Minutes of EMAG committee meeting, 11th June 2001

Present: Committee:Vincent Nolan, Michael Lister, Adrian Howard-Jones, Paul Braithwaite, Tom Lake, David Browning.

Members in attendance: Jeremy Lever, Colin Slater, Andrew Pike

Apologies: Edgar Harbourne, Alex Henney, John Gardner

1. Minutes
   
   Minutes of May 10th meeting were approved.
   
   
2. Relations with Equitable Life
   
   Jeremy Lever reported on a telephone conversation with V. Treves earlier that day, following his personal letter. VT said he was " sorry if his remarks appeared to denigrate valuable work done by action groups" but expressed concern at action group committee members who could not be trusted. Paul B said that he could not think of a single example of any breach of confidentiality by an action group committee member. JL had proposed to VT, as a communications channel, a monthly meeting between action group reps and some ELAS non-exec directors. EMAG to respond to this after the election of new committee.
   
   
3. Treasurer's report:
   
   Michael Lister reported that we have a balance of funds in excess of £7,000 and 1,670 members. The mailing to members announcing AGM has cost £1,300.
   
   
4. EMAG AGM:
   
   Tom Lake reported that we anticipate about 50 attendees. Given the Reform Club venue, jackets and ties are required. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. We have received, thus far, one nominee for Treasurer (Ms B McCann) and one as committee representative for overseas policyholders (Margaret Felgate). It was also confirmed that A H-J, Tom Lake, Alex Henney, Paul B and Colin Slater will offer themselves for election to the new committee at the AGM. David B was invited to stand again.
   
   
5. 
   
   Andrew Pike will endeavour to finalise Tom Lake's redrafted constitution and the new committee will be authorised to adopt a constitution. Vincent will take the chair at the AGM up until the election of the new committee. Paul B will take over, pending the new committee's choice of a new chairman. The committee will need the prerogative to co-opt new committee members.
   
   
6. Relationship of ELAS/Halifax:
   
   It was agreed that the EMAG committee should continue to press ELAS for clarification of terms and various aspects of the relationship with Halifax (letter from Alex Henney to VT is a work-in-progress).
   
   
7. Compromise discussion:
   
   Committee agrees that individuals may participate in the compromise discussions with ELAS (next being Friday 15th June, to be attended by Colin Slater and Paul B).
   
   
8. Warren:
   
   Committee encouraged AH-J to try to continue to be involved in Warren II and to remain in contact with Nicholas Warren - if the Society will permit. A H-J has asked for the new Terms of Ref and has been told they have not yet been agreed in writing. A H-J commented particularly on subtle differences between the ELAS press release, which did get widely reported, the summary and the full text of the report. The extensive space devoted in the full report to aspects of "unfairness" to non GARs (25% of the whole report) was "downplayed" in the summary version and the press release.
   
   
9. Membership subscription:
   
   Committee discussed the important ongoing need for revenue to maintain independence. It was voted that EMAG continue to be "membership by subscription", but revised to "suggested £20".
   
   
10. Relations with EPHAG/ELMHG:
    
    Whilst Paul B has made overtures to both about joining together, neither are inclined to do so at this time. EPHAG has recently confirmed its on-going relationship with Whitechurch and re-stated its mission to represent the best interests of the nonGARs in the compromise to minimise the impact of the H of L. Committee decided to continue to co-operate with EPHAG where we have a common position. It was agreed to explore possibly combining EMAG website with Liz Kwantes's ELMHG, which is maintained daily.
    
    
11. Compromise and Warren II:
    
    The question of unfair selling needs to be addressed BEFORE any compromise. The committee forsees difficulties in arriving at a sound compromise if the issue of unfair selling has not been addressed satisfactorily.
    
    
12. Revising ELAS's constitution:?
    
    Both A H-J and Paul B are concerned to address long-term reform and ELAS's philosophical framework and regard this as a core part of EMAG's on-going objectives.
    
    
13. Committee dinner:?
    
    It was proposed to arrange at a date tbc a celebratory dinner for all existing committee members/affiliates (plus partners) - at members own expense.