FLINTSHIRE LOCAL VOLUNTARY COUNCIL Cyngor Gwirfoddol Lleol Sir Fflint

Minutes of the Sixteenth Annual General Meeting Held at Deeside College Thursday, 26 September 2013, 7.00 pm

PRESENT:

M Manley Elfed High School Marjorie Thomson CAB/FLVC Mandy Deyes BADG Will Hastings Flintshire Fairtrade Coalition Anita James Daffodils John Clutton Coleg Cambria Paul Shotton FCC Michael Dixon Hope Mountain RDA Cllr Carolyn Preece Buckley Town Council Mary Southall Sealand Manor Residents Association Sian Edwards FLVC Volunteer Rachael Partington FLVC Veronica Gay FDF P Lawton-Hughes Sychdyn Memorial Hall Shaun Darlington FLVC M Langton-Davies Gardners I Langton-Davies Gardners Allan Young MS Society Flintshire Steve Nash FLVC Fred Evans RSVP/Hawarden Rangers M Parry FYRD Margaret Jones FLVC Fran Parry Community Health Council Jasbir Dhesi Coleg Cambria Barrie Potter FLIME June Brady FLVC Sue Williams FLVC Mike Ritchie Royal Voluntary Service Chelsea Hibbert TFC Tara Griffiths TFC Irene Langford FLVC D Healey Hope & Caergwrle David Cox FCC John Gray FLVC Ann Woods Home-Start Julie Evans Dangerpoint Wendy Carter FLVC Yvette Bracewell FLVC Gill Stephen MISYFF

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 1 Alwyn Jones FCC Terry Williams NWFRS Gerry Kitney Over 50s Action Group Pat Mee Transition Town Holywell & District Vy Cochran Wales & West Housing James Johnson FLVC Harold Taylor Hawarden Singers Paul Garner Cornerstone Eileen Griffiths Llwynegrin Singers Christine Bevan Llwynegrin Singers Purdy Edwards FLVC Chris Ablett FLVC Sheila Bacon FLVC Clive Bracewell FLVC Roberta Owen Transition Holywell & District Dolores Phelan Transition Holywell & District Julie Barber Tandem Cymru Karie Deyes BADG Fiona Roberts MIND Sue Sharps Caerwys Show John Leece-Jones AVOW Askar Sheibani Comtek Cllr Ian Dunbar FCC Edith Greensmith Beachwood Road Garden Project Barry Harrison ACNEW Colin Herbert Community Walks Tom Jones FLVC Eric Owen FDF Helen Perry FFFLD/Penderels Stephen Harmes RDCC Janette Williams Vision Support Sylvia Gardiner FCC Youth Service Sean Virgo BADG Charlie Lawson BADG Kay Polley TCC John Gallanders AVOW Lynne Rowlands FLVC

APOLOGIES

Sandy Mewies, AM Liz Holland FLVC Gill Harrison FCC Chief Constable Mark Polin North Wales Police Ian Dickson Coleg Cambria Cllr Neville Phillips FCC Tom Barham David Jenkins Wales Co-operative Centre Sian Roberts Urdd Gobaith Cymru Tim Day WCVA

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 2 John Davies Mold Salutes Winston Roddick Commissioner North Wales Police , AM Bronwen Hughes Ysgol Maes Garmon , AM John R Jones Medrwn Mon David Knights Home-start Carl Longland FCC Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd Carol Salmon FCC , AM Roger Davies Hawarden High School Gwernaffield Church Hall Association Ian Budd FCC Antoinette Sandbach, AM Cllr Amanda Bragg FCC , AM Graham Benfield WCVA , AM Rt Hon , AM Cymdeithas Thomas Pennant Lord Mostyn David Jones Denbighshire Voluntary Services Countil Michael Collins Kinnerton Village Hall Harri Owen-Jones FLVC Flintshire CABx Jeff Cuthbert, AM Nikki Giles Flintshare Jacky Baldini Alzheimer’s Flintshire , AM Viv Williams Flintshire War Memorials Jo Clay Sport Wales Maureen Jones Bagillt Community Association Ellen Heart Unique John Griffiths, AM Northop Hall Bowling Club Marie Freeman Grassmerian Social Club Buckley Society Mark Drakeford, AM Mark Isherwood, AM David Hanson, MP Dr Peter Higson BCUHB Hilary Stevens BCUHB Cllr Meirick Lloyd Davies North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Dilys Shaw Medrwn Mon Gwernynymynydd Village Hall Mavis Crofts Saltney 50+/Saltney Residents Lindsay Haveland Community Transport Wales Carol Gilogly St Andrew’s Church Margaret Jones Tyddyn Street Church

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 3 Barbara Roberts FLVC Carol Evans Victim Support Phil Jarrold WCVA David Faulkner Evening Leader Barry Jones Evening Leader Inez Hickie Mountain Music & Arts St Mary’s Church Hall , AM Janet Williams BDS NE Wales Bryan Morgan Darby & Joan Club Mold Deeside Naturalists Paul Hinchliffe Alison Roberts B2C Mike Dodd Neighbourhood Economics Sue Woods FMHAS

2. WELCOME

Michael Dixon, Chair FLVC, welcomed Askar Sheibani, CEO of Comtek and one of Wales’ Entrepreneurial Champions, as President of the meeting.

3. OPENING REMARKS BY ASKAR SHEIBANI

Askar Sheibani opened by outlining the ethics of his company, Comtek, which has corporate social responsibility, sustainability and a passion for protecting the environment at the heart of all that it does. Through this model it encourages its staff, customers and the wider community to share these values and in doing so has become a very profitable, ethical business. The company continually promotes its environmental message both locally and globally. It considers itself to be a part of the local community and is involved in many projects including encouraging entrepreneurial skills among the youth, encouraging apprenticeships, building community cohesion, supporting local business start ups, etc. The company campaigned with FCC for the creation of Deeside Enterprise Zone which has brought new businesses and opportunities into the area. The most recent campaign has been for the upgrading of the -Bidston line. The company is very much community focused.

4. MINUTES OF AGM HELD ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2012

The Minutes of the AGM held on 27 September 2012 were approved as a true and accurate record.

Proposed: Tom Jones Seconded: Fran Parry

MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising.

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 4 6. FLVC CHAIR’S REPORT

Michael Dixon reported that each year FLVC and the organisations it supports seem to face tougher challenges and the past year had been no exception. It reflected the uncertain funding environment in which the Third and Public Sectors are now operating. Despite having to manage significant reductions in funding FLVC continued to provide a wide range of services to local voluntary and community groups and to develop innovative projects which address local needs, including the “Mentors for Me” “Time for Change” and “Step Up Step Out” projects. FLVC is looking to increase the number of services which generate income and can become self supporting.

He thanked principal funders, , Flintshire County Council, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Big Lottery for their continuing support. He concluded by saying that his first year as Chair of FLVC had been an exciting one and thanked the staff and trustees for their support and commitment.

7. ENTERPRISING SECTOR

Kieran Duff, FLVC Chief Officer highlighted the range of services which FLVC has managed to deliver despite reductions in funding and other pressures. He paid tribute to staff for their energy and commitment. He recognised that the future would be tough but identified two key principles on which FLVC would focus “Enterprise and Collaboration”. He felt that small businesses and the voluntary sector were very similar and that voluntary organisations were enterprises with a social purpose and for community benefit, each could learn a lot from the other. He summarised how FLVC was collaborating with fellow CVCs, in particular AVOW to develop their services as social enterprises and with other CVCs and Local Authorities on projects like Digital Inclusion. He commented that many of the pressures and challenges were outside our control but that FLVC needed to concentrate on the ones that we could shape and influence and remain “masters of our own destiny”.

Lynne Rowlands, Volunteer Centre Team Leader, reported that the past year has been a very busy year for the Volunteer Centre including 1455 volunteering enquiries received via the website. 525 individuals interviewed and advised about volunteering and 629 people started volunteering

The number of areas where enquiries have particularly increased included individuals who have mental health support needs; young people with learning and/or physical disabilities and also a high number of enquiries where people have cited transport costs as a barrier to volunteering. A film showing what the Volunteer Centre does and how it works was screened and mention was made of Chris Ablett who had made the film and was running an IT project for young people.

Kevin Roberts, Communities 2.0, gave a digital presentation on the project which is a cross-county collaboration between FLVC, AVOW, Flintshire County

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 5 Council and Council. The project uses paid staff and Digital Champion Volunteers to deliver IT training to digitally excluded people across the area. He outlined the importance of digital inclusion especially as many benefits and jobs will soon be unavailable offline. He concluded with a short promo showing the future of technology.

Unfortunately, Alison Roberts was unable to make her presentation on the Business Supporting Communities project. Kieran Duff, therefore, made the presentation on her behalf. The aim of the project is creating relationships and opportunities of mutual benefit to enhance local communities across North Wales. This is achieved through various initiatives including: Community Card, Mentoring and Professionals involving local businesses and professionals. Examples were shown where local businesses had volunteered to help local organisations and groups. The project is running across North Wales, managed by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council, and with development officers in each CVC.

Kieran Duff noted that several of the projects that FLVC is involved in are run in collaboration with partner organisations.

8. ACCEPTANCE OF ANNUAL REPORT

It was proposed Ann Woods, Seconded Tom Jones that the Annual Report be accepted.

9. INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES

As there were four candidates and six vacancies on the Board there was no election. However, the candidates were given an opportunity to introduce themselves. Unfortunately Paul Hinchliffe was unable to be present.

Michael Dixon used the opportunity to pay tribute to his predecessors, Sue Woods and Harri Owen-Jones and wished the latter well.

The following were therefore elected to FLVC Board: Paul Hinchliffe, Pip Perry, Michael Dixon, Fiona Roberts.

Kieran Duff reported that three candidates had expressed an interest after the closing date and they would be considered as co-options by the trustees.

10. PRESENTATION OF AUDITED ACCOUNTS

A copy of the Statement of Financial Activities had been issued to attendees and copies of the full accounts were available. They would also be available online. Clive Bracewell, Chair of Financial & General Purposes Sub- committee gave a summary. He reported that the accounts had been approved by the FLVC Board on 5 September. The independent auditors had given an unqualified audit report. He thanked partners for continued funding and noted that funding sources are increasingly under pressure. There has been a 10% cut to core funding and the situation would not improve in the

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 6 short term. FLVC, in partnership with AVOW, is currently looking at Social Enterprise opportunities and currently generates income from the printing project, payroll and accountancy services. Tenancy numbers in Corlan are falling and this may cause problems.

There will be significant cuts for 2013-2014 but FLVC will continue to use its resources efficiently.

11. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS FOR 2013-2014

It was proposed that Gardners continue to act as FLVC’s auditors for 2013- 2014 but that the contract would be looked at for 2014-2015.

Proposed: Tom Jones Seconded: Jayne Edwards

12. CLOSING REMARKS

Askar Sheibani felt that it was a privilege to be invited to the meeting and highlighted the importance of volunteering. He noted the role of volunteers at the 2012 Olympics and that Welsh Rally GB was currently looking for volunteers. Volunteers are a fundamental part of the fabric of society.

Michael Dixon made a presentation to Askar Sheibani and thanked him for presiding at the AGM. He also made a presentation to Sue Williams for co- ordinating the AGM.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.40 pm.

FLVC AGM 26 September 2013 7