National Trust members vote in support of offering a 50% plant-based menu across Trust cafés

Members shared their views and voted on three resolutions, including whether to offer a minimum 50% plant-based menu across the Trust’s 300 food and beverage outlets. Other resolutions covered the Trust’s response to the climate and ecological emergency, and the Climate and Nature Bill, which has recently been brough forward as a Private Members' Bill. Resolutions are proposed, seconded and supported by National Trust members.

A summary of the results of resolutions voting is as follows:

Resolution 1. Members’ resolution about plant-based food choices at catering outlets – carried (57,498 for/ 20,111 against)

Resolution 2. Members’ resolution about strengthening the response to the climate and ecological emergency – carried (63,251 for / 13,866 against)

Resolution 3. Members’ resolution about the Climate and Nature Bill – carried (62,445 for, 13,747 against)

Full resolutions wording is available at https://documents.nationaltrust.org.uk/story/agm-2023/page/5

Trustees will consider the outcomes of the resolutions later this autumn before updating members.

René Olivieri, Chair of the National Trust's Board of Trustees, said: "I'm grateful to all members who took the time to join us at our AGM today, and to the thousands of others who have voted on resolutions and in our elections over the past few months. I always value this opportunity to talk with members and hear their views on our work and on what's important to them.

“As members heard today, this was our last AGM before we launch a new 10-year strategy in January. It provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on everything that the Trust and its supporters have achieved over the past decade and get ready for the next one. We’re looking forward to sharing more information about that soon.

“The Board of Trustees will now take some time to reflect on the outcomes of voting and we will be back in touch with members through our usual communications in the coming weeks.”

Members have also voted in the elections for the National Trust Council. The Council is the governing body which appoints trustees and helps to monitor and support their work. The Council is made up of 36 members who have a range of expertise in everything from education and agriculture to nature and the built environment. Half of Council members are appointed directly by members, and the other half by organisations with a vested interest in the work of the Trust. These organisations are known as appointing bodies and elections for appointing bodies are held every six years. This year, National Trust members voted to elect both individuals and appointing bodies to the Councils.

Following the vote, the members joining the Council are:

Nuthana Bhayankaram (42,736 votes, elected)

Sarah Green (43,251 votes, re-elected)

Min Grimshaw (42,324 votes, re-elected)

Mark Horton (43,243 votes, elected)

Sandy Nairne (42,667 votes, re-elected)

Joshua Rice (42, 087 votes, elected)

The appointing bodies elected are:

Action for Conservation - Elected

Council for British Archaeology (CBA) – Re-elected

English Heritage - Re-elected

Gardens Trust (The) - Elected

Historic Houses - Re-elected

Institute of Conservation (ICON) - Elected

Keep Britain Tidy - Elected

Marine Conservation Society - Elected

Museums Association - Re-elected

National Farmer’s Union of England and Wales (NFU) - Re-elected

Open Spaces Society - Re-elected

Ramblers - Re-elected

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)- Re-elected

RSPB - Re-elected

Soil Association - Re-elected

Sustrans - Elected

Wildlife Trusts (The) - Re-elected

World Heritage UK - Elected

Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “It’s been another busy and positive AGM and fantastic to be in Newcastle with many of our members. I’ve enjoyed hearing their ideas and celebrating the variety of work we’ve achieved with their support.

I’m also delighted that a record number of members applied to join our Council this year. The Council plays a really important role in our governance and so it’s important that its members reflect the full spectrum of the Trust’s work - from nature and land management to collections and conservation. I’m looking forward to working with the newly-elected members very soon.”

Questions from members ranged from the provision of access passes to the Trust’s banking arrangements, to the installation of EV charging points at National Trust places.

The results of Quick Vote were 53% for resolutions, 57% for Council elections and 50% for appointing bodies.

The full resolution results can be read here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/annual-general-meeting The complete day’s recording will be available shortly on the same page.