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News
AGM venue confirmed
IWA’s 63rd Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 24th September at 11.30am at The Guildhall, Bore St, Lichfield WS13 6LU. The Guildhall is in the centre of Lichfield, the nearest long-stay car park is on The Friary, Outer North Side WS13 6QE, less than 10 minutes’ walk away.
The Guildhall will be open from 10.00am with refreshments available. At 10.30am, there will be a presentation on Waterways for Today – IWA’s comprehensive vision for the waterways – followed by presentation of the IWA Awards before the AGM starts at 11.30am.
Following the AGM, there will be an open session where the CEO and Trustees will provide an update on campaigns and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
A free lunch will be provided at 1pm, which must be booked in advance.
The intention is also to allow members to attend all sessions remotely, and further details on how to access the AGM can be found on the website at waterways.org.uk/agm2022.
AGM Agenda
• Opening remarks and welcome • Review and approval the minutes of the 62nd Annual General Meeting • Approval of the appointment of Trustees • Receiving The Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the year ending 31st December 2021 and the Report of the Auditors • Appointment of the Auditors
By Order of the Trustees Genevieve Wilson, Company Secretary
AGM Papers
For full details of the AGM, a copy of the minutes of the 2021 AGM, the report and financial statements for the year ending 31st December 2021, and to reserve your seat and your lunch, please go to waterways.org.uk/agm2022 or call 01494 783453.
Copies of all papers can be requested by post by calling 01494 783453, by e-mail to iwa@waterways.org.uk or in writing to The Inland Waterways Association, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham HP5 1WA.
Proxies
Any person being a member of the Association is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote on his/her behalf at the Annual General Meeting. A proxy need not be a member of IWA. Forms for nominating a proxy may be obtained as above and should be returned by 11.30am on Thursday 22nd September in order to be valid.
The history and architecture of our waterways were the topic of a recent meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways (APPGW).
Michael Fabricant, MP, Chair of the APPGW, welcomed parliamentarians and representatives of waterway organisations to the video meeting. Presentations by speakers from the field of waterways heritage and architecture were followed by a general question and answer session.
Liz McIvor, historian, author and TV presenter, talked about the physical remains of industrial waterways and their role in our future landscapes. Jo Bell, a former Canal Poet Laureate, author and industrial archaeologist, then presented on the importance of the culture of our canals and the built heritage – and later recited her poem ‘Springtime at the Boatyard’. Hugh Pearman MBE, architecture critic and author, concluded the presentations by talking about why architects, planners and developers must respond creatively to our waterways heritage.
The question and answer session included discussion with MPs, peers and representatives from navigation authorities and waterway organisations. Issues discussed included better ways of protecting waterways from inappropriate development, the uniqueness of each individual waterway, Conservation Areas status and other designations, and the cultural importance of the horse in the history of the waterways.
IWA seeks new Trustees
IWA is in the process of recruiting several new trustees to help us shape the future of the charity. We welcomed applications from people from all walks of life as we look to enhance the diversity of the Board.
Applications closed on 17th June. We are seeking to appoint trustees based on their skills, knowledge and experience in a number of areas. The selection will try to ensure the Board has the broad skillset and experience necessary for good governance.
For 2022, the main emphasis will be on knowledge of IWA and inland waterways. In addition, the Board would particularly benefit from skills and experience including accountancy, campaigning and fundraising, charity governance and chairing meetings.
The process for recruitment of new trustees in 2022 follows the same pattern as in 2021. Applicants were shortlisted and interviewed by a selection panel on the basis of their skills and experience. The panel provided a ranked list of candidates to the Board of Trustees, which then selected a final list of prospective trustees to be recommended to members at the AGM for confirmation. We expect to recruit about four new trustees, but numbers will be flexible depending on skillsets of applicants.
We asked all applicants to complete a Skillset Framework covering the range of skills sought for the role. No one person is likely to have all skills required on the board, so we invited applicants to complete only those areas where they feel their abilities or experience would add value to the role.
The selection panel, chaired by IWA Deputy Chair Sue O’Hare, met in late June. Proposed appointees will be announced prior to the 2022 AGM. The Board will recommend their appointment and seek confirmation from members at the AGM. Confirmed appointees will commence their formal, legal role as trustees afterwards.
