Summary of the 2009 Swanage Railway Trust Annual General Meeting

The 2009 SRT AGM took place on Saturday 10th October in the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage. A total of 146 members attended this year's SRT AGM - up from 125 last year.

Trust Council of Management Election

The number of ballot papers received in this year's election was 527 of which two were spoilt and the number of votes cast for each candidate was as follows:

David Budd                            -           313

Paul Clements                    -         220

Graham Cope                        -           294

Andrew Moore                      -           350

Clive Morris                           -           241

Pete Renaut                      -         234

Frank Roberts                        -           356

Liz Sellen                                -           414

Bryan Stanley                     -         186

Richard White                     -         238

Mike Whitwam                      -            399

Mark Woolley                        -            432

The following were therefore elected to the Council of Management for the following two years: Mark Woolley, Liz Sellen, Mike Whitwam, Frank Roberts, Andrew Moore, David Budd, Graham Cope and Clive Morris. The other eight current Trust Council members who were elected at the 2008 AGM are: Steve Barker, Doug Chick, Steve Doughty, Linda Moore, Peter Sills, Mike Stollery, Bill Trite and Andy Vincent

We wish outgoing Council of Management members Pete Renaut, Richard White and Nick Lloyd all the very best in future and thank them for their contribution during their time on the Council. Special thanks go to Pete who served on the CoM for no less than 20 years.

Turnout figures for the last 10 years of Council elections are:

2009 - 527

2008 - 565

2007 - 368

2006 - No election, only 6 nominations received

2005  - 563

2004 - 569

2003 - 425

2002 - No election, only 8 nominations received

2001 - 655

2000 - No election, only 8 nominations received

This year's turnout election was very close to the average of 525 but the Trust Council is conscious of the need to take steps to try and increase the number of members who take the time to vote One suggestion out forward from the floor at the AGM was to include photographs of candidates alongside election statements and this is something we will consider.

Action and discussion points arising from the AGM:

As usual there was a lively open forum after the completion of formal AGM business. The following points were among those raised and the Trust Council and SRC Board will certainly be considering these at their forthcoming meetings.

1. The need for vision from the CoM and unified leadership from both CoM and SRC Board
2. Creation of an SRT member's e-mail distribution list and circulate approved minutes of SRT CoM meetings.
3. Commission the SK(O) coach (for disabled persons) into traffic.
4. Introduce name badges - primarily for CoM members but also possibly for all departmental managers.
5. Conclude memorial policy and long service awards.
6. Introduce a roving microphone 'on the floor' at the 2010 AGM
7. Confirm our policy in respect of the 71b.co.uk internet forum.
8. Review the size of the CoM.
9. Update and publish the Strategic Plan.
10. Investigate the possibility of hiring out surplus coaches to other heritage railways.
11. Consider relocating the Birds Nest buffet coach to the picnic area at Swanage.
12. Better co-ordination of projects
13. Possible future attendance at the Great Dorset Steam Fair
14. Introduction of a Volunteer Handbook
15. Meal vouchers to encourage volunteers
16. Review SRC fare policy - in particular the withdrawal of OAP concessions and the price of rover tickets.

Same old faces?

It is perhaps interesting to note that during the last ten years, in addition to the current 16 CoM members, no fewer than 21 Trust members have served on the Council making a grand total of 37. Who says it's always the same old faces? Our thanks go to:

Trevor Bagley, David Buckle, Geoff Carter, Andrea Catt, Keith Gooding, Mike Hayne, Brian Langdown, Nick Lloyd, Bob McGaw, Tony Miller, Malcolm Munro, Bob Noble, Dave O'Neill, Bob Payne, Sue Payne, Pete Pickering, Pete Renaut, Stuart Ward, Richard Welham, Richard White and Don Wright.

Thankfully, many of these people continue to serve the Railway in various important ways today and we remember David and Don who sadly are no longer with us.

Date of 2010 AGM

Next year's SRT AGM will take place on Saturday 9th October 2010 again in the Mowlem Theatre, Swanage.

Mark Woolley

Trust Secretary