Policy Discussions & Decisions

I have reworked the policy particularly clarifying the rules for the show allowance plus a general update.

Please send comments if you have them.

Val xx

David Price has suggested an addition to the 2025 AGM agenda

Rather than have an open online discussion a better approach will be for the committee to discuss this option and should a change be approved then add it to the agenda for ratification.

I would like to propose a "pre-approved spend amount" for the purchase of locos. A few months ago, Nigel missed out on a large loco collection while he waited for committee approval of the spend. If we had a pre-approved spend amount (perhaps up to £10k) then he can act very quickly in future negotiations. Obviously, the approved amount can be reduced at any time by Eric, should the club's financial circumstances change.

Discussion points

Note name change – previously incorrectly described as Roadshow Expenses

George has suggested an addition to the 2025 AGM agenda to discuss the possibility of increasing the Roadshow Allowance Payment.

Rather than have an open online discussion a better approach will be for the committee to discuss this option and should a change be approved then add it to the agenda for ratification.

As a reminder the relevant sections of the Roadshow Policy and Rules are Section 6 and section 6.1.

• 6. Roadshow Team members attending public events agreed by the REM may be paid a Roadshow Allowance. This allowance is a contribution to help offset the costs of hotel rooms, transport and food and will be restricted to public events. This will not include our own internal ‘Summer Meets’ as the OOLS Club does not directly benefit from our own get-togethers.

  
  

The issue around the club becoming a Limited Company has been a re-occurring for a number of years now and despite much discussion and several votes has not been satisfactorily resolved. One of the main reasons for this has been that none of the current committee have the necessary skill set to conclusively answer all the questions raised.

Fortunately this situation has now changed following Jack Lythgoe being co-opted onto the committee. Jack is currently an Assurance Associate at EY, one of the largest professional services networks in the world and considered one of the big four accounting firms.

Back in August I asked Jack if he could use his professional skills to research and produce a report for the committee so that we would have a clearer understanding of both the options and implication associated with the club becoming a limited company or a charity. I also asked Jack…