back to menuA well attended AGM approved Edinburgh's proposal for a standard telephone billing system that will allow consumers to compare suppliers. Also agreed was the resolution that NfCG should continue discussions with Consumer Congress towards a merger.
This year London University's Connaught Hall was the venue for the NfCG Annual General Meeting. Compared with the wonderful conference in York last year this was, of necessity, a lower key affair but it was well attended and with important matters to discuss.
It was also Marie Jennings' last official duty before she stood down as Chairman, having completed a most stimulating period in office, culminating in the creation of the Consumer Polity Institute and an office for NfCG. She would, no doubt, have liked to welcome our new Honorary Secretary, Stella Nicholas, but Stella still holds responsibilities with the National Association of Women's Clubs, of which she is Secretary, and duty called. Marie was able to welcome Kathy Liggins, the Assistant Secretary, who is already ensconced at the new office.
Arising from the meeting the Executive Committee will have to monitor events in the Genetically Modified Foods arena, which I am sure we would be doing anyway. The House of Lords reception was as successful as the inaugural one last year and Marie was very pleased to announce that the Lifetime Achievement Award, voted by members, had been presented to Dame Rachel Waterhouse at the reception; the perfect recipient
Lady Wilcox was unanimously elected President for a further term. Her continuing support and encouragement are much appreciated. A surprised Marie Jennings learned that her name had been added to the list of nominated Vice Presidents (happily there was a vacancy) but allowed it to go forward, saying she was honoured to do so.
Roy Bisson is now our new Chairman. He explained at the meeting that while Esther Rose was happy to be Assistant Treasurer and continue her essential work in that role there was an unfulfilled vacancy for Honorary Treasurer. It was agreed to await the outcome of the Consumer Congress discussions.
Group representatives - Dick Mackie (Scotland), Richard Townshend (North and Midlands), Moyra Haynes (Central), Stuart Coverley (South of Thames), Geoffrey Woodroffe (South), and Richard Corless (South West).
Individual Member representatives - Lindsey Squire, and Margaret Williams.
Retirements were Sylvia Blandford, Shirley Read-Smith and Helena Twist.
Honorary Secretary Stella Nicholas
Assistant Treasurer Esther Rose and
Consumer News Editor John Brown
also attend Executive Committee meetings.
Edinburgh Consumer Group proposed that "this meeting urges OFTEL to place a requirement on all telephone service providers to provide a summary on each account issued to domestic customers of their main call usage and timing to enable them to make a reasonably accurate cost comparison with the tariffs of other providers". The resolution was adopted, though not unanimously, but it was left to the Executive Committee to draw up a form of words with which to put the matter before the Regulator.
The Executive Committee proposed that "this meeting authorises the NfCG Executive Committee to continue discussion with Consumer Congress and consultation with members of both organisations, with a view to establishing a joint organisation that fulfils both the present objectives of the Federation and those of the members of Consumer Congress.
"The final proposals from such discussions will be circulated to members of NfCG for approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting in accordance with the constitution".
This resolution brought forth plenty of discussion. Many present were wary that the outcome might result in the whole raison d'etre of NfCG being submerged in 'a bigger organisation. However, the need for a strong, independent, consumer organisation was also part of the argument. Should discussions prove fruitful, Roy Bisson undertook to put both sides of the matter before members at an EGM, and the resolution was adopted unanimously.
This important AGM was concluded by Marie Jennings making a personal presentation to Esther Rose to mark in a small way her considerable contribution as Honorary Treasurer. Then Roy Bisson made a presentation to Marie from the Executive Committee members, to mark her years as Chairman, which had been an interesting time for all.
Following the business part of the meeting Christina Burns gave a fascinating talk about her work as BBC Consumer Editor, and particularly of "You and Yours" on BBC Radio 4. "You and Yours" is required listening for anyone interested in consumer affairs and the talk was of compelling interest.
There were many questions on how the programme was made, how topics were chosen and others of interest, all of which she answered in detail. She was asked about repeat programmes. So many topics are aired on this programme which. impinge directly on our daily lives that to miss a programme is a disaster, yet at the moment there is no repeat. This was something that she was well aware of and she would see what could be done about it. Radio programme editors have a very busy life and we were particularly fortunate that Christina was prepared to give up a valuable Saturday morning to talk to us.
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