Minutes of Annual General Meeting
held at RSUA, 2 Mount Charles, Belfast
on 11th December 2014
MINUTES
PRESENT:
APOLOGIES:
David Mounstephen (Chair)
Roisin Willmott
Gavan Rafferty
Philip Maguire
Kathryn McFerran
Michael McQuiston
Conor Auld
Neil Dunlop
James O’Flaherty
Kim Boal
John Turner
Laura Roddy
Laurie McGee
David Brown
Arthur Acheson
Jenny Mawhinney
Alice McGlone
Judith Winters
Claire Williamson
Gemma Jobling
Helen Harrison
Carol Ramsey
David Worthington
Diana Thompson
Sharon Mossman
Diana Fitzsimons
Stephen Watson
Paul McTernan
Lisa Grant
Ian Wilson
Louise O’Kane
Lee Hannigan
Hazel Bell
Karen Blair
Shane Mathers
Pamela O’Donnell
Adele Ferguson
Bill Morrison
Brona Sheppard
Kyle Alexander
Anne Garvey
Sean Hagan
Trevor Rue
Donald Deeney
Catherine McWhirter
Dick Mackenzie
Colin McAuley
1.
Welcome
th
David Mounstephen welcomed everyone to this 40 AGM of the branch.
2.
Minutes of AGM 2013
The 2013 minutes were agreed as a true record.
Proposed:
Neil Dunlop
Seconded:
3.
David Brown
Chairs Report
David Mounstephen gave his report on his year as Chair. David explained the branch held 13
events this year with the focus on the Centenary and looking forward to the big changes happening
in Planning next year. David said that even though we focused more on reform it was important that
we celebrated the centenary also.
David said that we held three Councillor Training events this year in March/June and November with
around 70 delegates attending each conference including Elected Representatives/DOE Planners
and Private Sector. Good feedback received from each event.
The branch were involved in responding to policy consultations including the Strategic Policy
Statement consultation which was held in PAC in March.
David informed everyone that we had presented a position paper to the new Council Chief
Executives which led to further engagement, both individually as well as a joint meeting with all new
Chief Executives.
The RTPI President, Cath Ranson visited for 3 days. David said that a lot of organisation and work
goes into these visits and thanks everyone who helped out. Trudi Elliott, RTPI Chief Executive came
over and Dick Mackenzie was presented with Honorary Membership award by the President, Helen
Harrison also received an award in recognition of her longstanding membership of University of
Ulster Partnership Board.
Social events this year included a pub quiz, annual golf outing, Plan My City and the annual dinner.
David said that he had attended many external events as Chair and was honoured to have been
asked to present some awards.
David said that next year is a big year for Northern Ireland with RPA and the role of the Institute will
be ongoing throughout the transfer of powers. The new Chief Executives have welcomed RTPI’s
input and the branch will be active and involved in establishing new working relationships with the
new authorities.
David thanked DoE, PAC and various private sector in terms of support and sponsorship for events.
Thank you also to QUB and UUJ for their support. David thanked the Committee for their hard work
this year, Michael McQuiston and Angela Wiggam are stepping down from Committee, David
thanked them for their contribution and wished Neil and the new committee the best of luck for next
year. Thank you to Lisa Copeland for covering for Claire during her maternity leave and thank you to
Claire Williamson, Roisin Willmott and Julie Sullivan for their support and hard work, which David
said is important to the role of Chair.
In conclusion David said that it has been a busy yet productive year but he has enjoyed it, and that it
is an important time for Planning in Northern Ireland.
4.
NI Director’s Report
Roisin Willmott gave a brief report and said that the Committee have done a lot of hard work this
year and that it has been noticed in Botolph Lane. Roisin thanked David for being Chair and said
thank you to members for being patient and supporting RTPI during this important year of changes in
Northern Ireland.
5.
Honorary Treasurer’s Report
Roisin Willmott reported on the branch’s financial situation. Roisin said that the final figures are not
in as yet but all is balanced and next year’s budget has been approved.
6.
Policy Officer Report
Claire Williamson reported on the policy consultations that the branch has responded to this year
and thanked Lisa Copeland for her hard work during her absence. Claire thanked the Committee for
their support, especially those on the policy group. Policy Consultations can be found on the
website.
7.
Election of Officers and Committee Members
Committee members in post until AGM 2015:
Lee Hannigan
Mary MacIntyre
Gemma Jobling
David Brown
Catherine McKinney
The following nominations were received, duly proposed and seconded:Chair
Neil Dunlop
Committee Member:
Senior Vice Chair
Jenny Mawhinney
Committee Member:
Junior Vice Chair
Beverley Stevenson
Committee Member:
Ex-officio
David Mounstephen
Committee Member:
Hon. Secretary
Kim Boal
Committee Member:
Hon. Treasurer
Helen Harrison
Student Member:
Gen. Assembly Rep
David Worthington
Student Member:
Deputy GA Rep:
Diana Thompson
Gavan Rafferty
Mark Emerson
Judith Winters
Carol Ramsey
Karen Blair
Conor Auld
Vacant
There was no requirement for a ballot so all were duly elected.
8.
Incoming Chair
Neil Dunlop said that we have a busy year ahead with big changes in planning and that RTPI need
to be in the middle of the changes. We intend to produce three good events as per last year. Neil
said that we have our Talking Heads project ongoing which will hopefully be ready by March and a
review of the Sustainable Planning Awards which will recognise past winners. Neil said our main
focus next year is to promote positive aspects of planning to Councillors.
Neil congratulated David for a successful past year.
9.
Members Suggestions for 2015
Arthur Acheson informed AGM of the Europe for Citizen’s Project – a meeting of five towns in June
with six nations coming together. Arthur said that it would be good for the RTPI to be involved, with
six different organisations.
A suggestion was made for a shared event with Young Planners and Young Urbanists.
Helen Harrison suggested we look at running the Plan my City again. Judith Winters is taking it to a
Primary School and Claire Williamson has been considering taking it to the north west (Playhouse,
Derry) both as trials. Claire Williamson said that we have created a brand and it was more
successful than we thought it would be. Diana Thompson suggested using Joanne Mathers money
for it. Belfast Healthy Cities are great for resources and Claire Williamson said that a partners
meeting would be held at the start of the year to discuss moving this forward.
Roisin Willmott informed members that we are sending out a Member Survey to look at how we do
things and what members get out of the RTPI.
Carol Ramsey wanted to commend RTPI on the Horizons Paper. Carol said it was a great success.
Roisin said that RTPI are keen that the paper is used.
10.
Any other Business
Helen Harrison thanked John Turner for many year administering the Mathers Account – Committee
agreed.
11.
Roisin Willmott – Walk around Wales presentation
Roisin gave background and presented her slides on her Walk around Wales.
12.
Close
David Mounstephen thanked everyone for coming and closed the AGM.