GROUP CIRCULAR 942
To: All Attending the 2023 Annual September 2023
General Meeting (AGM)
Dear Colleagues and Guests,
Final details for 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
The following information will be of use for all those attending the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM).
In accordance with the preferences received from Groups and Branches, CSPA HQ has booked rooms at the Chesford Grange Hotel and ordered the menu choices for the AGM Dinner.
All sessions of the AGM will be held in the KENILWORTH SUITE of the Chesford Grange Hotel; the AGM Dinner will also be held in the KENILWORTH SUITE on the evening of Wednesday 11 October 2023.
Transport Arrangements from and to Coventry Rail Station
CSPA has arranged transport for delegates and others attending the AGM to and from Coventry Rail Station. A mini-bus shuttle service will be departing from the station for the Chesford Grange Hotel at 11.00am, and 12.30pm on Wednesday 11 October 2023. If you require this service but have not yet booked your place for one of the departure times, please contact CSPA HQ urgently on 020 8688 8418 to do so, but please bear in mind that CSPA HQ will be closed, before the AGM, from 5.00pm on 09 October 2023.
Mike Lawler (Secretary, Organisation) will attend Coventry Rail Station, armed with a clipboard and standing in a prominent position near the exit from the main ticket hall to direct colleagues to the minibus. Lifts are available on every platform at Coventry Rail Station, so that those with cases and bags will not have to carry them up and down stairs. If you need to contact him, Mike Lawler’s mobile phone number is 07885 479594. If you will be arriving at Coventry Rail Station after 12.30pm, you will need to take a taxi to the Hotel, sharing, if possible, with others attending the AGM. You may claim the cost of the taxi on your expenses claim form. Those travelling to the Hotel on Tuesday 10 October 2023 will also need to take taxis, again, sharing whenever possible.
The AGM concludes at 3.00pm on Thursday 12 October 2023, a 53-seater coach has been booked and will be available to transport delegates, observers & guests to the Station at 3.15 pm, the coach will return to the hotel for a final departure to the Station at 4.00 pm.
Hotel details
Hotel policy is that rooms are available from 3.00pm; however, the Hotel has undertaken to do its best to ensure that bedrooms will be available on arrival, but much will depend on the number of guests they had the night before. If required, luggage storage will be available. The CSPA has secured assurances from the Hotel that there will be sufficient experienced staff on duty to ensure that check-in takes place with the minimum of delay.
The direct line for the Hotel is 01926 515112.
DEPARTURE All bedrooms need to be vacated by 11.00am on the day of departure. Again, luggage storage will be available if required.
CAR PARKING There is ample free car parking in the Hotel grounds.
CREDIT/DEBIT CARD FACILITIES If guests require credit/debit card facilities within the Hotel during their stay, a swipe of their card will be taken upon registration.
Registration for Delegates and Guests
Registration will take place on Wednesday from 10.30am in the KENILWORTH FOYER opposite the KENILWORTH SUITE. This is for all Delegates and Guests attending the AGM to pick up their Delegate Packs and Credentials. HQ Staff will be in attendance to assist and welcome you.
Seminar for New Delegates
A Seminar has been arranged, starting at 1.30pm on Wednesday 11 October 2023, for new delegates (and not so new delegates, if they wish), to provide a briefing on AGM procedures. David Luxton (Deputy General Secretary) will be taking new delegates through those procedures. The Seminar will finish at
1.50 pm, so that all are able to take their places for the formal start of the AGM. The seminar will be held in the DIRECTORS’ SUITE, situated on the floor above the KENILWORTH SUITE and accessed by a separate lift and stairs.
Videos & Photos
Please note that CSPA will have a professional photographer in attendance taking photos at the CSPA AGM on Wednesday 11 October, including at the AGM Dinner. This notice means that you have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the AGM.
Your entry and presence on the event premises constitute your consent to be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction of all recorded media of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity in connection with the CSPA and its initiatives, including, by way of example only, use on websites, in social media, news and advertising. Images will be stored securely, and we will archive them after they are no longer needed for publicity purposes.
Note – please call HQ or email us at enquiries@cspa.co.uk should you wish to withdraw your consent to the above at any time.
Stands
The following stands will be on display at the AGM:
| CSPA Charity for Civil Servants (CfCS) | HQ staff will be on hand to deal with enquiries at the registration desk. Hannah Morris from the CfCS will be present to promote its services. |
RNLI Pauline Smart from the RNLI will be available to provide details of the current work of The Lifeboat Fund and the RNLI and sell branded merchandise.
Fred Olsen Rachael Jones from the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines will be present to promote its services to our members.
Disability Rights UK Stephen Brookes MBE, Rail Policy Adviser, Disability Rights UK will have a stall on Wednesday to offer delegates advice about their important work and how support can be accessed.
Independent Age George Stanbury and Joshua Murray will be on hand to provide information about their campaigns and research.
Civil Service Wendy Hilder and Ann Pelaez will be on hand to
Insurance Society answer any queries about our Travel, Home and Car
(CSIS) insurance offers.
Advisors Available
The following CSPA business partners will be making themselves available to advise and assist delegates during the course of the AGM –
Affinity Resolutions Our Data Protection & Privacy advisors, Bernard Seymour and Suzanne Lurie, will be on hand to answer any enquiries and provide delegates with any advice they may need in this regard.
Guest Speakers
You will see that the agenda makes provision for guest speakers.
The Chair will call guest speakers to speak when appropriate opportunities & openings arise during the conduct of the business of the AGM.
The AGM’s speakers this year will be –
Angela Saunders
Director of Fundraising
Lifeboat Fund
If you would like to help the Lifeboat Fund reach this year’s Appeal goals in aid of the chosen RNLI priority projects (in London, Whitby, Blackpool, Stonehaven and Tanzania) you can go to the JustGiving Fundraising page set up on behalf of the CSPA Lifeboat Fund Appeal here – link to the CSPA’s Lifeboat Fund Fundraising page. Further information is attached to this circular.
Stella Humphreys MCIPR
2015 Remedy Programme Stakeholder Manager
Civil Service & Royal Mail Pensions – Cabinet Office
Stella will be speaking about the McCloud Remedy Consultation Response and the next phase of engagement with those impacted as it commences. Members of the scheme who are affected will receive letters outlining their individualised options. You can view the timeline and other information here – https://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/news/2015-remedy
Stella and her colleagues were panel members at the two CSPA webinars held earlier in the year, and two further webinars are planned to take place in November.
George Stanbury
Campaigns Manager
Independent Age
George will update us on their campaign for a Commissioner for Older People and Ageing in England and Scotland. You can find their campaign document on their website at www.independentage.org and we attach an electronic copy to the emailed version of this circular for ease. The CSPA is one of over 70 organisations that signed up in March 2023 to work with Independent Age, Age UK, the NPC, and others on this important campaign.
List of Group Delegates, Representatives and Guests
Enclosed with this Circular, you will find copies of the list of the delegates, sponsored representatives, observers, and guests who will be attending the AGM, for your information and so that you are able to contact friends & colleagues, if appropriate.
First Aid Cover
The CSPA has arranged for a representative from First Aid Cover Ltd to be present during all sessions of the AGM to assist with any emergencies.
AGM Dinner
All attending will be asked to make their way to the AGM Dinner in the KENILWORTH SUITE on Wednesday 11 October 2023 at 7.45pm for an 8.00pm start.
You will find enclosed a copy of the centrally allocated placements for the AGM Dinner for all those who will be attending.
A selection of wine will be included with the dinner. Further drinks can be purchased from the bar.
The After-Dinner informal business will consist of a raffle, with prizes kindly donated by Parliament Hill and Fred Olsen Cruises. Each guest will find a pink raffle ticket at their table place.
Tuesday Evening Dinner
For those staying over on the Tuesday evening, a private buffet dinner will be served in the AVON ROOM, between 7.00pm and 11.00pm. These meals will be included in the cost of the package agreed with the Hotel. You will, however, need to purchase your own drinks.
Anyone staying on the Thursday evening will need to make their own arrangements and pay the hotel directly.
Breakfast
Breakfast will be served each morning between 6.30am and 10.00am in the RIVER ROOM.
Buffet Lunches
Buffet lunches will be served on both Wednesday and Thursday in the RIVER ROOM between 12.30pm and 13.15pm.
Expenses and Claims
Pleasescan or photocopy the AGM Expenses Claim form and receipts and send them by email to M.Sparham@cspa.co.uk or alternatively, post them to –
FREEPOST RTRX-RKUY-SELT, CSPA, Grosvenor House, 125 High Street, Croydon CR0 9XP; marking the envelope “AGM Expenses”.
Payment will be made by bank transfer. Completed forms with receipts may also be handed to the National Treasurer or HQ staff at the AGM, but no payments will be made at the AGM.
Problems
In the unlikely event that you may have any problems with the Hotel’s accommodation and/or services, you should direct any such concerns to Marion McAuliffe (HQ Office Manager), who will be acting as CSPA’s official liaison with the hotel management.
I hope that all those attending the AGM have a good journey to Kenilworth and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the AGM.
Copies of the Supplementary Standing Orders Committee (SOC) Report No. 1 will be made available to all delegates at the start of the AGM.
If you have any questions or require any further information about the matters covered by this Group Circular, please don’t hesitate to contact me, either by email at sally.tsoukaris@cspa.co.uk or by telephone on 020 8688 8418 (Office)/07827 291 073 (Mobile).
Yours sincerely
Sally Tsoukaris
General Secretary
Civil Service Pensioners’ Alliance
Tel: 020 8688 8418