AGM 2017

Annual General Meeting 2017: Report

The Friends' AGM was held on 5 April 2017. President, Sir Angus Stirling, welcomed those present, and the minutes of the 2016 meeting were approved.

The Trustees' Report for 2016 was presented by Andy Walker, the main points being:

•    Proposals and consultation for the improvement of the Holland House environment and café yard.

•    Restoration of the 18th-century Earl's Court gates.

•    New and clearer directional signage in the park.

•    Approval of RBK&C's Ten-Year Strategy for Parks, in the creation of which the Friends had played a considerable role.

•    Significant increase in the Friends' grants to the park: total £33,142.

•    Production of two guides: 'Decorative Art in Holland Park' and 'Notable Trees'.

Simon Lindesay-Bethune gave the Treasurer's report for 2016. The balance for the financial year 2016 was £86,470: down on 2015 due to success in increasing funding to the park in 2016. Event income was down, and trustees aimed to address this issue over the coming year. The full accounts had been circulated in the spring 2017 newsletter.

The Secretary's Report was delivered by Rhoddy Wood, who said that membership stood at 980, of whom 150 were new members, and others were expected to renew. Members were encouraged to sign up for Gift Aid and to pay by banker's order. She thanked those members who had encouraged others to join, and also thanked the 21 members who saved the Friends ca £2,400 a year in postage by hand-delivering newsletters.

Election of the trustees. All nine trustees had agreed to stand again and were duly re-elected.

Election of the independent examiner. Roger Foreman was re-elected.

Chairman's Outlook for 2017. Chairman, Jennie Kettlewell, emphasised that the last two years had been a period of building foundations for improvements the Friends wished to see in the park. Some of these improvements were now beginning to be realised. She was pleased to announce that new member, Silvi Spassov, had agreed to act as FHP Accounts Co-ordinator (see below). There were some interesting questions from the floor (some of which have been addressed, as will be seen in the newsletter).

Much has happened since the AGM, and this is an opportunity to update members, rather than report on the situation as it was in early April (see News Update).

[Summer 2017]

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, 5 April 2017, at 7.30 pm in the Orangery

Much has happened since our 2016 AGM, not all exactly as expected. The replacement of the Opera Holland Park tents did not materialise for complex reasons, but proposals for enhancing the terrace of Holland House, the approach road and the café yard, did. You can read in this newsletter some of the other improvements to the park, either completed or yet to come. We need now to focus on restoration of our historic listed buildings, and on ensuring the park is secured as a safe green space that balances the often competing wishes of its user groups. Your trustees are fully involved in discussions about what is happening.

Do come to the AGM to hear what is being discussed, to air your views and help us set priorities. We welcome your support.

[Spring 2017]