Branch AGM West Middlesex

The Forester, West Ealing

7th May 2025

Attendees Dave Bender (DB), Will Busher (WB), Paul Conlan (PC), Ewan Cotter (EC), Morris Daniels (MD), Bruno De Aguiar (BD), Ellie Eames regional director (EE), Alistair Graebener (AG), Stephen Gilmour (SG), Graham Harrison (GH), Ben Hart (BH), Jon Hart (JH), Llyr Jones (LJ), Jason Lansbury (JL), Bob O’Brien (BOB), Tracey Powell (TP), Mike Rust (MR),

Apologies Steve Banister (SB), Chris Jones (CJ), Tony Lennon (TL), Roy Tunstall (RT).

Previous years AGM minutes AGM minutes 22/5/2024 were read to the meeting by LJ and were accepted as true record of last meeting but unapproved as no physical copy.

Chairs report JL Read out chairs report to the meeting Toast raised to Bill Feaver

Presentation of branch accounts Mike Rust branch treasurer presented accounts and confirmed they have been examined. Loss in 2023 so set aside funds to write off loan to CAMRA in balance sheet but 2024 did not realise a profit. VAT accounts for a loss of £2000 owed £3000 to HMRC.VAT penalty doesn’t show in accounts as wasn’t creditor in October 2024.The penalty was £542 + £242 interest. This was due to the branch being in annual accounting with HMRC, but HMRC put us onto quarterly accounting which returns were done 31/10/2024.

DB Is it standard procedure MR responded that it relates back to 2023 beer festival monthly VAT returns so suspended due to loss at beer festival so not due. But not informed HMRC so they changed us over. LJ asked are we still on quarterly returns MR stated yes still on quarterly returns Jan done and another due now. AG asked if it was in the branches interests to be annual. MR appealed against penalty, but this was rejected by HMRC. JL asked is long term plan to go back to annual .MR stated has other jobs that are a higher priority but will keep a watchful eye. Most urgent is to organise new signatories dependent on election outcomes tonight. RT has agreed to keep authorising in short term. BH proposes adopting accounts AG seconded. Agreed by meeting.

Appointment of examiner Ted Bradley has agreed to do this for this year’s accounts.

Motions to AGM

Motion 1 circulated via website and email in advance of meeting JH moved motions 1a] 98% of beers to be cask beers to be revised to British live beer this is in relation to beers stocked at beer festivals organised by branch and the alternative 1b]92% to meet CAMRA’S definition of cask conditioned beer

Explained that this was related to a previous branch byelaw that a motion was required to change branch policy.

Opened for debate EE: Didn’t feel it was controversial AG: Commented suggested relocation of keg bar for this years festival will promote cask ale as it will be more prominent. BH: Commented that keg offers choice and could be a gateway to cask beer. Motion 1a allows more flexibility to branch in future. Gone over 8.5% so why not make it more flexible. AG: Asked can we apply rule around bright beer JH: stated we could order more yes but haven’t done any wholesale bulk ordering we have just ordered 1 or 2 kegs of same beer DB: suggested we stick with national CAMRA policy intent which would be achieved by passing Motion1a Vote called Motion 1a was passed with at least 2/3rds majority

Motion 2 JH moved motion which refers to previous branch policy for a pub or club of the year not to win in consecutive years. To be removed to allow consecutive wins.

We should be proactive with constructive feedback to any club/pub failing to win to encourage competition in following years.

Opened for debate JL: said concern was what impact this would have as in theory one pub/club can win in perpetuity. GH: asked if we could have a most improved pub category. JH: stated not covered by this motion. TP: spoke in support of the motion. Vote was called 2/3rd majority achieved 11 voted in favour, none against, 4 abstentions.

Elections MR: Willing to carry on for another year as branch treasurer JL: Happy to continue as secretary & minutes secretary JH: Membership secretary TP: Pub promotions and awards SG: Cider representative BH: branch contact Brian Munday: Good beer guide submission coordinator WB: Socials meeter and greeter EE: Acting chair (In absence of volunteer from within branch JL: Vice chair (only to cover for any temp absence of EE) LJ: Website coordinator Social secretary vacant unfilled London regional director report EE reported that the constitution in London has been amended to reduce the number of LRC meetings per year plus a regional social. As lessons can be learnt from different branches, all facing problems but different in nature so this can help other branches find solutions Regional reviews being driven by national CAMRA. Kingston & Leatherhead is going to split. Some issues in North East London, struggling to get the branch together. Bigger branches lead to less people going to able to get to socials due to distances. 12 London branches. BOB commented on the number of population and London Boroughs as this is over 1million people and boroughs.

Vote of thanks Thanks to Roy Tunstall for his longstanding service to this branch and to MR for preparing accounts over this and previous years.

Thanked all for attending tonight's AGM.

Meeting closed 21.55pm