The Committee has undertaken to evaluate various concerns voiced during the  development stage. A study will be carried out to evaluate the most appropriate model for the constitution be it a Community Interest Company,  a company limited by guarantee or a Charitable Unincorporated Association.

Although only members will be able to vote for their preferred choice, the consultation will extend to the members or potential members of existing and newly established Regional Forums of Independent Members and others who have expressed interest by seeking the early documentation and, or attended the inaugural meeting.

The study will look at the Association’s structure and possible and desirable future structure including branch structures. It will examine various classes of member, full individual, associate member, corporate member and retired member. The study will look at committee structure, management, designations, tenure etc. The proposed terms of reference for the study will be circulated to the membership for comment prior to commencement.

Interim decisions may have to be taken at various stages to limit the permutations. The final drafting will reflect the legal and strategic aspects that follow the stage by stage evolvement of the study and the consultation processes that establish the framework.

Meanwhile we must not be diverted or deflected by our principal aims and obligations which are to provide support and services to our members.

Our priorities must be:-

• Recruitment of members and also the establishment of a register of IM’s of SC’s across the country.
• Communicating with our membership.
• Communications with existing and new regional forums.
• Pursuing funding possibilities.
• Strengthening our relationship with stakeholders and in particular, ACSeS, LGA, SOLACE, Audit Commission, CIPFA and SBE.
• Register our existence and capability with DCLG.
• Continue developing our website with password protected sections for members access only.
• Preparation of procedures in order to effectively meet the challenges of consultation once the new Code of Conduct and the promised White Paper are issued. This will all require a dedicated and coordinated and planned approach.

Thank you all for supporting the move to achieving this stage. This is only the beginning. The more who join, the more will be involved with an exciting and fast moving future. The more ideas and the collective working together to meet common aims will help us to sort out our own organisational problems and be fully prepared for our principal purposes.

Finally, I would suggest that if you are uncertain about joining or wish only to join after change has occurred, you will achieve more and sooner as a member because you can vote.

Thank you all,
Yours sincerely,
Bruce Claxton. Chairman.