Summary Report
This report summarises the main points that were discussed during a meeting of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society Council that took place on Tuesday 14th December 2010 at the Society’s offices in Bronaeron, Lampeter.
It was reported that the three office Open Days held in Bronaeron in November (19th, 20th and 24th) were a great success, with over 100 people attending. Very positive comments were made and recorded in the visitors’ book, with the museum seeing a welcome return. Good coverage was received in the local and national press (English and Welsh). Ongoing work continues in the museum, with additional central display units to be installed and sponsorship opportunities are still available. If you are interested in obtaining further information, please contact the Principal Officer on anna.p@wpcs.uk.com.
An official opening of the new Offices was discussed, to take place prior to the 2011 AGM. Further information will be supplied as soon as definite details are confirmed.
It was passed that the Society offices will close over the Christmas period between 29th and 31st December 2010. Members will be notified of the office closure on the Society Web site, with Bank Holidays either side of these dates meaning that the office will close on the 24th December 2010 and re-open on Tuesday 4th January 2011. A notice to this effect will be placed on the Society Website.
The Principal Officer updated Council on the development of the new Society Web site and confirmed that this would be up and running prior to the 2011 AGM. The new site will enable members to advertise in a searchable Stud Directory or Classified Advertisements sections and will facilitate on-line payments for Society goods and services.
Nominations were received for a President-Elect in 2011, the award of the Miss Broderick Memorial Trophy and appointments made for Honorary Life-Members and Vice-Presidents.
A meeting had taken place between the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society in November to discuss the future of the WPCS Pavilion on the showground, amongst other items. Options for refurbishing or replacing the existing Pavilion, or moving to alternative premises / location on the showground are being investigated further.
Welfare was discussed and it was agreed that the following statement would be published on the Society Web site and in the next Newsletter:
“The Council of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society are mindful of the large number of ponies being bred in the current economic climate and urge members to act responsibly, to use restraint and think twice before covering their mares”.
An open Forum meeting will be held prior to the AGM on Saturday 5th March 2011, from 9.30am until 11.30am. Anyone wishing to submit questions for the forum, or the AGM itself, should do so in writing to the office at least 14 days prior to the event. Questions will be taken from the floor during the forum session.
The Society Accounts for 2009/10 were ratified and will be circulated to members for approval at the 2011 AGM in the Spring mailing. The next accounting period will cover 15 months (1st October 2010 to 31st December 2011), due to the change of Society financial year from 1st October to 30th September, to 1st January to 31st December.
The Society AGM minutes for 2010 were approved by Council and will be circulated to members in the Spring mailing, for acceptance at the 2011 AGM.
The Microchipping Group presented a report to Council and it was agreed that for all registrations in 2011, the purchase of Society microchips would be optional. It is important to note that it remains a legal requirement for all animals to be microchipped and if microchips other than those supplied by the Society are used, they must be ISO compliant and the veterinary surgeon inserting the chip will be required to confirm as such. The fee for registration reverts to £22 as from 1st January 2011, with the purchase of a microchip being a separate transaction, costing £5.
All Society fees and prices will rise in line with the VAT increase (17.5% to 20%) as from 4th January 2011, with prices to be rounded up to the nearest 50p. Members will be notified of the new prices in the Spring Newsletter and on the Society Website.
The Principal Officer put forward a proposal to restructure WPCS meetings and this was accepted with effect from 2011. To synchronise with the new financial year, a proposal was made to realign the Society business plan and budgets from 1st January to 31st December and this was agreed.
The Chair highlighted that Council will attend trustee training during April 2011 in addition to induction for the new trustees and further trustee development events will be undertaken on an on-going basis.
It was reaffirmed that all communication for the attention of Council should go through the office and be put in writing, directed for the attention of the Principal Officer.
A feedback and evaluation form for the Society Journal will be circulated to members with the 2011 Journal and this questionnaire will also be available on-line. This will enable the Society to assess satisfaction with the journal and receive suggestions for future improvement.
Applicants for the new Society Driving Panel were accepted and a review of the Judging and Showing Handbook for 2011 was undertaken. The new handbook will be available as from January 2011 and all Panel Judges will be provided with a copy.
Educational visits had taken place at Aberystwyth University and Llandrillo College in early December, where presentations were made on the Welsh breeds to equine students. A practical demonstration of all Sections was also provided and these events were a great success in promoting the Welsh breeds. As a result of these visits, further collaboration with the education sector is being discussed and a visit to Hartpury Colelge is planned for February 2011.
It was reported that the Society Christmas Cards had been sold out, with additional stock ordered to meet demand. Delays had been experienced with regard to delivery of the 2011 Calendar, with stocks due to arrive in the office this week.
Anna L. Prytherch
Principal Officer
15th December 2010
