1. Apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Brian Fraser, Dr Sheilah Hamilton, Mr Bill Peterson, Mr David Smith and Mr Colin Todd.
2. Minutes of the 84th Annual General Meeting
Mr John Judd PROPOSED the acceptance of the minutes of the 84th Annual General Meeting, held at Churchill College, Cambridge, on 12 July 2007, as published in the September 2007 edition of Fire Prevention & Fire Engineers Journal, which was SECONDED by Mr Peter Holland. Members voted in support of the proposal and it was RESOLVED that the minutes be accepted as a true and correct record and signed as such by the International President.
3. Results of the election to the Board of Directors
Ms Louise Craig announced the results of the postal ballot for elections to the Board of Directors:
Mr William Cox 204 votes
Mr Russell James 207 votes
Mr John Judd 303 votes
Mr David Paton 130 votes
Mr Michael Quy 175 votes
Mr Colin Todd 159 votes
There were three vacancies, therefore Mr John Judd, Mr Russell James and Mr William Cox were elected to the Board.
The 2008-2009 elected members of the Board of Directors are therefore: Professor David Charters, Mr Charles Chu, Mr Bill Cox, Mr Peter Holland, Mr Russell James, Mr John Judd, Dr James Marsden, Mr Paul Richardson, Mr William Stewart, Mr HG Tay and Mr John Woodcock.
4. Outcome of the postal consultation of Engineering Council registrants
Mr John Woodcock announced the results of the postal consultation on a draft proposal concerning the Engineering Council Division. Of the 318 members canvassed, there were 14 replies, almost all positive, and a revised proposal had been produced to address the concerns expressed. The proposal had been put to the Board of Directors and unanimously agreed and, as a result, the Institution of Fire Engineers Registrants Group (IFERG) will be formed.
5. Membership and leadership of the General Assembly
Ms Louise Craig announced that, following a ballot, Mr Neil Gibbins had been elected Leader and Mr Anthony Lawson had been elected Vice-Leader of the General Assembly. The names of all General Assembly representatives can be found on the Institution’s website, www.ife.org.uk. Mr John Judd said it would be appropriate to recognise the support the Hong Kong Branch provided to Mr Charles Chu during his presidential year and a warm welcome was extended specifically to those Branch representatives in attendance.
6. Annual Report of the Board for year ended 31 December 2007
Mr John Judd introduced the Annual Report of the Board to 31 December 2007 and stated that financial performance had been disappointing. Poor management information systems had hampered the recovery progress, but systems had been improved significantly to the point that solid, dependable financial information, current to the end of June 2008, was now available to the Board. Mr Judd paid particular credit to Mr Ken Rose, the Institution’s Treasurer, and Mr Andrew Lennard for this.
Mr Judd highlighted two unusual items which had affected performance. One was as a result of an international partnership that had failed to deliver what had been expected, and the other related to another disputable matter. Both remain unresolved at present. The auditors are fully aware of the situation.
Mr Judd informed the meeting that on 30 May 2008, Mrs Ellen Jessett had left the Institution’s employment following an absence dating back to October 2007.
Mr Peter Holland PROPOSED the adoption of the Annual Report, which was SECONDED by Mr William Cox. Members voted in support of the proposal and it was RESOLVED that the Annual Report of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2007 be adopted.
7. Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2007
Mr Peter Holland introduced the Financial Statements and echoed Mr Judd’s sentiments that financial performance had been disappointing during the period. This was reflected in the outturn. He thanked Mr Ken Rose for the superb support he had given.
Mr Holland PROPOSED the adoption of the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2007, which was SECONDED by Mr William Stewart. Members voted in support of the proposal and it was RESOLVED that the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2007, as published and circulated, be adopted.
8. Appointment of auditor
Mr Paul Richardson PROPOSED the reappointment of the Institution’s auditors for 2008, W. Osborne & Co, which was SECONDED by Mr Peter Holland. Members voted in support of the proposal and it was RESOLVED that W. Osborne & Co, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors of Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, be reappointed as auditors for 2008 and that the Board of Directors be authorised to agree the auditors’ remuneration.
9. Valedictory address from retiring International President,
Mr Charles Chu FSDSM, CPM, BEng (Hons), CEng, FIFireE, FHKIE
Mr Chu delivered his valedictory address. He paid tribute to all members of the Board and the staff in progressing their respective portfolios, with a special vote of thanks to: the Chairman, Mr John Judd; Vice-Chairman, Mr Peter Holland; and General Manager, Ms Louise Craig, for being the anchor of all these successes.
10. Installation of 2008-2009 International President,
Mr Paul Richardson BEng (Hons), BSc, CEng, FIFireE, MCGI
Mr Chu installed Mr Paul Richardson as International President for 2008-2009.
11. Presentation of Past President’s badge
Mr Richardson presented Mr Chu with a Past President’s badge and thanked him for his significant contribution as International President.
12. Inaugural address from the new International President
Mr Richardson gave his inaugural address, in which he said that he was honoured and privileged to have been installed to the office of International President. He paid tribute to the work carried out by Mr Chu during his time in office. He noted that 2008 was particularly significant for the Institution, marking as it did the 90th anniversary of its founding.
13. Presentation of awards and certificates
Ms Louise Craig announced the following awards and certificates:
Godiva Awards for the 2007 Examinations
Mr Andrew Rowe of Hale Products Europe presented awards for the best candidates in the Institution’s Graduate and Member Examinations at UK and non-UK centres:
Graduate:
Best non-UK candidate – Mr Daniel Nnanna Onwukaeme of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Best UK candidate – Mr Peter Lloyd of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Member:
Best non-UK candidate – Mr Satheesh Kumar Velloli of Bharat Dynamics Ltd, India. Mr G Menon of the Southern and Eastern India Branch accepted the award on Mr Velloli’s behalf.
Best UK candidate – Mr Allen Dacre Westerby of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service.
2008 Graduate Lecture sponsored by Arup Fire
First prize of £1,000 was awarded to Mr Ayesh AlShammri of the University of Leeds; second prize of £500 to Mr Mark Earwicker of the University of Central Lancashire; and prizes of £100 each to Mr Stephen Lambert of the University of Central Lancashire, Mr Adam Bittern of Glasgow Caledonian University, Mr David Macbeth of the University of Leeds, and Mr Fraser MacDonald of the University of Edinburgh.
Presentation to Mr Paul Richardson
Mr Graham Knight of the Ministry of Defence Fire Service presented a certificate to Mr Paul Richardson, in recognition of his outstanding international contribution in support of the Ministry of Defence Fire Service.
There being no other business, the International President declared the meeting closed.