AGM: UKIC STONE AND WALL PAINTING SECTION

15^th June 2002

Central Baptist Church, Shaftesury Avenue, London WC2

The chair expressed his thanks to all those who had attended:

Nicholas Quayle, Elizabeth Holford, Christoph Oldenburg, Sasa Kosinova, Greg Howarth, Sally Strachey, Rosie Ellis, Hope Grant, Sarah Young, Jane Spooner, S. Swann, M. Suitioinen, Robert Gowing, Steven Sedwell, Ann Ballantyne, John Burbidge, Caroline Babbington, Louise Bradshaw.

1. APOLOGIES

Ruth McNeilage, Angus Lawrence, Eddie Sinclair, Peter Martindale, S.C, David Leigh

2. MINUTES OF THE LAST AGM

There were no minutes from the AGM available, which were therefore considered read. The minutes had been available at the Section web site over the past year.

3. MATTERS ARISING

3.1 The Chair related that after a heated discussion, the UKIC Council had announced it’s backing for an advisory minimum wage (primarily for adverts), for conservators - £17,790 per annum – index linked. This was to be targeted at major national employers such as E. H and the National Trust. Anyone with strong opinions about this was advised to contact the Chair, or attend the forthcoming UKIC AGM where it will be put to the vote.

3.2 Sally Stratchey raised the question about the lack of reply to her recent e-mail (30.01.02) concerning demotivated stone conservators not applying for accreditation. She also felt that the S&WP Section should be pushing accreditation for small practitioners. The Chair offered an apology for not replying to her e-mail. He explained this was partly due to the ‘state of flux’ within the UKIC structure, relating to the role of Sections, the Professional Standards Board (which administers PACR within UKIC) and of the Council of UKIC. Accreditation being at the heart of this issue, there followed an animated discussion on accreditation, with a suggestions from the floor for consultation with the membership, or a special Section meeting regarding accreditation.

ACTION - ACCREDITATION

4. CHAIR’S REPORT

The past year had been disappointing with the lack of events. Particularly frustrating was the spring meeting that was eventually postponed. However the agenda for the forthcoming year’s events is looking very positive. A lot of energy was spent filling the vacuum caused by retirement of a group of long-term committee members. The difficulty of carrying-out the Editor’s job was also acknowledged. The minutes of meetings were proving popular on the website which had received numerous visits. It was announced that Conservation News is to become more ‘chatty’. A desire was expressed for more communication from the membership. The question was raised as to whether there was a future for technical debate via e-mail. There is a need to update members’ details, which may be hindering communication.

ACTION – MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

5. TREASURERS REPORT

The current balance was given as: £1659.30 – Conference account; £5770.96 – Ordinary account

The Chair announced that the UKIC was keen to maximise interest from the money in the Sections’ accounts, and it has been suggested that this be placed in a single, high interest account. The Chair read a letter from the UKIC Treasurer announcing this. Council has agreed to suspend subvention to the Sections (the Section Membership fee) until further notice in order to maintain UKIC central finances in the face of projected deficit. This means that, in future, new income to the Section will come solely from the proceeds of conferences and publications; if such ventures run at a loss, the money held in trust by UKIC on behalf of the Section will diminish; this process shall not be permitted by the UKIC Treasurer to erode Section coffers below the £2000 limit. In this manner, each Section shall always be able, no matter how little money they have earned, or how much they may have spent, to draw on funds totalling not less than £2000.

6. NOMINATIONS FOR NEW CHAIR AND TREASURER

6.1 Robert Gowing was elected as Chair (Nominated by John Burbidge and seconded by Chris Weeks)

6.2 Caroline Babbington was elected as Treasurer (nominated by Chris Weeks seconded by C.O).

6.3 The election of Louise Bradshaw and Vicky Roulinson as ordinary members was ratified

6.4 The work of Editor, vacated by Robert Gowing, was to be shared amongst the committee.

7. CURRENT STATE OF THE ACCREDITATION SYSTEM

This had already been dealt with above.

8. EVENTS FOR 2003

8.1 The planning of two major events are well in hand: Peterborough Cathedral: site visit in early autumn; St. Paul’s Cathedral: next years AGM

8.2 Anne Ballantyne raised the question about a meeting linked to art history in commemoration of the late Anna Hulbert