CHINNOR ALLOTMENT & GARDEN
ASSOCIATION ESTABLISHED Circa. 1840
Draft Minutes, Annual General Meeting, 29th January 2026
Venue: Methodist Church, Station Road, Chinnor,
- The secretary welcomed members to the meeting
- Introduction of Chair, this was interrupted by a member who objected to Jim More, Southern Regional deputy representative, as not being unbiased. The NAS being a limited in company. (In fact it is a co-operative registered under the Industrial & Provident Societies Acts no. 11144R) A member proposed a vote of no confidence in the Chair, seconded by another member. This was put to a vote. Two people supported the motion, 16 voted against and there were 2 abstentions. The meeting proceeded.
- Apologies were received from John Higginson, John Paton, Rebecca Thurston, John Wilson. Twenty-eight people attended. There were five non-voting members present including the meeting Chair.
Jim More (JM) set the framework for the meeting.
- The interims chair report was taken as read. The meeting chair commented that it recorded the Committees achievements.
- Sandy Russell presented the accounts for 2023 -2024.
Acceptance of accounts, proposer Maureen Dyroff, seconder John Hudson, votes For 19, against 0, abstentions 4. The Accounts were accepted.
Maureen Dyroff thanked Sandy for all her hard work as Treasurer. She has been a very active and enthusiastic committee member and we will miss her. She was presented with a rose on behalf of the plot holders.
- SR then presented the financial report for 2024 – 2025
- Election of Simon Kearey as examiner of accounts for 2024- 2025
Proposed by Alan Brawn, seconded by John Hudson votes For 22, Against 0, Abstentions 1. The motion was carried.
- Nominations from the floor for the committee. JM explained that the Committee needed more members and officers in order to continue to manage the site effectively. Job shares are a possibility e.g. chair and vice chair, treasurer and bookkeeper, use of an electronic accounting package. It was pointed out that if we didn’t have the officers there was a chance that the Chinnor Parish Council may take over running the site. Rentals could increase to cover management costs. There were comments about the risks of the land being sold. No one stepped forward.
- The election of Committee Members was taken first. Those standing for election are Maureen Dyroff and Jackie Gunn, Margaret Lambert, Chris McGuire. The election of all four was proposed by Linda Brawn, and seconded by Mike Ibbett. For 21 votes, against 0, abstentions 3. The members were duly elected.
- Election of Chair, treasurer and secretary. No one stepped forward for the roles of chair or treasurer.
Margaret Lambert stood as secretary and was accepted. A vote was not taken.
- New Constitution. JM explained that the Constitution had been circulated in 2025 prior to the October date for the AGM. Comments had been received by the committee and are included in Q&A document. In addition, JM had sent all documents to the NAS legal advisor who had made a suggested altering Rule 9. It was decided to vote on the constitution as presented to the members and the Committee would consider all the comments made, amend the constitution then circulate it to all members in a track change format so amendments can be easily identified for another vote. Probably at a special general meeting before the next AGM in October. Jeanette Hyland proposed the Acceptance of the constitution with the above caveats and John Hudson seconded the motion. Votes for 17, Against 2, Abstentions 5. The constitution was accepted.
- Vote to approve the New Rules. As with the Constitution, plot members had made comments as had the NAS legal advisor. Jeanette Hyland proposed that the rules be accepted with the conditions set for the constitution. This was seconded by Mandy Clark. Votes For 16, Against 6, Abstentions 2. The proposal was accepted.
- Vote to approve the Code of Conduct. No comments had been provided by members or NAS.
Acceptance proposed by John Hudson and seconded by John Lancaster Votes for 19, Against 1, Abstentions 1. The code of conduct was accepted.
The Environmental and Safeguarding policies were also put to the vote. No comments had been received for either.
Mike Ibbett proposed that the environmental policy be accepted and this was seconded by Alan Brawn. Votes For 20, Against 1, abstentions 1. The policy was accepted.
Safeguarding Policy – it was noted that a Designated Safeguarding Officer is required. No one stepped forward to undertake this role. Mike Ibbett proposed accepting the policy and this was seconded by Jackie Gunn. Votes For 18, Against 1, Abstentions 1. The policy was accepted.
- No motions were proposed.
- Votes of thanks. Maureen Dyroff thanked the committee for their hard work and reiterated that the views of and ideas proposed by the members would be taken into account.
Maureen also thanked Andrew Robinson, past interim chair, and Will for their hard work in maintaining the site and transforming the shop. Maureen also thanked Andrew for stepping up as interim Chair and his commitment. Andrew had also been preparing health and safety and fire risk assessments. The committee will get these done.
The meeting closed. Several people left early which is why voting numbers may appear inconsistent.
Margaret Lambert thanked Jim for chairing the meeting.
Jim More then gave a brief presentation on the benefits to individual members of CAGA being a member of the NAS.
Members can access the NAS site using the Login S682a password 9016404. Where there is lots of useful information and offers.
To buy Kings seeds at the preferential (40% discount) contact me and I’ll set you up with your own account.