BMC Publish Report of the Independent Organisational Review Group

© Rob Greenwood - UKC

The findings of the BMC's Independent Organisational Review Group (ORG) were announced at Kendal Town Hall on Saturday 18th November. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Kendal Mountain Festival this was a major event for many, with the report and its findings - which had been conducted completely independently - being a total unknown to both staff and membership alike. Considering the wide reaching and all-encompassing nature of the review, there was certainly a lot of speculation and anticipation about what their recommendations were.

Rab Carrington (left) and ORG Chair Ray Wigglesworth (right)   © Rob Greenwood - UKC
Rab Carrington (left) and ORG Chair Ray Wigglesworth (right)
© Rob Greenwood - UKC

The ORG was setup to "look at the way the BMC currently works – in terms of organisation, governance, and decision-making structures – and evaluate how this reflects current best practice in governance, whilst continuing to act in the best interests of the membership. The group will also recommend new ways to increase engagement and consultation with all BMC members on key issues".

Their findings come in two formats, the first (and more accessible) is a 20 page summary and the second (and more detailed) is the 40 page document, both can be found by clicking on the relevant reports below. Those short on time may prefer the one page summary of the key themes of the recommendations, plus the chart of the chart outlining the recommended organisational structure of the BMC, both of which are included beneath the two papers.

Key Themes

What happens next?

Local Area meetings are an opportunity to hear about the detail of the ORG report and ask questions (dates + venues outlined at the base of this article). The BMC's independent ORG understands that there's a huge amount of detail in the report, so you don't have to make any votes or decisions right away: this is just the start of the consultation period.

There'll be a member consultation survey launching this week, and emailed to all members, where individuals can express support or opposition to the recommendations and comment on specific sections. This will be run by 2020 Research, an independent market research company. This consultation will run until 22nd December.

Throughout the next month there'll also be Q&As, focus groups, and requests for written feedback. The ORG will present and take questions from National Council in early December. After Christmas the ORG review all the feedback gathered and look to make any changes, and add details to the recommendations where the ORG needs to, as well as to draft a new set of Articles of Association. After that there'll be another round of Local Area Meetings in late January, and a National Council Meeting in early February.

Anything the ORG proposes that requires changes to the Memorandum & Articles of Association (M&AA) will require the approval of 75% of those voting members present and attending (in person or by proxy) an AGM, and voting in favour, in order to be accepted. The BMC AGM is currently planned for the end of April.

Recommendations that don't require M&AA changes can be dealt with in other ways, again, potentially a vote at AGM. How that's dealt with will be able to be more detailed once initial feedback from the consultation is gathered.

The member consultation survey is available here.

North West
Date: Monday 20 November 2017, starting at 7.30pm (food from 7.00pm)
Venue: The Anderton Centre, New Road, Anderton, Chorley PR6 9HG
ORG presentation by: Rab Carrington and Ray Wigglesworth

Cymru South Wales
Date: Tuesday 21 November 2017, starting at 7.30pm (food from 7.00pm)
Venue: Up and Under, 490 Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF5 1BL
ORG presentation by: Fiona Sanders and Rebecca Ting

Cymru North Wales
Date: Wednesday 22 November 2017, starting at 7.00pm (food from 6.30pm)
Venue: Plas y Brenin, Capel Curig LL24 0ET
ORG presentation by: Rab Carrington and Rebecca Ting
Find out more on the BMC Local Areas site

Midlands
Date: Wednesday 22 November 2017, starting at 8.00pm
Venue: Old Edwardians Sports Club, Streetsbrook Road, Solihull B90 3PE
ORG presentation by: Fiona Sanders and Tim Strong

Peak
Date: Wednesday 22 November 2017, starting at 6.30pm (food from 6.00pm)
Venue: The Maynard, Main Road, Grindleford S32 2HE
ORG presentation by: John Roberts and Ray Wigglesworth

London & South East
Date: Thursday 23 November 2017, starting at 7.00pm
Venue: The Old King's Head, 45-49 Borough High St, London SE1 1NA
ORG presentation by: John Roberts and Matthew Bradbury

South West
Date: Saturday 25 November 2017, starting at 7.00pm
Venue: The Nova Scotia Hotel, Nova Scotia Place, Bristol BS1 6XJ
ORG presentation by: Fiona Sanders and Simon McCalla

Yorkshire
Date: Monday 27 November 2017, starting at 7.00pm
Venue: The Wheatley Arms, Wheatley Lane, Ben Rhydding LS29 8PP
ORG presentation by: Fiona Sanders and Rab Carrington

Lakes
Date: Wednesday 29 November 2017, starting at 7.30pm
Venue: Hawkshead Brewery, Mill Yard, Staveley LA8 9LR
ORG presentation by: John Roberts and Ray Wigglesworth

North East
Date: Thursday 30 November 2017, starting at 7.00pm
Venue: Honest Lawyer Hotel, Croxdale Bridge, Durham DH1 3SP
ORG presentation by: Fiona Sanders and Ray Wigglesworth
NOTE: change of venue, originally advertised as taking place at Durham Climbing Centre


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21 Nov, 2017
That bloke stood on the right of Rab Carrington looks like he cares as much as I do. This is news?
21 Nov, 2017
Loving the venue for the NE area meeting. 'The Honest Lawyer'......
21 Nov, 2017
Yep. It is. For everyone who cares about the BMC. For those who don't then 'pass along please; nothing to see here'.
21 Nov, 2017
That 'bloke' is the review chair, you muppet! If recommendations for reorganising the BMC isn't news on a UK climbing and hill walking website, its hard to think what is.
21 Nov, 2017
'pass along please; nothing to see here' - I think I will thanks (what I load of ....)
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