Since my last update, the Regional Executive has had an extra meeting to consider two particular items of business.

The first was to confirm the way forward following the District Boundary Review and that is detailed elsewhere in this newsletter.

The second was to hear from Mark Hesketh, chairman of the new Bonaly Committee and to agree plans for further progress at the Centre. Since the Executive meeting, there has been a meeting of the new committee and I want to provide more information on the way forward.

Firstly, membership of the committee – Mark Hesketh (chairman), Ronnie MacDonald, Al Reid, John Cannon, Barry Johnston, Alan Willoughby, Dorothy McKinney and myself.

The committee will support and advise Barry in the management of the site and Barry will lead and work with an operational team, which will bring together representatives of the various aspects of the Bonaly operation, including the ASU, Programme, Catering, Site Services and Site Maintenance and Development.

The intention is to look towards developing Bonaly Scout Centre, so improved opportunities are available to our young people. One of the ways this is to be achieved is through improved activity provision – with the appointment of a deputy centre manager with expertise in, and particular responsibility for, activities. The Regional Executive is supporting the cost of this new employee from general funds and it is hoped to have someone appointed to the role early in 2012.

The intention is that, with improved activity provision and another staff member, mid-week commercial use of the facilities will increase, bringing in more revenue, which in turn will be reinvested in facilities at the centre.

Other aspects that the new committee is looking at, at present, are to continue the good work done by the previous committee – on finance, to ensure improved financial budgeting, reporting and control; on site improvements, what needs to be planned and financed; ensuring that all aspects of health and safety are continually monitored and reviewed; ensuring staff (employed and volunteer) are properly supported, appraised and developed and that the profile of the centre is continually improved, including the web-site, general publicity and booking arrangements.

This is an exciting time for Bonaly; the Bonaly Committee and Barry, as our centre manager, are motivated and excited about the future and I am sure members across the Region will continue to support the centre as we move forward with developments.

Two other major pieces of work are also currently under way:

I have previously reported that a review of our centre at Longcraig was undertaken and I am pleased to report that a second stage review, further developing various ideas and looking to plan for the future will now be moved forward under the chairmanship of Tom Murison, an Active Support Unit member in the Region.

Also, a group is working on updating our staff terms and conditions and employment contracts, to ensure we are properly meeting all our obligations in this regard.

Finally, this will be my last update as Regional Chairman – those of you who were at the Scottish Council AGM on 29 October will know that I was appointed as Honorary Treasurer of the Scottish Council, and I will be standing down as Regional Chairman at the Region AGM this week. It has been a great privilege to be the first Regional Chairman in South East Scotland Region and I have greatly enjoyed my term in office. A large amount of work has been done since the Region was formed and that is down to a huge team effort – my thanks go to all the members of the team, particularly the members of the Executive Committee, who have often endured long, but productive meetings. Progress has been made on many aspects of the Region’s business, but there is still a lot of work to do and I am delighted that Dorothy has identified a successor for the role of chairman. I wish everyone in South East Scotland Region well for the future – the Region has a strong leadership team and I am sure progress will continue and that our young people will continue to enjoy great Scouting.

 

John Kennedy                

Regional Chairman