Cycling UK AGM 2024

[PhilHallCOO]

Hi forum members.

For those that don’t know me, I’m Phil Hall, Chief Operating Officer, for Cycling UK and I wanted to post a short update in preparation for the 2024 AGM as members will shortly be receiving their latest edition of Cycle magazine containing the ballot paper and voting details. For anyone who has opted-out of receiving the magazine you'll receive a separate letter and details of this year's resolutions.

All members will have also been notified by email about the proposed resolutions in this year’s AGM.

We wanted to make sure that everyone on the forum has the relevant links and detail around the rationale for the changes. After our engagement with a number of members, experts and the wider cycling community, the Board of Trustees are putting forward a range of resolutions at the Cycling UK AGM this year alongside some valuable member proposed motions. These changes mean that together, we can attract new people to cycling and secure a sustainable future for Cycling UK, to successfully deliver our recently launched 5-year strategy.

If you have any questions, we’ll be holding a special online Q&A session with trustees at the beginning of September. You can also find out more on our AGM 2024 page.

Thank you for reading and for your engagement on this important topic.

Kind regards
Phil Hall
Cycling UK, Chief Operating Officer

[AllRides]

I notice there were previous threads on the 2023 AGM and assume this is the best place to discuss the 2024 AGM proposals.

I'm particularly interested in how the Ordinary Resolutions were arrived at: Not that I particularly disagree (rather, I vehemently agree with the 'accessible to all' resolution!). Was anyone involved?

(I'm aware a Q&A is scheduled, but thought there might be an interest in discussing on this forum)

[AstaHR]

Having read through all the 2024 AGM paperwork sent to members and the various related articles in the latest edition of 'Cycle', I feel like many of my fellow lifetime cyclists that CUK is becoming more exclusive rather than inclusive. We white, able-bodied hetrosexual males and females of modest means are not represented by CUK. Some of the proposed changes continue to reduce the power of members to influence the direction of our once-loved club. The outrageous claim that CUK is celebrating its 145 birthday is just another attempt to obliterate the CTC legacy and culture. I'm not surprised that successive CUK CEO's and Chair of Trustees have both failed to engage with a majority of members or build a strong affinity with them such that they understand, support and accept its mission, aims and values. Surely, even the CEO and Chair must question their own leadership style and capability when they can't get a significant number of 71,000 members to come forward as Trustees and instead of addressing that issue, seek to change the rules.

[Jdsk]

Having read through all the 2024 AGM paperwork sent to members and the various related articles in the latest edition of 'Cycle', I feel like many of my fellow lifetime cyclists that CUK is becoming more exclusive rather than inclusive. We white, able-bodied hetrosexual males and females of modest means are not represented by CUK.
...

Please could you give a couple of examples of what you have in mind.

Thanks

Jonathan

[gaz]

I'm not surprised that successive CUK CEO's and Chair of Trustees have both failed to engage with a majority of members or build a strong affinity with them such that they understand, support and accept its mission, aims and values.

In recent years the Trustees have engaged with the membership over our conversion to a Charity and the change of brand to Cycling UK. History tells us that the mission and values behind these changes were understood, supported and (or at the very least) accepted by the majority of our diverse membership.

Why do you believe they have failed to engage?

[AstaHR]

Diminishing numbers of willing volunteers
Member turnout to vote 3-4% of 71,000 members
Increasing difficulty in persuading a significant number CUK's membership of 71,000 to seek election as Trustees.

[gaz]

Diminishing numbers of willing volunteers

Volunteer numbers are not the easiest thing to extract from annual reports as reporting is incosistent but I'll give it a go.
2018-21 - 6,663 p28
2021-22 - 5,850 (5000 MG&AG p23 +850 sundry projects p24)
2022-23 - 8,281 p24
2023-24 - 8,762 (3.321 MG p23, 4,484 AG p24 +957 direct volunteers p24)
The 2021-22 figure may be down to incomplete reporting. Even if it is not, the trend in volunteer numbers is upward.

Member turnout to vote 3-4% of 71,000 members

A respectable turnout according to a former Trustee, who explains why here.

Increasing difficulty in persuading a significant number CUK's membership of 71,000 to seek election as Trustees.

To counter that I have nothing but anecdote, it really wasn't that different in the past. In my time as a CTC member, I can recall numerous Councillors elected to their constituencies "unopposed" or on extremely low turnouts and a few vacancies on Council because nobody wished to stand in their area.

[Philip Benstead]

I'm not surprised that successive CUK CEO's and Chair of Trustees have both failed to engage with a majority of members or build a strong affinity with them such that they understand, support and accept its mission, aims and values.

In recent years the Trustees have engaged with the membership over our conversion to a Charity and the change of brand to Cycling UK. History tells us that the mission and values behind these changes were understood, supported and (or at the very least) accepted by the majority of our diverse membership.

Why do you believe they have failed to engage?

None of the current trustees were either CTC/CUK trustee members or CTC members when the above changes took place.

I addition the changes were brought about by being economic with the truth, eg election of trustees.

[AllRides]

For what it's worth, my view is that CyclingUK has been quite inclusive of members (things like weekly email surveys, which I think have died a death now) and I certainly attended a focus group on the strategy several months back. Most of the volunteer positions are in England (due to funding no doubt) so not much use to me.

I've said elsewhere about the disconnect between local group membership and CyclingUK membership. It definitely feels like there are two cohorts of members -those who err towards leisure cycling in branded kit and those who err towards cycle advocacy. I can imagine getting a balance in terms of strategy, and trustees, is challenging!

Being a trustee is a big commitment, particularly one drawn from the membership (who, looking at the constitution, is not there to represent the membership directly but a 'normal' trustee focused on the charity objectives) but I have to say the changes to selection of is probably the one I find the most thought-provoking.

[gaz]

The results are up, all resolutions were carried.

The power to set future membership rates now lies solely with our Trustees, our AoA no longer allow for Polls of the Whole Club.

[Philip Benstead]

The results are up, all resolutions were carried.

The power to set future membership rates now lies solely with our Trustees, our AoA no longer allow for Polls of the Whole Club.

I surgest you look at the 2006 company act. In it gives provision for a poll of shareholders. Unfortunley you need 5/10% of shareholder to trigger a poll.

Well members are ripping the benefits of being a charity.

[Jdsk]

The results are up, all resolutions were carried.

The power to set future membership rates now lies solely with our Trustees, our AoA no longer allow for Polls of the Whole Club.

My emboldening.

Please could you quote or point to where this is forbidden.

Thanks

Jonathan

[gaz]

One of the amendments to our AoA approved by members at the AGM, set out in the tracked changes version of the documents circulated with the voting papers.

Article 13 - Deleted

[Jdsk]

Thankyou

Where are the new AoA, please?

Jonathan

[gaz]

Link to the amendments document as issued with the AGM papers.

I cannot find a clearer version of the updated AoA on the Cycling UK website.