MINUTES OF AGM 2024

2024
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday 8^th May, 6.00pm in The Orangery, The Georgian

In Attendance
Alistair Forrest, Nicky Burland, Andrew Eggleston, Janet Eggleston, Nigel Lawrence, Gill Lowe, Annabel Finding, Ian Corder, Ilona Soane-Sands, Bennt Bengtsson, Vanessa Main, Colin Perry, Agnes Perry, David Nash, Jeannie Cameron, Sophie White, Mort Birch, Anthony Burton, Craig Burden, Jill Guille,  Richard Ward, Brendan Noone, Nigel Roberts,  Lucie Stribrska

Apologies for Absence
David Stanley, Patrick Puddle, Hillius Pretorius, Tracey Farquar-Beck, Penny Ball, Holly Chandler, Malcolm Matthews, Paul McCormick, Chris Fitton, Lisa Sanders, Chris Kronwitter, Alderney Ferry Services, Roger Dadd

To approve the minutes of the 2023 Annual General Meeting
The minutes were approved being proposed by Nigel Roberts and seconded by Gill Lowe

Matters Arising
No matters arising

President’s Report
President Andrew Eggleston added several items to his written annual report including the success of
the Hospitality Group led by Holly Chandler, the Social Media Workshops led by Ian Corder, the Alderney Post Board led by Nigel Lawrence and the Media Group led by Vanessa Main.

The Careers Fair led by Nicky Burland in conjunction with Wendy Wilson, head teacher of St. Anne’s School, was a first and a great success that is now set as an annual event primarily to showcase to the students that there is a wide diversity of jobs here on the island.

A Construction Group is about to be set up bringing together builders and suppliers. Council has monthly representation on the States Economic Development Group and Andrew Eggleston continues to be a member of the States Good Governance Group.

We are working tirelessly on the need for the law to be implemented that would allow banks to loan against leasehold properties. Chamber sees this as critical to help younger people to gain a foothold on the property ladder as flats are at the lower end of the market and are leasehold.

Another first just a few weeks ago was the initial joint meeting between the States and the business community. This was held in a packed Anne French Room. The success of this confirms that this will now be a regular get together to aim at ways forward simply for the good of the island. Five bullet points came out of this first meeting -1. Separate the Locate Alderney website   2. Develop a robust marketing campaign for living and working in Alderney   3. Solving our aging demographic profile by attracting younger people     4. Resolving housing needs by making use of empty properties and allowing mortgages on leasehold properties    5. Working with the school to encourage young families here   6. Making Victoria Street a safer and more attractive browsing street in the height of the season such as by pedestrianisation.

Ian Corder and Nicky Burland will be representing Chamber in Guernsey for a Finance Sector presentation organised by Guernsey Finance as a consequence of a joint Chamber/States meeting with the Guernsey Finance CEO and his number two.

HSBC is closing for a short period in June for the installation of a new ATM at a cost in excess of
£100,000. This is welcomed and shows commitment to the island by the bank. During closure, there will be a pop-up facility in the Island Hall on June 4, 5 and 7.

We are also currently working on two separate 30 second adverts on Island FM to be run for 6 weeks from Mondays to Fridays setting out the advantages of relocating business to the island and holidaying here. 140 units of £25 are needed. The States will be helping financially to a degree but the onus is on Chamber for the vast majority of the funding. We are presently just over £1k.

In conclusion, all the work set out above is conducted by just 6 Council Members on an entirely voluntary basis. This seriously does take much effort and time. We have a membership of about 160 businesses that is run by just 6.      Please come forward and help out in any capacity that you are interested in.

We must keep this great momentum on the rails with our positive relationship with the States and the many topics that we are working on.

Treasurer’s Report and formal adoption of the accounts

In the absence of the Treasurer, the President gave the report. The opening balance was £6,726.23 and closed with £6,179.23. The main expenditures were the two pull-up Chamber banners for public events at £224, £120 for our Post Box number that we are now closing, £185 for an annual subscription to the Guernsey Press, £792 for our website/IT upgrade and £600 sponsorships that included Alderney Animal Welfare, Alderney Flying Club, Alderney Golf Club for the annual Chamber of Commerce Trophy and
£150 for the prizes for the best Christmas shop windows.

The annual problem of gaining the £25 membership from members was discussed. Richard Ward suggested the use of ‘Go Cardless’ as a suitable mechanism of collecting subs or the use of automatic membership software. A further alternative put forward was the setting up of Standing Orders.

It was also advised that the current annual sub of £25 should be increased as they had remained at this figure for more than 40 years!

Election of the Treasurer
The accounts were proposed by Janet Eggleston and seconded by Nicky Burland.

Tony Haywood had agreed to continue as Treasurer. There being no other applicants, this was agreed unanimously.

Election of the Council
In accordance with the Constitution, three members of Council stand down each year. This year, they are Andrew Eggleston, Nigel Lawrence and Brendan Noone. Andrew Eggleston and Nigel Lawrence put their names forward while Brendan Noone offered his retirement from Council.

Patrick Puddle had put himself forward for Council.  As such, no vote was required and the Council for the year comprises Andrew Eggleston, Nigel Lawrence, Ian Corder, Nicky Burland, Vanessa Main and Patrick Puddle.

Election of the President and Vice-President
Following an adjournment at which the new Council withdrew to the Walpole Room to consider these roles, Andrew Eggleston was unanimously elected as President for his 19^th consecutive year and Nigel Lawrence as Vice-President. The President thanked Brendan Noone for his work during his years as a member of the Council.

Any Other Business
David Nash –   Raised a question about the recent joint States/Chamber business meeting (referred to earlier in these minutes). He referred to the concept of pedestrianisation in a part of Victoria Street. There had been a straw pole carried out only with certain shop owners without knowledge of when, where and at what times. It had come down against the idea. Andrew Eggleston stated that it was not in Chamber’s hands to make the decision. There was therefore no Chamber policy but we were keen for the question to be discussed. We were also mindful ofthe upcoming results of the States Traffic Survey which may provide further insight.

David Nash –     He suggested that everyone included the Visit Alderney link on their emails to showcase the island. Andrew Eggleston thanked David for this suggestion.

Jeannie Cameron –    She put herself forward to help and be a part of the sub-groups. This would be taken up.

Richard Ward –     He said he was keen that breakfast meetings should be organised for the business community to get together on a regular basis. Sophie White from La Ville mentioned that Guernsey business who stay at the hotel could also be invited along to expand involvement. Andrew Eggleston agreed that this idea should be taken forward.