The 2024 Annual General Meeting
At the 2024 AGM (See Draft Minutes below) there were spirited debates on motions to amendments to the constitution proposed by the ARA Committee “the Committee” reflecting the result of the ballot held on the Autumn of 2023. Amendments to the ARA constitution require a two thirds majority. A majority of members present agreed with the amendments however, there was not a two thirds majority, consequently the motions were not passed.
Two further motions in the name of an ARA member Peter Williams did achieve a two thirds majority and the Constitution (see link below) has been amended, as follows:
In the Management Section:
The words ‘support and’ be deleted from the third sub-clause in Clause 4
Delete all of Clause 17
Add the following clause to Aims and Objectives 2:
To encourage those prospective and present Councillors who will not join any group or party that is subject to a whip which has the effect of overriding the best interests of Ashtead Residents.
The ARA Committee would like to thank Peter Williams for the undertaking, and congratulate him on achieving a two-thirds majority and amending the constitution.
ARA Committee
The consequence of AGM vote was that a number of the ARA Committee concluded that the AGM motion votes did not reflect the 2023 ballot result and was acutely unfair and resigned or did not re-stand. The current constitution requires that the ARA Committee have five members to operate (clause 10: Five shall form a quorum). The Committee currently have four members. More significantly the Committee is devoid of a Chair-person, Secretary and Membership Secretary.
Due to the Committee not having a quorum the Committee is unable to make any decisions. This includes not being able to co-opt additional committee members or act on planning and transport matters.
Way forward
The ARA exists to promote the interests of the Membership, including where necessary making representations on planning applications and rail and road matters. It goes without saying that the ARA should continue and not be allowed to demise.
The Autumn meeting will be a second general meeting (GM) which is booked for Thursday 14th November 7pm in the main hall at the Ashtead Peace Memorial Hall (APMH) - (See Agenda below).
The following agenda items will be addressed, the meeting will be chaired by the President.
Update the Membership present on the current status of the ARA Committee, including the number of Committee members and the vacant roles (Chairperson, Secretary, Webmaster role & Membership Secretary). Peter Shrubsole is covering the Secretary role until a secretary is appointed and David Baker is covering the webmaster role.
Seek the views of the Members present on whether or not they, the Members, wish the ARA to continue and in what form.
Invite ARA Members to volunteer to be co-opted to the ARA Committee to undertake the work of the Committee Members, including assisting with the vacant roles.
Vote on prospective new Committee Members, who have been nominated and forwarded to the acting ARA Secretary (via Secretary@ashteadrsidents.org.uk), at least 14 days prior to the GM.
Vote on any volunteers at the GM who wish to be co-opted on the Committee (maximum of four).
Vice President: Currently there are no Vice Presidents, invite volunteers to undertake this role.
An effective ARA Committee is essential to the well-being of the Associations membership. The Committee urgently need additional members to fill the aforementioned vacant roles and return the Committee to a healthy number of between 12-16 members, up to four of which can be co-opted.
If any ARA member would like to be become an ARA Committee Member, to be voted on at the GM, please email the Secretary@ashteadresidents.org.uk
ARA Committee
29th September 2024