Sub Menu
Due to the restrictions placed on gatherings by the Scottish Government and in the interests of the safety and wellbeing of members it was decided to host the AGM as a webinar for members. This webinar is the first that the SPOA has held. Attendance was strong, on a par with that of the association’s usual meetings.
Outgoing President, Mark Anderson of GAP Group Ltd opened the meeting with the Presidents report. Explaining the challenges of the year He commented "2020 has been a year like no other, from the harsh April lockdowns to the different working rules for construction in Scotland, England and Wales. The ability of our members to adapt to digital platforms and continue offering their customers high levels of service is amazing."
He continued by explaining the SPOA Executive Committee has continued working hard through 2020 - "The committee has been actively involved with the Government on both a Scottish and UK level - All of which is detailed on the SPOA website. This includes info on financial support for members and the lack of it, Red Diesel Subsidy in construction and guidance notes of important matters such as the Reverse VAT scheme."
He also confirmed that the Scottish Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum "CiCV Forum" on which the SPOA has played a key role will continue after the pandemic as a group of 48 Scottish Construction Trade Bodies having one stronger collective voice regarding construction in Scotland. Finally, his thanks were given to outgoing Executive Committee members Brian Young and Bill Paterson for their contribution to the SPOA and its work over the years.
SPOA Secretary Graham Bell took the lead with the financial reports for the SPOA and the Aitken Whyte Memorial Trust confirming both accounts to be in good order.
By recommendation of the executive committee, Callum Mackintosh of Highland Hammer Hire / HHH Equipment was then elected as President of the association and conditional upon that John Sibbald of Sibbald Training Ltd was elected as Vice President of the association.
In any normal year the executive committee would welcome new members to the board, especially as three members had retired however it was by recommendation that no new members would be appointed in their place until 2022 due to the in ability to conduct committee meetings in person and the difficulty that would cause in helping new committee members to gel with the existing committee.
One resolution of the Executive Committee was ratified-
"For the avoidance of doubt, a member of the Association can only have one representative at a time on the executive committee. If a member of the executive committee moves employment from one member of the Association to another already represented on the Executive Committee then the Executive Committee will decide if it is in the interests of the Executive Committee and benefit of the Members to have two representatives from the one member and, if not, one of them must resign with effect from the next annual general meeting of the Association."
No objections or questions were raised during the AGM however Past President Gordon Bow of Gordon Bow Plant Hire raised his hand to speak. He commented “Well done to the SPOA for holding the AGM and not being beaten by the challenges we faced over the last 12 months.” The panellists encountered various technical difficulties despite a successful trial run but, regardless, all attendees managed to persevere and stay until the end of the meeting with no further comments.
The meeting closed for the March meeting of the Executive Committee to be held.
The 2022 AGM will no doubt be back to a physical meeting where members can network as normal but, in the meantime, if members or prospective members have questions or suggestions then they can be raised by email to Info@spoa.org.uk Members can get to know the new president by clicking here.