09/01/2018

North West Region AGM

The IAEA's North West Region AGM was held on 9 January 2018 with seven members of the Region in attendance.

Chairman Mark Willis opened the meeting with his Chairman's Report.

The North West Region's lecture programme commenced in March 2017 with a lecture from Andrew Marsh of Auto Industry Consulting focusing on ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System). Another lecture in November was given by Ian White (former active North West Region Committee member) on the subject of Computerised Accident Investigation. Mark thanked both speakers and also thanked Terry Rainforth and Norman Williamson for organising the respective speakers.

Mark went on record to thank Norman for his 'diligent work' as Secretary and thanked Bernard Denton for carrying out his financial duties 'so proficiently'. Mark also thanked all Regional Committee members for their assistance and help as well as the Hillcrest hotel.

Due to the recent change in bank account protocol (all funds now being held and 'ring-fenced' by IAEA Head Office for the North West Region), Treasurer Bernard Denton was 'not in a position to produce a balance sheet for the AGM'.

Chairman Mark Willlis and Treasurer Bernard Denton both stood down from their positions and so began the election of a new Chairman.

The members present were asked if anyone wished to stand for election to Chairman. Philip Roath (Council Member at IAEA HQ and employee at AXA Insurance) indicated that he was prepared to carry out the role of Chairman, as no other person had indicated they would be prepared to stand. Tim Kelly proposed Philip Roath be elected Chairman for the current year. This was seconded by Martyn Finnagan, the members present voted unanimously in favour of Philip and as he was unopposed, he was duly elected Chairman. Philip thanked the members present for electing him and stated that he would do his best to resolve any ongoing issues and take the NW Region forward.

Members present were asked if anyone was prepared to stand for election to Vice Chairman and Martyn Finnagan indicated that he would be prepared to stand and as no other nominations had been received he was proposed by Tim Kelly and seconded by Philip Roath. The vote to elect Martyn Finnagan as Vice Chairman was unanimous.

Norman Williamson stood down as Secretary of the North West Region and as there was no one present who was prepared to stand, the post of Secretary remains vacant.

The post of Treasurer remains vacant as no member has indicated that they were prepared to stand for election and as the post is possibly now redundant it was decided after discussion with the members present that the posts of Secretary and Treasurer (when filled) could possibly be amalgamated.

Tm Kelly and Terry Rainforth stood and were elected to the Committee.

Later on the agenda was a discussion on the lecture programme for the rest of the year. Philip Roath stated that he would try to organise events for the coming year but would appreciate help from other members.

There was discussion earlier in the meeting over electing members who were not and never have been present at any NW Region meetings and it was decided that after further enquiries in this regard, an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Committee would be required to decide if a member could be proposed to stand for election to any available post by the membership attending the meeting. Any such meeting would have to be notified to the NW Region membership.

Those members present at the AGM thanked Mark Willis, Bernard Denton and Norman Williamson for all of their work carried out over the last 18-20 years in keeping the IAEA NW Region going, in return they wished the new Executive luck in running the Region.