The Royal British Legion

Cumberland & Westmorland

County Patron: HM Lord Lieutenant Mrs Claire Hensman

County President: Mr N Howard OBE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND TRBL COUNTY COMMITTEE HELD AT PENRITH TRBL CLUB AT 1030AM ON SATURDAY 1^ST OCTOBER 2016

Present: Mr A L Crane (Chairman), Lt Col M R Rowney MBE (Treasurer & Training Officer), Miss E Willacy (Arnside), Mr I Fisher (Bransty), Mrs B Long (Bransty), Mr R Glenister (Windermere), Mrs M Wadsworth (Carlisle & Stanwix), Mr M J Couling (Carlisle & Stanwix), Mr J Muir (Egremont), Mr D Ballantyne (Carlisle & Stanwix), Mr J Henderson (Carlisle & Stanwix), Mr M Hawthorn (Area Manager, National), Mrs T Richardson (Women’s Section), Mr R Hutchinson (Penrith), Mr A Whitmore (CFO, National), Mr G Cave (Acting Secretary) (Tebay).

ITEM 1 – EXHORTATION AND SILENT TRIBUTE

1. The Chairman opened the meeting with the Exhortation.  There was an extended Silent Tribute in memory of Linda Johnston.

ITEM 2 – APOLOGIES

2. Apologies had been received from Mr A Dixon and Mr J Teer.

ITEM 3 – MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 9^TH JULY 2016

4. No minutes of the previous meeting were available.

ITEM 4 – MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING

5. In the absence of any minutes, there were no matters arising from the previous meeting.

ITEM 5 – CHAIRMAN’S CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORT

6. Most Branch accounts had now been scanned into the system.  Some were still being hastened.  Branches should contact MSO, Lancashire, if accounts documents required returning. 

7. There were some difficulties obtaining central updates including on the Legion On-line Management Accounting System (LOMAS) and BFI. LOMAS take-up in Cumbria was very low thus far.  Branch Officers would receive training when agreeing to join.

8. The sad loss of Linda had caused some administrative hiatus.  An interim MSO, Karl Millyard from the Riders’ Branch, had been appointed and would start on 3^rd October.

9. Mike Rowney had agreed to remain as Treasurer until March 2017, if a replacement were not immediately forthcoming.  Thereafter, a new Treasurer was essential to the continuation of the County Committee. CTO tasks would be supported centrally until a new incumbent were found.  The Treasurer was appointed by the Chair, and normally had to be an existing legion member of a Branch in the county.  The TRBL Treasurer’s course was obligatory, as was that for Independent Examiners, which required a refresher every 3 years.  Alan Whitmore offered to assist with advertising.

ITEM 6 – TREASURER’S & CTO REPORT

10. The breakdown of the County Funds is at Annex A (click on link).  The County Account stood at £74,476.  The Current Account, £20,190, included £241 to pass to HQ on final formal closure of the Holding Branch, hopefully by the AGM.  There were no outstanding creditors and the finances were much healthier than 3 years ago.  Welfare funds would be transferred from the NatWest account by the end of the next quarter. 

11. The Trust Fund was an estimated £29,199 based on almonisation expenditure since the last statement of 30^th September 2012.  Marcus Hawthorn was asked to take up the issue of statement updates with HQ.  All the bank accounts, less the NatWest that is the general account, have now closed, and all others are held in BFI or earmarked funds within LOMAS.

12. There were now no legitimate Independent Examiners in the county. Both required a refresher course, but no dates had yet been arranged by HQ.

13 There had been no training in the last quarter.  A new CTO was required.

14. Ian Fisher proposed acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report.  Ray Hutchinson seconded, and the proposal was carried unanimously.

ITEM 7 - AREA MANAGER’S REPORT

15. The present office at Eden Foyer had proved too small.  A move within the building had been agreed.  A toilet and small kitchen area were available, but some works were needed to compartmentalize the remaining space.  Opening was expected in January.

16. The interim MSO would have access to archive information, but naturally would take time to become au-fait with the role.  He would be at the Penrith Office a minimum of 2 days per week.  Recruitment of a permanent MSO would begin in January.

17. Furniture, formerly belonging to the County Office was being stored in Penrith Club’s barn.  Penrith Club intended to sub-let the barn after some conversion work, and requested that the contents be removed.  Arrangements to transfer the bulk of the items to store at Carlisle were in hand.

18. Management support would be provided from Area HQ should the County Committee be forced to disband.

ITEM 8 – WELFARE REPORT

19. Branches with welfare cases in their area were asked to make amortization contributions to the support costs.  The County also made amortization contributions of 10% of the total bill.  Welfare support in Cumbria stood at 28% of the region total; the highest per head figure of all areas.  There had been a significant increase in multiple needs support, with financial support being the prime area. A major recent case of a low income family with a severely autistic child served as a good example of County Welfare at work:

The 2 children had to move school; stressful at the best of times, but exacerbated because of the autism.  There was no nearby family support to alleviate severe parental distress, and house conversion was needed to meet the differing needs of the children.  Application for an autism support dog was made (c£3k). Support by the parent’s Regiment Association and AFB, the total costs of £5655, including an overseas respite holiday, were covered.  Through amortization and external support, the final cost to the Legion was £455.

20. Welfare Break usage was disappointing.  Branches were encouraged to make better use.  Historically there had been timescale issues between application and allocation.  Placement naturally was on a priority basis, but guests were only allowed a second break within 2 years in exceptional circumstances.  The allocation process had also been streamlined and increased/improved accommodation had lowered waiting lists.

21. There were only 18 Volunteer Case Workers in Cumbria, plus 2 employed Case Officers.  No waiting list for visits, and initial contact was always made on a priority basis within a maximum of 16 hours.  Branches were encouraged, with the client’s consent, to refer potential cases to welfare officers.  Action had been taken to ensure initial telephone enquiries were received by County Welfare rather than branches.  A dedicated line at Eden Foyer was awaited.

ITEM 9 – POPPY APPEAL UPDATE

22. Poppy Appeal income stood at just £15k below last year’s record breaking figure.  Cumbria’s total was £471,295.11, with IoM smashing its record again with £152,432.66.  There were no PAO gaps in 2016, but some replacements would be sought for 2017.

23. Alan Whitmore was congratulated on his promotion to CFR, NW & NI.  The new Cumbria CFR was Judith Rae who would take up post on 12^th October.

24. Arrangements for this year’s Poppy Appeal Launch would be discussed at a special Events Group Meeting immediately after closure of this meeting.  In brief, 2 Legion branded Classic Coaches would tour, from Carlisle and Barrow starts, selected points around Cumbria to meet at Penrith for the formal launch on 27^th October. Known local dignitary participation was high, albeit no MPs were likely to be available.

ITEM 10 – ANY OTHER BUSINESS

25. Memorial Service. The ACF would be holding a Memorial Service for Major Linda Johnson at United Reform Church, Whitehaven, on 9^th October from 1500 hours.  Standard Bearers were invited, and had to be in position by 1430 hours.   This would be published on the County Website.  Mike Rowney was producing a framed certificate marking Linda’s contribution.  The family had been invited to attend the County Conference; one daughter at least likely to attend.  Alan Whitmore was asked to investigate the possibility of a Poppy Appeal Service Award.

26. AGM TRBL Speaker. A guest speaker had been invited to the AGM followed by County Conference on 3^rd December.  Marcus Hawthorn would seek a speaker from HQ TRBL.

27. Eddie Dixon. After many years of exemplary service, Eddie Dixon had retired.  Marcus Hawthorn was asked to arrange a suitable token to commemorate his commitment to TRBL.

28. Remembrance Tickets. MSO Lancashire TRBL was trying to identify those in Cumbria allocated Albert Hall Remembrance Festival tickets.  Marcus Hawthorn would distribute a list to relevant parties.  Bookings were believed to have been completed by Linda, even where some payments had yet to be made.  All tickets had now been centrally allocated.

29. Appreciation. The Committee wished to record its appreciation for all who gave their support to carry on Linda’s work.

Meeting Closed at 1230 hours

Signed:

A L Crane

County Chairman

Date: