I've been following this with interest, but not with any conviction either way, and being a passive member, not really having any right to make judgements. However, I'm beginning to get suspicious.
quote email rxvd today
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Dear CTC member in Scotland
When I first started my time as Councillor for Scotland, three years ago, we were told that the legal requirements for transforming CTC membership organisation into a charity had been fully investigated and there were no significant problems.
The reason to look at this was mainly because of the increasing administrative complications of dealing with two parts of one CTC. Also as more and more CTC activity was being done under the Trust, it meant that there was at least a nominal risk to democratic control of the whole. Even though the sole Trustee of the Charity is the CTC, represented by four elected Councillors who act as Trustees, it is clumsy and a rather unwieldy.
As a new boy, coming mainly from cycle campaigning, I was a bit concerned about any possible curbing of CTC’s freedom to be critical of the powers that be. Along with several others we wanted, and got, more investigation and consideration. It has been a long drag with my personal inquiries, workshops looking at other experiences and alternatives and significantly a change in the law allowing full-on advocacy and benefits to members. The key is that what is done is in the public interest. With an increasingly inclusive Club this is no problem.
Finally we paid for an in depth Independent Review of CTC Governance by Cass Business School of City University London, whose recommendations were adopted by the Council and are the basis for us moving forward.
The CTC Charitable Trust, was set up when the new National Office was being built at Guildford to take advantage of the savings charities enjoy. Soon after that Big Lottery money the CTC received as part of an Active Travel programme (partly because we now had a Charitable arm) allowed CTC cycle promotion officers to start CTC work across England. The first ‘Gathering’ of Scottish membership in November 2007 made it clear that similar work should be done in Scotland. We have been trying to get funding since then and the two Bike Club officers coming to Scotland shortly, thanks to ASDA Trust money, will be the first CTC professionals we have had.
Meanwhile CTC has been blossoming over the last couple of years, in terms of membership and activities, as cycling moves up the public and political agenda. Each new piece of work the CTC Trust has engaged in has spread the word and also brought income to the Club to improve its services.
The idea now is to convert the CTC membership organisation into a charity. This will then allow it to be merged with the CTC Charitable Trust. I am convinced there is no cogent reason it shouldn’t. We will then have what we have now except as a simpler whole, with guaranteed democracy but without the admin hassle.
There will also be some financial advantages. Funders like working with charities and there will be gift aid potential on subscriptions which will all go to improving the club.
OK – so why don’t we just get on with it. Well it is your Club and it needs 75% of your votes at a CTC AGM to make this sort of change.
That would normally be fine but democracy is a fragile animal. You will see in your copy of Cycle this weekend that a platform has been given to an ex Councillor Simon Legg who has taken against the process and is actively campaigning in South-West London against the vote. You will see that he wants to turn the clock back and contract into a mainly exclusive cycle ride organisation, with services. A few ‘antis’ and their friends using the Proxy voting system could upset the progress being made.
CTC does all that Simon calls for but has become so much more. The arguments he uses to turn back just don’t stand up to scrutiny. Unfortunately this challenge has meant that an enormous amount of extra time and effort has had to go into doing just that by staff, Councillors and advisors. This is on top of the normal rigorous oversight of all CTC activities which must be as thorough as for any dynamic, democratic operation.
There is no suggestion of fraud, but the implication of mismanagement and a ‘them and us’ culture could be seen as an insult to the enthusiastic, hard working and dedicated staff as well as the volunteer Councillors who set and check the agenda. CTC Project accounts, audited by funders as well as CTC’s independent auditors, have been gone through with a fine tooth comb by extremely well qualified Councillors. All ended up adding to Club funds, some rather more that was intended. There is no case made.
When I joined Council I never thought I’d be interested in the admin. side, but this vote is important. It is about growing the CTC family and improving services while sharing our experience, know how and the pleasures of cycling with everyone else.
Please use your Proxy vote in the Apr-May Cycle, if you can’t get to the AGM, to ensure a smooth passage so we can get on with the work of the CTC ‘Vision’. Alternatively you can nominate myself, David Robinson, CTC chair, or another to vote on your behalf.
Normally enjoying your cycling is what matters most, but in this case it is your vote which can really make the difference in ensuring an ongoing happy, healthy club.
Best regards.
Peter Hayman
CTC Councillor, Scotland " /quote
