MAG Western Region Annual Group Meeting
28th January 2007
Minutes
Ian Mutch, MAG President, Observing on behalf of the National Committee.
38 Attendees
Anne asked everyone to join her in a minutes silence out of respect for those in our ranks who had lost loved ones during the past year and for Donna & Griff.
As is the normal procedure with annual meetings these had been ratified by the Regional Committee and published on the website. Copies were available for anyone who hadn’t been able to read them on-line.
In Kath’s absence Bill presented her audited accounts which were accepted by the AGM.
Proposal to send up money to Central but only after we had paid for our new Regional MAG Stand.
The Group decided to appoint the same auditors as in past years.
Reports were presented to the Group by NC Liaison, Trace. Webmaster, Stuart Duckworth; Communications Officer, Andy Meredith; Political Officer, George Legg; Membership Secretary, Di Williams; Admin Officer, Anne Gale.
A short discussion ensued around the reasons for Anne Gale’s Motion to Annual Group Conference regarding the charging to Groups etc., for Public Liability Insurance, for publicising MAG at an event using a MAG stand. This was felt to be bad practise.
A short discussion ensued. Stuart will be standing down from this post in September due to undertaking a College Diploma. Steve Peake has volunteered to take over the post as from that time. The AGM thanked him.
This post is one we felt should be resurrected mid-2006 to help avoid clashes of dates for Events organised either by Groups or individuals thereof within the Region.
I (AG) have been in contact with Paul who we asked if he would like to retain a Committee position as his input has been invaluable on all MAG matters. He does not wish to serve on the Committee at this moment in time but may return in a year or two. However, he asked me to assure anyone requiring advice or assistance to please contact him as he will be only too pleased to help.
This meeting has to decide whether we drop this post for the present time.
Post remains vacant.
Break for lunch
His speech included, amongst other things: Membership up to over 10k. Using club magazines as a source of recruitment. David Short, MAG’s new recruitment officer; very optimistic as David’s background as a Chief Inspector of Police allows him to liaise well with people at all levels. New posters available for exhibiting and available on the MAG UK website. Working hard dispelling the myth of MAG’s hitherto perceived image. Motorcycle Monthly – new magazine out which is good & MAG friendly and wherein there is a 2 page interview with Mutch. If you get this new magazine, please feed back to the Editor of Motorcycle Monthly. With DS on board, MAG admin will now be fronted by Trevor who has been severely stretched over the past 3 years. DS will take on campaigns and front-line political stuff. MAG stands for freedom and the draconian ways are not acceptable – travel tax was mentioned. The technology required to establish this is just ‘big brother’, and completely unnecessary if this is just about relieving congestion as higher taxation on fuel would have the same effect.
A short discussion on this ensued. The general consensus being that this is all about controlling peoples lives.
The question was asked: Are MAG alongside RAC, AA, Assoc British Drivers etc?
MAG sits on the Motorcycle Advisory Group where these organisations are also represented.
MAG’s official position is that if Travel Tax comes in then motorcycles should be exempt.
Anne advised anyone who hadn’t done so to go on-line to sign the 10 Downing Street Petition opposing this; even if you don’t have your own email address then find a friend who has and sign up. At the time of the meeting nearly 600,000 signatures had been appended. [post meeting note – at time of going to press on these Minutes over 1million signatures!]
Proposal 1: That the Constitution, Standing Orders and Rules, as presented at this AGM, be adopted for management of MAG Western Region.
Proposed by:- Western Region Committee 2006
Seconded by: Les Jevens
Overwhelming Majority Vote.
Mid Wilts Group have offered to host the event.
New Law: If you accept a roadside fixed penalty notice, you will receive three points on your licence and a fine of £60. If a case goes to court, in addition to points you could face discretionary disqualification on top of a maximum fine of £1,000 (or £2,500 in the case of drivers of buses, coaches and goods vehicles)
The use of a hands-free phone or other equipment is not specifically prohibited because it is difficult for police to see it in use. However if you drive poorly, because you are distracted by a phone conversation for example, the police can prosecute for failing to have proper control of the vehicle. The same penalty applies - three points and a £60 fine.If there is an incident or a crash, the use of any phone could be justification for the charges of careless or dangerous driving. The penalties on conviction for such offences include heavy fines, endorsement, disqualification and - in serious cases - imprisonment.
Meeting closed at 4.00