2024 AGM minutes

4. Members’ questions

• Member question from Mary

  It was reported that 70% of your staff were ‘progressive activists’ which suggested they were not patriotic. Were they the sort of people that should be looking after our history?

  Hilary McGrady, Director-General, assured members that the Trust’s staff and volunteers were the right people to care for the UK’s special places, they were passionate people who pushed the organisation to deliver its charitable purpose, and that was what had been meant by the statement.

• Member question from Simon

  What impact would the employer National Insurance rise have on the Trust’s finances?

  Tina Lews, Director of People, responded that the Trust was working through the implications of the recent budget announcement, to ensure it was sustainable for the Trust, and the increase in the National Living Wage had been welcomed.

• Member question from Caroline

  Why did the Trust make volunteering so difficult with its online tests?

  Tina Lewis, Director of People, apologised that the member had had this experience, and reflected that many volunteers valued the training; it was also important that there was a due diligence and training process.

• Member question from Yasin

  What did the Trust see as the biggest strategic issue facing the organisation in the next five years, and how would it be tackled?

  Hilary McGrady, Director-General, advised that the key strategic issues would be the focus of the Trust’s work over the next 10 years: the nature crisis and climate change, ending unequal access to nature, beauty and history and, on an operational level, managing the increasing cost challenges on the Trust.

• Member question from Peter

  Would the 10-year strategy address the over-reliance of visitors and volunteers arriving at properties by car

  Andy Beer, Director of Operations & Consultancy, said that, although there was a limit to what the Trust could do in terms of influencing people’s choice of travel modes, it was doing all it reasonably could to support green travel, which included rolling out a Cyclists Welcome programme.

• Member question from Robina

  Was there a plan to change the charity’s banking arrangements away from Barclays, when would this be actioned, and if not, why not, as it was necessary to turn the tide on the climate crisis?

  Dabinder Hutchinson, Director of Finance, confirmed that the Trust remained in active discussions with Barclays to influence change, and it was a matter of significant importance to the Trust’s Executive Team and Board of Trustees. Barclays’ recent decision to stop direct finance in fossil fuels had been welcomed.

• Member question from Sheila

  Had the Trust considered becoming a B Corp organisation?

  Jan Lasik, General Counsel & Secretary, said the Trust had considered B Corp as a legal entity and structure, but it was not suitable for the size of the organisation, the fact it was a membership organisation and because it was proud of its status as an independent charity.

• Member question from Annette

  Free passes were a great idea for helping people who were less affluent to access Trust places. What plans were in place to roll this out to engage more people?

  Celia Richardson, Director of Communications & Marketing, agreed that serving the entire nation was part of the Trust’s objective, and that raising awareness of the Trust was a key part of that. Free passes had been particularly targeted at younger people, and the Trust was also trying to reach this group via social media and marketing; the free passes would continue.

• Member question from Caroline

  What was the Trust’s view on the ratification of the UNESCO Treaty on Intangible Cultural Heritage? If the campaign to save the glassworks in Sunderland failed, 1,350 years of glassmaking in the town would end.

  John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Curation & Experience, replied that the Trust promoted history and heritage beyond its own places and was working with big national partners and local partners, including in Sunderland.

• Member question from Susan

  Did the Trust have an anti-livestock farming agenda, bearing in mind it was the largest farm owner in the UK?

  Harry Bowell, Director of Land & Nature, confirmed this was not the case and that livestock farming, and appropriate grazing of livestock, was fundamental to the Trust.

• Member question from Richard

  What was the National Trust doing about water companies and discharge of raw sewage?

  Harry Bowell, Director of Land & Nature, said the Trust was working with the government around tightening legislation and was also supporting projects on the ground, such as the Riverlands Project, since 40% of UK rivers flowed through National Trust land.

• Member question from Karen

  Would the Trust finally be getting rid of zero-hour contracts?

  Tina Lewis, Director of People, explained the Trust used zero-hour contracts as appropriate, for instance of seasonal staff, and did so in a responsible way, allowing these staff to still accrue benefits. When staff moved to routine hours, the Trust worked with them to offer permanent contracts.

• Member question from Brian

  What were the plans for electric charging points at properties?

  Andy Beer, Director of Operations & Consultancy, said that the Trust had installed nine places with charging points, and a further 80 were in the pipeline over the next 12–18 months.

• Member question from Andrew

  When would the Trust reopen multiple entrances to Clumber Park, to allow members to explore more of the park?

  Andy Beer, Director of Operations & Consultancy, stated there was no intention of reopening former entrances where cars could drive everywhere around the park. The site had become much busier in recent years and this was not considered the right way to manage traffic and parking.

• Member question from Fiona

  How proactive would the charity be in seeking new partnerships across local communities, and how would it sustain them?

  Andy Beer, Director of Operations & Consultancy, reflected that partnerships depended on a genuine convergence of interests and in being precise about what different parties would deliver. Partnerships would continue to be a growing part of the Trust’s work.

• Member question from David

  The Managing Director of Civica had been reported as saying that Civica gave advice to the National Trust only on the practicalities of the Quick Vote and not on the principle of whether a Quick Vote should be introduced. Was that correct? Had Trustees considered the proposal that there should now be a referendum of all members without using the Quick Vote to see if it should continue?

  Jan Lasik, General Counsel & Secretary, advised that Quick Vote had been introduced following member feedback, having taken advice from Civica Election Services and that the decision to put Quick Vote in place resided with the Board of Trustees and Council. The Charity Commission, as the Trust’s regulator, was content with the use of Quick Vote as a voting methodology. The advice from Civica was that large membership organisations regularly used Quick Vote as a voting mechanism. Quick Vote had been debated and voted on by members at the 2023 AGM. The Trust’s Parliamentary Scheme gave the Board discretion not to take a resolution forward if it has been considered at the AGM in the past three years, so for that reason a resolution on Quick Vote could not come forward again until 2027.

• Member question from Judith

  Could the National Trust be part of educating the wider public about how to achieve carbon net zero?

  John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Curation & Experience, confirmed that this was a central part of the charity’s plans in the new strategy period, to inspire others and involve young people.

• Member question from Tom

  What co-operation was there between the National Trust and the Wildlife Trust to secure the purchase of the Rothbury Estate and in the management of an integrated facility with Cragside?

  Harry Bowell, Director of Land & Nature, advised the Wildlife Trust had launched a fundraising campaign to support the purchase. The Trust was working with them and other potential partners. It was an exciting opportunity to create a landscape that was truly outstanding for nature, climate and access.

• Member question from Zewditu

  Why was the National Trust trying to obfuscate matters of governance which were important to members, and if the Quick Vote did not skew voting results, why had it been introduced? Concerns had been raised in a recent report by the Legatum Institute, supported by Sir William Proby, and the Charity Commission had discussed this report with the Trust. Additionally, when was the Trust going to release information to members that next year was to be the last in-person AGM?

  Jan Lasik, General Counsel & Secretary, highlighted that Trust members were free to vote how they chose, which included not using the Quick Vote. A recent article in the Telegraph with comments from Sir William Proby had included factual inaccuracies about the Trust’s governance processes, which had been corrected and a retraction made by the newspaper. The Trust had proactively engaged with the Charity Commission on governance matters, and the Commission, as the Trust’s regulator, had confirmed it was content with the Trust’s use of the Quick Vote. The Trust’s next AGM was to be held in Swindon in 2025 and the Board of Trustees had not made any decision with regard to ceasing in-person AGMs.

• Member question from Janet

  Please could there be more diversity in Trust cafés, with property-specific recipes, and alternatives to pastries and cake. What happened to surplus food?

  Sharon Pickford, Director of Support & Revenue, reassured members that food waste was managed very well and was minimal, with 80% of food made on site. As a result of this, the Trust knew what sort of recipes visitors liked. The Trust cookbook contained over 180 recipes and Food & Beverage Managers at local sites were able to choose which recipes they wished to produce.

• Member question from Grant

  Why should I pay for membership when free passes have been given out?

  Sharon Pickford, Director of Support & Revenue, advised that the free passes were a great way for the charity to connect with new audiences who may not have previously considered the Trust was a place for them. The free tickets were also different from membership, and were for single use only.

• Member question from Abigail

  Historical sites should be in keeping with their period and not turned into interactive classrooms, and Council members should support the older generation of volunteers that knows the history of places.

  Tina Lewis, Director of People, reflected that the Trust was there to serve the whole of the nation, including schools and young people, and it embraced working with schools. Trust properties worked hard to balance the need to look after places and to give engaging, rich experiences for children, that spark the love for nature, beauty and history and the inspiration to care for it.

• Member question from Joanne

  Was the Trust looking at putting its membership card on the National Trust App?

  Sharon Pickford, Director of Support & Revenue, confirmed this was planned to be launched next year.

• Member question from Bryony

  What was the Trust doing to address diversity on the Council, Appointing Bodies and Board of Trustees?

  Jan Lasik, General Counsel & Secretary, confirmed the Trust remained committed to ensuring diversity in its governance to better reflect the communities it served as a charity. For Trustee recruitment, the charity partnered with a specialist recruitment agency with a strong record of improving diversity for its clients, and roles were advertised widely. Mr Lasik referred to the Trust partnering with the Young Trustees Movement which was seeking to address the under-representation of young people on Boards in the third sector.

• Member question from Bruce

  Many Trust volunteers had traditionally been older people. With the changes to retirement and the cost of living, older people may have a diminished capacity to volunteer. What was the Trust doing to diversify its volunteer cohort?

  Tina Lewis, Director of People, responded that there were now 19 properties across the organisation that were children and young people ‘hubs’ to engage younger groups in volunteering. The Trust had also taken part in the Big Help Out which was a way for anyone to try out volunteering.

• Member question from Keith

  Given the importance of membership, what action was the Trust taking to respond to the 117,000 reduction in memberships?

  Sharon Pickford, Director of Support & Revenue, advised that since the publication of the 2023–24 Annual Report, membership was growing again. The Trust’s performance within the sector was very strong and its renewing base was high. Visitor numbers were also increasing, reflecting a trend for visitors who preferred to pay on the day.

• Member question from Margaret

  Why had there been no mention as yet of thanks to Centres and Associations who raised funds for the Trust?

  Hilary McGrady, Director-General, apologised and reiterated that Centres and Associations were of significant importance to the Trust. Members of the Executive Team had spent much time with these valued groups.

• Member question from Tom

  Had the Trust focused too much on maintaining artistic heritage and, because of this, was it losing out on a growing number of newer properties that offered a wider experience?

  John Orna-Ornstein, Director of Curation & Experience, reflected that the uniqueness of the Trust was in the variety of places within its care, and the questions at the AGM had demonstrated differing views in what people wanted from the Trust. The organisation aspired to provide something for everyone.

• Member question from Paul

  What proportion of the Trust’s arable land was being farmed using regenerative techniques?

  Harry Bowell, Director of Land & Nature, advised that only 8% of Trust land was arable. The Trust was linked to pioneer regenerative farmers, and this was the direction of travel the Trust sought for its arable land.

• View voting results

  Total

  • For: 70,321
  • Against: 1,339

  Result

  • Carried

  Specified

  • For: 68,485
  • Against: 1,339

  Discretionary

  • For: 1,836
  • Against: 0

  Abstention

  • 7,503

• View voting results

  Total

  • For: 71,166
  • Against: 1,300

  Result

  • Carried

  Specified

  • For: 69,345
  • Against: 1,300

  Discretionary

  • For: 1,821
  • Against: 0

  Abstention

  • 6,672

• View voting results

  Total

  • For: 69,857
  • Against: 3,146

  Result

  • Carried

  Specified

  • For: 67,911
  • Against: 3,146

  Discretionary

  • For: 1,946
  • Against: 0

  Abstention

  • 6,156

• View voting results

  Total

  • For: 57,498
  • Against: 20,111

  Result

  • Carried

  Specified

  • For: 56,766
  • Against: 20,111

  Discretionary

  • For: 722
  • Against: 0

  Abstention

  • 2,726

• View voting results

  Total

  • For: 63,251
  • Against: 13,866

  Result

  • Carried

  Specified

  • For: 62,487
  • Against: 13,866

  Discretionary

  • For: 764
  • Against: 0

  Abstention

  • 3,096

• View voting results

  Total

  • For: 62,455
  • Against: 13,747

  Result

  • Carried

  Specified

  • For: 61,506
  • Against: 13,747

  Discretionary

  • For: 939
  • Against: 0

  Abstention

  • 3,892

• View voting results

  • Richard Auger – 1,691
  • Jyoti Baker – 666
  • Jon Benington – 1,027
  • Yula Bexson –702
  • Nuthana Bhayankaram – 42,736
  • Mash Bonigala – 385
  • Rebecca Bramwell-King – 749
  • Emma Brooke – 772
  • Sally Bugden – 823
  • Max Burnham – 753
  • James Butcher – 740
  • Alastair Campbell – 1,284
  • Nadine Carr – 417
  • Philip Cave – 885
  • Tom Chivers – 906
  • Anthony Clerci – 550
  • Ian Cole – 384
  • Iain Compton – 348
  • Paul Copeland – 351
  • Geraldine Cummins – 402
  • Fiona Curry – 748
  • Alan Darby – 238
  • Anna Daroy – 403
  • Keith Datchler – 208
  • Holly Davies – 341
  • Matt Dawkin – 333
  • Maya Deshpande – 536
  • Glen Dugdale – 545
  • Kathrin Enenkel – 230
  • Angelo Ercia – 155
  • Kayleigh Evans – 349
  • Jack Everist – 390
  • Valentine Falone – 182
  • Neil Garrick–Maidment – 269
  • Harry Gavan–Major – 316
  • Philip Gibbs – 19,895
  • Stephanie Gibrat – 334
  • Stuart Gilmour – 204
  • Bogdan Gogu – 194
  • Lawrence Goldman – 18,110
  • Duncan Gosling – 219
  • Beth Gray – 259
  • Sarah Green – 43,251
  • Rebecca Griffiths – 401
  • Dick Grillo – 383
  • Min Grimshaw – 42,324
  • Oliver Gross – 243
  • Karen Groves – 229
  • Christopher Hampson – 371
  • Faraaz Hamza – 353
  • David Harris – 562
  • Deborah Hodges – 241
  • Andrew Hollingshead – 288
  • Sarah Honeybone – 303
  • Mark Horton – 43,243
  • Tiffany Jenkins – 19,121
  • Rhian Johns – 239
  • William Jones – 241
  • Colin Kerr – 17,731
  • Gary Kirwan – 266
  • Julia Kiss Sekhon – 319
  • Michael Langham – 237
  • Jonathan Larkin – 528
  • Sue Law – 381
  • Bethany Love – 586
  • Richard Luff – 373
  • Harriet Mann – 469
  • Paul Margrie – 164
  • John Marshall – 569
  • Steven McCarley – 478
  • John McGuiness – 419
  • Jane Montague – 382
  • Jonathan Moon – 156
  • Frederick Moss – 297
  • Sandy Nairne – 42,667
  • Brian Nicholls – 162
  • Katja Oakley–Bell – 326
  • Bijan Omrani – 17,666
  • Dermot O’Reilly – 1,028
  • Laurie Page – 306
  • Philip Park – 222
  • Allison Potts – 480
  • Theodore Prince – 559
  • Fern Pulham – 85
  • Peter Radford – 209
  • William Ramsden – 302
  • Matthew Randall – 189
  • Joshua Rice – 42, 087
  • Sally Rice – 350
  • Malcolm Rumley – 232
  • Rhona Savin – 191
  • Lawrence Schoeb – 85
  • Omer Sen – 153
  • Carol Shadbolt –276
  • Raymond Shamash – 957
  • Todd Sharvell – 108
  • David Shield – 276
  • Victoria Skinner – 195
  • Anthony Smith – 160
  • David Stanton – 183
  • Paul Stewart – 510
  • Hellen Stirling–Baker – 292
  • Patrick Streeter – 18,330
  • Robin Stretton – 229
  • Ben Sumner – 159
  • Jennifer Sumption – 376
  • Ray Symes – 181
  • Bill Tate – 515
  • Jabbar Taj – 360
  • Jennifer Thomas – 251
  • Matt Thompson – 163
  • Kevin Tierney – 521
  • Julian Tope (withdrawn from election)
  • Helen Tourle – 350
  • Guy Trehane – 2,299
  • Krystian Trojnacki – 194
  • Katy Voisey – 388
  • Gill Webber – 208
  • John White – 133
  • Ben Wilcox – 265
  • Jon Wild – 167
  • Michael Wiles – 189
  • Evan Williams – 310
  • Daniel Winfield – 179
  • Chris Wood – 295
  • Paul Wood – 607
  • Neil Wyatt – 906

  Jan Lasik, General Counsel & Secretary, then announced the results of the ballot for election of organisations as Appointing Bodies and thanked all those organisations that had stood in the election.

  The voting results for the ballot of Appointing Bodies were as follows:

  • Action for Conservation – 41,719
  • Bumblebee Conservation Trust – 12,796
  • Conservation Volunteers (The) – 8,096
  • Council for British Archaeology – 45,299
  • CPRE, the countryside charity – 16,918
  • Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (The) – 11,101
  • English Heritage – 48,764
  • Gardens Trust (The) – 54,220
  • Georgian Group (The) – 16,662
  • Historic Houses – 54,970
  • Institute of Conservation (ICON) – 40,383
  • Keep Britain Tidy – 42,679
  • Land Trust (The) –6,610
  • Marine Conservation Society – 46,123
  • Museums Association – 43,187
  • National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (NFU) – 51,148
  • Open Spaces Society – 42,230
  • Plantlife – 6,073
  • Ramblers – 44,294
  • Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – 47,358
  • RSPB – 46,456
  • Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) – 12,033
  • Soil Association – 43,690
  • Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) –9,148
  • Sustrans – 39,529
  • Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) – 18,519
  • Victorian Society (The) – 16,921
  • Wildlife Trusts (The) – 47,511
  • World Heritage UK – 41,930