The Regional Executive Committee met on 24 May to deal with another very full agenda. Progress is being made on various matters including the following:

The Committee received a report from the group charged with reviewing Longcraig. The report included a number of recommendations, which were accepted in principle and are to be moved forward following discussion with the Longcraig Management Committee. The recommendations cover property, including necessary improvements to the buildings and an ongoing programme for craft replacement, communication, including recruitment of staff volunteers and marketing the centre and, central to taking everything forward, fundraising.

There are a number of common themes coming from the Bonaly and Longcraig review reports, as well as other work being done in the Region, and it is clear that we need a more common approach to the work we do and the systems and procedures we have in place across Bonaly, Longcraig and Valleyfield Street. Sharing and implementing common procedures will therefore be a major consideration as we move plans forward.

The Regional Treasurer presented the draft annual accounts for the year to 31 March 2011. The accounts show a healthy financial position, which gives some resource to allow us to progress with some of our plans. The accounts will now be presented for external audit and the final version will come to the next meeting for approval prior to circulation for the AGM later in the year.

The Region’s investments are managed by Adam & Co, Investment Managers, and the Chairman and Treasurer reported on a satisfactory review meeting.

The Committee noted progress, albeit slower than desired, on matters following the Bonaly Review Report, including outside access to the flat in the chalet, the establishing of an informal group to move forward staff support and development and a presentation on the plans to the Bonaly ASU.

The Committee noted the completion of the improvements to the toilet block at Bonaly and agreed to the acquisition of a new site vehicle.

The excellent progress of the Development Project was noted, as was Alan Willoughby’s regular report to the committee detailing all the work he undertakes in support of Scouting across the Region.

If anyone has any comments or wishes to raise any points in relation to the work of the Executive Committee, please contact me. (email jwkennedy@blueyonder.co,uk )

John Kennedy
Regional Chairman