Welcome:

David Wyles (DW) welcomed attendees to the Huddersfield Civic Society 2024 Annual General Meeting at the Brian Jackson Centre, Huddersfield

33 members signed the attendance sheet; hence the meeting was quorate in having more than 15 member attendees..

1. Apologies

Received from John Eastwood and Patricia Fuller.

2. Minutes of 2023 AGM

The Minutes of the above AGM were accepted as a true record. (Proposed, Howard Smith, Seconded, Martin Kilburn).

Matters Arising: There were no matters arising from the 2023 meeting minutes.

3. Chairman’s Report

The Chairman’s report had previously been circulated by email to attendees. David Wyles summarised key points around successes and problems of the town: the ongoing Transpennine (Rail) Route Upgrade, new University Health Campus and Kingsgate enhancements being example of the former and poor quality shopfronts, some decaying listed buildings and problematic Kirklees Council enforcement at sites, such as the former Infirmary, being examples of the latter.

David Wyles gave thanks to Michael Barron and to Martin Kilburn, retiring at this meeting from their respective roles as Treasurer and Minutes Secretary.

The report was accepted by all present.

4. Treasurer’s Report:

Michael Barron delivered a brief Treasurer’s report:

There was a small surplus for the 2023 year, the largest single item of expenditure being £1950 for the new HCS website.
- Total funds at the end of the year were slightly down, again largely accounted for by the website payment
- A portion of the Society’s funds have subsequently been moved to an alternative bank offering a higher interest rate account.
- MB expressed his thanks to Stephen Challenger for his time invested as the Society’s Independent Financial Examiner.

The report was accepted by all present.

5. Officers & Re-elections:

DW read-out the names of those seeking re-appointment:

President Bernard Ainsworth
- Chair – David Wyles
- Vice Chair – John Eastwood
- Planning Officer – Robert Taylor

The above were jointly proposed by Chris Marsden, seconded by Gideon Richards and all were duly returned.

The following stood for election in the following roles:

Secretary – Geoff Hughes
- Treasurer – Gideon Richards

Gideon stated that he was happy to stand as Treasurer on an interim basis, perhaps for just the 2023 financial year.

The above were jointly proposed by Howard Smith, seconded by Chris Marsden and were duly returned.

The following also stood as Trustees

Trustee – Patricia Fuller
- Trustee – Howard Smith
- Trustee – Ann Denham
- Trustee – Sylvia Johnson
- Trustee – Amanda Boothroyd

Amanda Boothroyd volunteered at the meeting whereas the others had previously stated their willingness to stand.

The above were jointly proposed by Gideon Richards, seconded by Robert Taylor and were duly returned.

David Wyles had previously announced his intention to retire this year as the

Society’s Chair, but stated that, with both Treasurer and Minutes Secretary standing down at this AGM, he was happy to continue for another year.

David Wyles also thanked the continuing efforts of 2 ex officio team members (Laura West – Membership Co-ordinator & Andy Hirst – Website Manager) with Andy having led the work on the new HCS website.

6. Appointment of Independent Examiner 2024.

Stephen Challenger has agreed to continue as Independent Financial Examiner Agreed unanimously by all attendees.

7. Close of Meeting

The formal meeting closed, followed by a move to an adjoining room for the Huddersfield Civic Trust’s Design Awards 2023.

Geoff Hughes, March 31, 2024. Amended May 14