Notes of the Council meeting held on Sunday 16th September 2007 at St David’s Hall, Cardiff.
Present: Dr J H F Smith (Chair), Dr E Duvall, Mr N Dudding, Dr A Herbert, Dr M Desai, Dr N Anderson, Mr A Wilson (IBMS), Dr D Hemming, Dr G Kocjan, Ms J Bingham, Mr M Howard (NAC), Dr R Clarke, Dr A Chandra, Dr K Denton, Dr M Young, Dr T Giles.
Dr Duvall explained that he had not yet made progress with a formal contract with Jonah Jones but hoped to meet with Mr Williams to progress this in the near future.
Dr Desai reported that the HTA commissioned study would hopefully start this October. Several members of Council expressed concern that whilst they had volunteered their laboratories they had not yet heard whether they would be one of the sites. Dr Desai reported that she could access the list of laboratories and would inform all those that had been chosen to participate.
Dr Denton confirmed that the document had now been submitted to Cytopathology and would undergo formal peer review with a view to publication.
Dr Giles confirmed that the Exfoliative Cytology COP was now ready for publication. Council agreed that it should go back to the College and Dr Denton agreed to circulate it to members of the Cytopathology Sub-committee before the next meeting in October, after which it would be submitted for peer review.
Dr Smith confirmed that had written to Julietta Patnick regarding our concerns but to date had not received a reply.
Council were still concerned about the revised protocol, previously circulated. It was agreed that a member of Council should meet with Dr Waddell and Cullimore to address and resolve our concerns.
Mr Dudding reported that Ms Maggie Middleton had been the only volunteer for the post and had been duly elected.
Mr Dudding suggested that we also approach Mrs Middleton to act as a second representative to QUATE, vice Dr McGooghan. This was agreed.
Dr Anderson reported that the last financial year had generated a surplus of £2173, which was significantly less than for the previous year when a surplus of £19,600 was realised. The reduction in the surplus was almost entirely due to losses from the 2006 ASM.
Website costs and travel expenses were down, and the proposed contract with Wiley-Blackwell’s would boost finances in future years. Mr Dudding asked about the proposal to reduce the number of bank accounts. Dr Anderson confirmed that he now hoped to keep a small amount in a revenue account and move the remaining funds to a high interest account.
Dr Anderson reported that due to changes to the Charity Commission rules about auditing of accounts we could move to a full accountancy review of the finances rather than an annual formal audit. This would save around £2000 per annum. Dr Anderson felt that following the appointment of Ellis–Atkins this would be a safe move. Council agreed to this.
Dr Desai reported that 310 delegates had registered for the ASM and we should hopefully break even, with the chance of a small profit.
The 2008 ASM will be in Dublin on the 7-10th September.
It was likely that the 2009 meeting would be at The East Midlands Convention Centre in Nottingham.
This committee had not met since the last Council meeting. Mr Dudding pointed out that subject to ratification of his post as Vice Chairman at the AGM Dr Denton would need to seek a non medical member of Council to sit on the group. It was agreed to wait until after the new members of Council were known.
Ms Mather had sent a written report, which was read to Council. She had written to the regional representatives regarding our proposed changes to the sponsorship money for attendance at the ASM. Three had replied saying they thought it should stay as it was, one reporting that they used it as a lever for departments to hold a meeting and the person/ persons sponsored to attend the ASM gave feedback at the regional meeting.
Dr Kocjan tabled the publishers report and summarised the major points.
Dr Anderson detailed outline proposals from Wiley Blackwell. Council favoured the option which provided the BSCC with a better rate of return but would entail the BSCC paying for any extra publications such as the supplements.
Elizabeth Whelan from Wiley-Blackwell’s then joined the meeting. Dr Smith outlined our preferred option. Ms Whelan agreed to take this back to Wiley-Blackwell’s and feedback to Dr Smith as quickly as possible.
Dr Herbert had been the only applicant and would succeed Dr Kocjan on 1 January 2008. Dr Herbert paid tribute to Dr Kocjan for all her hard work over the previous six years. Elizabeth Whelan echoed these comments.
There had been four new applications for membership: Mrs Janice Palmer, Mr Mark Howard, Miss Christine Byrne and Dr Emma Maclean.
All were approved by Council.
Before closing the meeting Dr Smith thanked all the officers and members of Council for their industry, loyalty and support during the past year and specifically thanked Dr Herbert for her enormous contribution to the Society over many years and also specifically thanked those members who would be leaving Council at the ASM or before the next meeting – Dr Kocjan, Dr Hemming and Mrs Symonds.
Jonah Jones is a designer, programmer, film maker and photographer who specialises in the internet and usability. Jonah Jones