and how income would be generated from them.

John Hansson said that without registrations there would be no income.

Gill Wilson, Abyssinian Cat Club said that she was concerned about the business and furry side and that Council should remember they still elect The Board and that Directors were easier to get rid of if they were under-performing than in the current way. This was met with laughter across the hall.

Jane Francis Wilson, Oriental Cat Association said that everything for Incorporation that had been said was spot on and quoted the letter sent to the GCCF from the OCA (This can be read on Cat Planet) Jane called for an open, firm and minuted process which was committed to planning which was completely transparent.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club asked if the Executive would be Directors.

John Hansson responded that they would be.

There was some discussion regarding the increase in cost of registrations and John said that this always saw a drop in registration for around 3 months but that they often levelled back out.

Brenda Wolstenholme, Preston & Blackpool Cat Club said that Christina Dugdale was not there that day and that she felt she needed to say some words as a trustee and on her behalf, Brenda said that council must move forward and make a decision, that the council could not afford to keep procrastinating, the expert advice was that the best way forward was to Incorporate.

To protect the GCCF funds, they needed to be Incorporated, Brenda said that clubs would be sequestered to pay debts.

Sue Muswell, Norwegian Forest Cat Club said that Incorporation would allow the GCCF to use assets, the building could be borrowed against and that the GCCF could borrow if they wanted to and to invest if they wanted to.

Sue went on to say that in theory incorporation would give the GCCF access to other money they don’t currently have, Limited status which would allow them to borrow money and would improve their position.

Sue also suggested that the GCCF sells the expertise of the GCCF as they are good at what they do. Sue said there was no reason not to go ahead with Incorporation.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club asked if the Treasurer was part of the Executive and said that more professional people needed to be on the Board.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Persian Cat Club said she was surprised it was being suggested the GCCF should borrow money when they were unable to pay expenses and said that she wouldn’t be voting for Incorporation.

Carol went on to say she was concerned about ‘badgering’ Christina Dugdale's name around by saying she wanted the incorporation when Christina had told many delegates that she did not want it to go ahead.

John Hansson said “Oooooh well she will be interested to hear that” Carol responded that she had told her herself that she didn’t want to attend the meeting.

John said that Christina had told him otherwise and would be sure to tell Christina what she had said.

Maria Chapman, London Cat Club (Executive) said that she wanted to say something regarding Mick Coomer’s comment about who was on The Board/Executive, she said that it would still be up to delegates who was on The Board and that as Carol had previously said, she wouldn’t vote for it, it was your right.

Celia Langford, National Cat Club said that before agreeing she would like to see a management structure which any organised company would have, she said she would like to see prior to any vote on the Board, proper CV’s. Celia said that she would like to see all financial matters come back to Council as Executive have over ruled Councils decisions over certain things in the past.

John Hansson asked Celia to qualify her comments.

Celia Langford replied that it was over price increases. Keith Scruton, Vice Chairman said that was not correct and it was an indirect quote.

Tania Murray, Maine Coon Cat Club said that anyone sponsoring the GCCF would be looking for a robust measured return on their investment.

Anne Gregory, South & South Western Birman Cat Club (Executive) said that regarding the comment from Celia Langford, it was in fact Council who had turned down financial proposals from Executive and one example was the cessation of medals. Anne asked delegates to check back on their minutes.

Nicky Goulter, Long Hair and Semi Longhair Cat Club said that they had been talking for a long time and that they were putting the GCCF at risk by not taking a decision, Nicky said that it was about making decisions properly and that the furry decisions could be made by furry people.

Nicky said that in answer to the OCA, the business plan is adequate that is on the GCCF website and that it was all we need and that it was time to move on into the 20th century, it was time to vote and move forward. The room applauded.

Gillian Bennett, Nor’ East of Scotland Cat Club asked the delegates to come back to the core issue, Incorporation would protect the assets and liabilities and referred the delegates to the comments from Lord Justice Hughes and reminded the delegates that individuals were liable for the GCCF’s debts.

Gillian said that if only half the room owned their own homes, that was a lot of money if someone should sue the GCCF. Gillian said that the issue of how the GCCF was run was a separate issue.

Michelle Codd, Burmese Cat Society said that change was difficult that it was all a challenge, inertia in this case would be fateful, Michelle said that she recalled the situation with the Official Journal and how council failed to take action in good time which cost the GCCF a lot of money. Michelle said that the writing was on the wall and that the delegates had to get a grip, screw up their courage and go for it!

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club said that everyone knew his position (which was met by a groan across the hall) he said he had a question for Steven Bunce (Honorary Treasurer), he asked if there would be a liquidity problem if the vote was not for Incorporation at the meeting.

Steven Bunce replied that Incorporation would protect the GCCF assets and assets of the clubs.

John Robinson asked if the top table were saying that there was a liquidity problem over the next 2 months.

Steven Bunce said there was not but if we were to have a foot and mouth crisis we would only have 2 months expenses in reserve. John Robinson said that barring the plagues of Egypt, the GCCF was solvent.

Sue Muswell, Norwegian Forest Cat Club was quite angry and said that the delegates should be grateful to Executive for stepping up to the mark and taking over the position, she said that the Executive needed a round of applause as they were themselves putting their homes and lives at risk for taking on that position and limiting the clubs to only a £1.

Dorothy Tomlinson, Manchester & District Cat Club said that she hadn’t heard anything that had convinced her that she needed to vote for it, the GCCF needed good management, Dorothy asked how far the liability went. John Hansson said he had indicated earlier and read it again to the room saying that they could all lose their homes. This caused much upset across the hall.

Sue McParlin, Oriental, Shaded and Smoke Tabby Society said that it was scare mongering the delegates.

Dorothy Tomlinson, Manchester & District Cat Club asked if there was anything delegates did not know about.

John Hansson replied there was not. Dorothy asked if there was an outstanding claim against the GCCF for millions of pounds which would mean everyone lost their houses. John responded that there was not. Dorothy asked how many GCCF office workers were registering cats. This caused confusion as John Hansson thought she had meant the registration of their own cats and not the act of registering cats as their job.

Keith Scruton responded that there were 3 registrars which was confirmed by John Hansson.

Dorothy asked what the other staff members did.

Keith Scruton replied that there was Cash Office, Data Entry and much more.

Dorothy said the amount of money being spent on wages needed to be looked at. A delegate said that the matter was discussed at length at the February meeting and that they had all taken it to the clubs and that it was time to vote. The hall applauded.

John Hansson agreed and said that they needed to get down to their bits of paper and vote.

There were still delegates with their hands up and John Hansson said Steven Parkin, Abyssinian Cat Club would be the last, John then asked if the trustees, Gordon Butler and Brenda Wolstenholme would kindly count the votes.

Janet Tonkinson, Havana and Oriental Lilac Cat Club said that she felt there needed to be a 2/3 majority.

John Hansson told her that there would be.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club said that there was only Yes or No on the slip. John Hansson said that it was a Yes or No only vote.

Steven Parkin, Abyssinian Cat Club said that Adrian Wood had shocked everyone at the June 2009 meeting by telling the delegates how bad the position was and that it was his advice to incorporate, he said that delegates had believed everything else Adrian had said and queried why they weren’t satisfied by this last piece of advice, Steven went on to say that for nearly everyone present at the meeting, the GCCF was a hobby but it was in actual fact a business.

Steven then said with his tongue firmly in his cheek that he was surprised his friend from the Essex Cat Club (Barry Newcombe) had not asked Mick Coomer to retract his comment about ‘Furrys’ as he was a Sphynx man! This was met with much laughter!

Penny Akehurst, Burmese Cat Club called for everyone to put their names on the voting slips as she was concerned that some members may have more than 1.

John Robinson, West Country Cat Club announced that he had 2.

John Hansson asked how he had 2

John Robinson said they were stuck together when he had been given them.

John Hansson said they could tell how many votes there should be from the sign in sheets and asked if everyone had signed in.

John asked the room if everyone had filled in their voting slips to which everyone replied that they had. A delegate asked if the GCCF were to become Incorporated today if the delegates were still liable if the GCCF were to become insolvent.

John Hansson said that whatever the outcome of the meeting any vote taken would still have to be ratified.

Steven Bunce, Honorary Treasurer said that he hadn’t realised so many people were coming or he would have brought more copies of the accounts, Steven said that the staffing costs were higher because of one member of staff being off seriously ill who would not be returning and would not be replaced.

Steven asked the delegates to think about what they said about the office staff and how they could be upsetting them and to consider for a moment how hard they work and how much they had to do, he said that they were extremely busy.

The votes were counted as follows:

158 Votes

Yes – 111

No – 47

John Hansson addressed the hall and said that the delegates were able to decide upon the Board of Directors and working parties needed to move the GCCF forward, John said that there was a request on the GCCF website for volunteers to help with the running of the GCCF but asked that people did not come forward unless they were willing to give up their time.

6. GCCF Business Plan

Steve Crow, Burmese Cat Club (Executive) addressed the meeting and talked through the business plan he has put together for GCCF Limited. Steve said that he had received some comments saying the Business Plan was too far stretching but he felt that any business plan should be aspirational. Steve said that the business plan was preparing the GCCF for the real world. Steve said that it was unlikely the likes of Elton John were to jump up and donate £100k to the GCCF because he liked cats and so much work needed to be done, however Steve did say that if the delegates wished him to pursue Sir Elton for the £100k he would try for them! The delegates laughed. Steve said that steps were being taken to put together volunteer teams to look at Marketing and the Computer system and that they were looking at replacing the AS400 mini frame computer with a system that would cost around £100k (this was Steve’s estimate). Steve said that a new system like this would overcome the registration queries currently experienced, and asked Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club to confirm this. Frances said that a new system would not stop these queries. The four key points of the plan are: Financial Stability New It System Way of generating New Income Making better use of our staff resources Steve went on to say that that he proposed the plan was accepted and that it needed to be formally adopted by council to move forward, he went on to say that it was his assumption there was no problem with it and implored council to sign it off, with a view to reviewing it at the end of the year. Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club said that Steve had said what he had been saying for some time. Mick went on to say that shows could be fully computerised but shows were limited in what they could do because of the rules imposed on them by the GCCF. Mick said that with the vote for incorporation there was an opportunity to move forward and change things and improve them. Dorothy Tomlinson, Manchester & District Cat Club Show said that the plan sounded very good. John Hansson put forward the proposal for the Business Plan to be passed. The Business Plan was voted to be signed off with only 2 abstentions.

7. Constitutional Changes.

Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club addressed the meeting and apologised for taking up time. She said that she would like to say that the delegates present and those that had left clubs always require a 2/3 majority for any rule changes and that there was good reason for a 66% majority to make a change and said that if it was okay for council it was okay for the clubs.

Frances asked delegates to keep in mind how many members turn up to AGM’s and how we could have fundamental changes in clubs with only a handful of people in attendance. Frances said she was not in favour of the change and said she was sorry to harp on about the past but that it had served us well in the past.

Harry Meekings, Caramel & Apricot Federation said that he had a counter example and that there were some rules that needed a 2/3 majority and some that required a simple majority, he said that he was not trying to say the rules were or were not implemented, just that there were some that require 2/3 and some that require a simple majority.

Gillian Bennett, Nor East of Scotland Cat Club said she was going to say something similar to Harry Meekings, that the Constitution and Rules were very different and that she agreed with him.

Keith Scruton pointed out that the simple majority was applicable to only the rules and not the constitution.

The vote was taken and Passed

8. Rule Changes

Passed

9. GCCF Centenary – Not Discussed

10. Show Matters

Proposal from the Executive Committee:

That Reserve Grand Master Cat and Reserve Imperial Grand Master Cat Certificates be awarded for Household Pet Classes with effect from 1st June 2010.

Passed

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue point Birman Cat Club raises that all votes need to be ratified at the next council meeting.

11. Supreme Show

Celia Leighton, GCCF Supreme Cat Show Manager addressed the meeting by apologising for not being around for some months but understood everyone was pleased with how the Supreme Show 2009 had gone.

Celia said that Supreme 2010 would be in Halls 6 & 7 of the atrium and that Hall 16 would be used for parking, given to the Supreme at no extra cost as a car park, but Celia warned exhibitors to get their early as it would fill up fast.

Celia said she was late sending out Trade Brochures and Flyers but hoped to have them out by the end of next week.

Celia said that there was no price increases to be incurred this year but would be increasing trade stand costs by 5% and exhibitor entries would increase because of VAT.

The kitten classes trialled last year are to run again this year with a different format and would see them being judged at the start of the day instead of at the end.

Celia said that anything delegates wanted to see could be trialled and to ask or email with ideas.

Celia confirmed the Halls weren’t costing more than they did last year.

The theme of the show this year would be the Centenary Celebration but Celia said that the Decorated Pen competition would probably not go ahead following the retirement of Mr Burgess who arranged the competition in previous years.

Michelle Codd, Burmese Cat Society asked about overseas cats being able to enter the Supreme.

Celia replied that she hoped they would, she understood it was mentioned in February when she wasn’t there and had received lots of interest, that there may only be half a dozen to enter but they would only be allowed into the pre champion classes.

Barry Newcombe, Essex Cat Club asked as a potential stall holder if the cost of an electricity supply would remain at £150 which was extremely expensive.

Celia said that this was much less than the GCCF were charged for the power points by the NEC.

A delegate asked if the overseas cats invited to attend would have to follow the GCCF Standard of Points.

Celia Leighton said that all cats are judged to the standard of points at the Supreme Cat Show.

Carol Pike, Seal & Blue Point Birman Cat Club asked if the cats would be registered by the GCCF.

Celia Leighton said they would not.

Frances Peace, Bengal Cat Club said she was sorry to beg to differ but unless there was a change of rules it could not go ahead as the rules dictate that all cats and kittens shown at a GCCF show must be registered with the GCCF.

Keith Scruton, Vice Chairman said there could be a rule change at the June 2010 meeting.

Frances Peace said that if it were to take place then why we were allowing non registered and non conforming cats into the GCCF’s centenary show, it feels like ‘Oh well we will let anyone in’.

Frances said that they were taking away the point of the show and she could not support it.

Keith Scruton asked for an indication of who would support it and after a show of hands said it appeared to be 50/50 and that Executive would have to discuss it.

Celia Leighton said that if it were to go ahead for the 2010 show, she would need approval immediately because of the cats needing to be prepared with rabies jabs and blood tests.

An exhibitor asked Celia if Club Row cats could leave early to ease congestion.

Celia said it would not be possible because of security in place to stop the public stealing cats.

Anne Gregory, South & South Western Birman Cat Club (Executive) asked if there could be a similar measure to Crufts where they had a temporary GCCF reg number.

Celia Leighton said the matter could not go back to Executive as there wasn’t time. Frances Peace said that in order to register a cat they must be eligible, if they are in competition they must qualify. Frances said that if someone wants to register their cat with the GCCF, then they should register, if someone wanted to enter the Supreme, then they must qualify.

Janet Tonkinson, Havana and Oriental Lilac Cat Club said we have bled the GCCF exhibitors to other registering bodies and this would let them come back and taste GCCF and may make them stay.

The Delegate for Cheshire Area Cat Club asked if the 13 Day rule was the same for overseas and TICA/FB Cats.

Keith Scruton said that it could not be checked.

Mick Coomer, Shropshire Cat Club said that there was no way of checking but that council were inward naval looking and it was time to get on with it.

Penny Akehurst, Burmese Cat Club asked if the delegates could just vote on it.

Keith Scruton said it would have to go to Executive.

Celia Leighton said she was only talking about 6 cats and not 100’s.

Mick Coomer said that he wouldn’t have thought giving cats a temporary number wouldn’t be a problem.

Celia Leighton said it wasn’t how, it was if she should do it.

Dorothy Tomlinson, Manchester & District Cat Club said it may not be just overseas cats.

Celia said she did not know.

The delegate from Erin Cat Club said that it would only take one cat to infect many others.

Anne Madden, Birman Cat Club said lots of people will have registered TICA/GCCF, and if this were to go ahead it would mean they register and it would bring extra income.

Celia said the office wouldn’t want many overseas cats landing on their desks.

Frances Peace said that the cats must comply, the office had no problem with dealing with the registrations and went on to say that she didn’t agree about the 13 day rule and not knowing who showed with dual registrations as anyone showing outside the GCCF had to inform the office before they attended a show with another registering body.

Anne Madden said she felt they should be given the opportunity to play by our rules.

Keith Scruton asked the room to move on.

Celia Leighton asked what she was doing, and asked about the June meeting and asked what she was expected to say to people in Holland and France who wanted to enter. Celia went on to say any cat entering even with a Quadruple Champion title would only be allowed to enter the Pre Champ class.

12. World Cat Congress

John Hansson addressed the meeting saying that the UK was down for hosting the 2013 World Cat Congress, John said that he had spoken to a Show Manager who had said they would be willing to host the WCC.

John asked council to consider the cost implications and that although the WCC contributed some money towards the event, the GCCF would incur costs and this needed to be discussed and considered as the show itself could not support it financially.

John said the WCC is interesting with 6/8 overseas judges in attendance from governing bodies across the world.

Sue Kirk, Essex Cat Club asked what month it would be in. John responded that in would be in June.

Tania Murray, Maine Coon Cat Club asked for the estimated costings.

John Hansson said that the WCC pay a proportion of fees but the GCCF would need to contribute.

Tania asked what would happen if we declined to host in 2013. John said they would go elsewhere.

Tania Murray suggested the WCC hosting was entered into the business plan.

John Hansson said that they would hope to include the FAB and Cats Protection in anything they did.

Steve Crow said he hesitated to say so but would it be possible to use the genetics policy as a base for the WCC subject.

John Hansson said we could focus on anything we wanted to but we needed to be careful we didn’t pontificate on what everyone does or does not do.

Sean Farrell approached the top table with a ring he had found on the floor, John Hansson asked the room if anyone had lost it as it was no good to him as it was not worth £60k.

The room laughed

A delegate asked if the GCCF were to turn down the opportunity of hosting the WCC in 2013 if we would be asked again.

John Hansson said we would.

Mick Coomer said there were mutterings about costs, and asked if he had any ideas on what they would be.

John Hansson asked for a general consensus on going ahead and the room shouted back “Yes”, John asked if it was a yes to which the room shouted louder “YES”!