MINUTES OF THE 15th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

OF BRIDPORT AREA DEVELOPMENT TRUST

Held at Bridport Town Hall on the 24th November 2025 at 6pm

Also see the AGM Agenda below. Note that the presentations and financial reports papers referred to in the Minutes will be on the Trust’s website: https://www.bridportadt.org.uk/category/news-events/

Present

Directors (Trustees)

Michael Collard, Ian Bark, Andrew Cook, Ian Johnson (Treasurer), David Lee, John West, Marek Wakar (Secretary).

Jonathan Bourbon (Bridport Town Council Observer).

Other Members

Vince O’Farrell, Tim Crabtree, Phyllida Culpin, Sarah West, Amanda Streatfeild.

  1. Apologies for absence

Trevor Ware 

  1. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at 6pm on Thursday 14th of November 2024 at Bridport Town Hall.

The 2024 minutes were accepted as a correct record of the meeting. 

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

  1. Report on the West Bay Discovery Centre (WBDC) and the Literary and Scientific Institute (LSi), (slides will be available on the Trust’s website)

Discovery Centre: as was reported at last year’s AGM, the WBDC was transferred to the Bridport Communities Trust during the 2024/5 financial year. John West announced that, having stated his intention at the last AGM to resign at an appropriate date, he would be retiring as a trustee at this meeting. Phyllida Culpin and Vince O’Farrell moved a motion to thank John for all of his (and Sarah West’s) work to make the WBDC such a success, and for John’s overall contribution to the running of the Trust. 

Literary & Scientific Institute: Andrew Cook gave an update. Although the major flood was in October 2024, repairs have still not been completed: mainly due to delays by the loss adjuster, but also due to listed building consents. In addition, BADT is looking to deal with the root cause of the problem, which is an expense for the Trust rather than the insurer. Historic England have helped with an architect condition report for the loss adjuster discussions and BADT are submitting a funding request to the National Lottery Heritage Fund 

  1. Annual Report and Accounts

Ian Johnson presented the 2024/5 Report and Accounts, which had been circulated before the meeting. 

There was a small overall deficit for this year, which includes pert-year contribution from the WBDC and from Gillinghams as an LSi tenant (who left in September 2024). Until the flood repairs are complete we cannot re-let the Gillinghams space and reserves will be gradually depleted.

Resolution 1: The Report and Accounts were accepted by the meeting (proposed by Andrew Cook and seconded by Michael Collard; all in favour).

  1. Election of trustees: Marek Wakar retired by rotation and was re-appointed by a unanimous vote of the meeting (proposed by Michael Collard and seconded by Ian Johnson).

Resolution 2: To re-elect the following Director (Trustee) who will retire at this meeting by rotation: Marek Wakar.

  1. Resolutions and Questions from Members

There were no resolutions from Members.

At the last meeting a resolution had been passed about considering the sale or transfer of the LSi. The trustees updated the meeting on progress, in particular the interest by the Bridport Museum and their plans to undertake a more detailed study of suitability.

Vince O’Farrell and Tim Crabtree asked whether any changes had been made to the Mem & Arts. The Company Secretary confirmed that there had been no changes since 2017.  

The meeting then closed. 

 

AGENDA FOR THE 15th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

OF BRIDPORT AREA DEVELOPMENT TRUST

To be held at Bridport Town Hall on the 24th of November 2025 at 6 pm.

  1. Apologies for Absence.
  2. Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on Thursday 14th of November 2024 at Bridport Town Hall. To accept the 2024 AGM Minutes as a correct record of the Meeting.
  3. Reports: Summary of the Year.
  4. Presentation of the 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts.
    Resolution 1: To accept the Directors’ Report and Annual Accounts.
  5. Election and Re-Election of Directors (Trustees).

Resolution 2: To re-elect the following Director (Trustee) who will retire at this meeting by rotation: Marek Wakar.

  1. Discussion of Any Other Resolutions Proposed by Members.
  1. Close of Meeting.

Members of the charity have the right to appoint a proxy to represent them and vote on their behalf at the 2025 AGM in accordance with section 324 of the Companies Act 2006 and article 14 of the Articles of Association of the charity. Nominated representatives of organisations that are members may vote without the need to be appointed as proxies. If there has been a change in the nominated representative, it is requested that a written confirmation of nomination is presented to the secretary before the meeting.

Any questions relating to the Agenda and the Resolutions proposed should be directed to the Company Secretary through the Trust email address. mail@bridportadt.org.uk at least 7 days in advance of the Meeting.