The BBCA Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place virtually via Teams on Wednesday 15 July 2020. The meeting started at 18h30.
Attendees at the meeting were H.E. Martin Shearman - British Ambassador to Belgium, Glenn Vaughan - Chairman BBCA, Glynis Whiting, Steve Robinson, Nigel Cameron, Anna Cameron, Lilian Eilers - Chair of British & Commonwealth Women’s Club, Tim Reynolds, Amanda Newell, Chris Dalton, Christopher Thubron, Malcolm Johnson, Simon Pascoe, Tracie Ryan, Charles White, and Nick Compton.
Apologies for Absence were received from Clive Hinchcliffe, Bernard Mills - Chairman/President Brussels Madrigal Singers, Muriel Lowe, Eileen Chiles. Alan Davis, Léon RUBIN, Liz Taylor, Susannah Haan, and Nikki Hayes.
Address from the Ambassador
As part of the proceedings HE Ambassador Martin Shearman looked back over the year. He explained that the Embassy had been very busy preparing for BREXIT at the end of January and maintaining the long relationship between Belgium and UK. He cited the event for the British Community in the Grand Place hosted by the Mayor of Brussels at the end of January as one illustration of the warmth of bilateral ties. The relations between UK and Belgium go back through history as the commemorations last autumn of 75 years since the liberation of Belgium had demonstrated. He thanked the BBCA for their work to inform British residents of their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Looking ahead, the future relationship between UK and Belgium, preparing for the end of the transition period and supporting British business and residents occupy much time for the Embassy. He noted as encouraging signs as some big investments in UK by Belgian companies took place this year. Bilateral cooperation on foreign and security policy also remains important, with both countries on the UN Security Council and re-establishment of a resident Defence Attaché in the Embassy.
Regarding the UK’s departure from the EU, the Ambassador made clear that the transition period will happen at the end of the year. The UK Govt set out its approach in February to negotiations with the EU on the future relationship. It published proposals in May for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and other agreements on fisheries, law enforcement cooperation etc. These draw heavily on existing precedent. UK will no longer operate under the rules of the Court of Justice after the end of the transition period. Negotiations were currently ongoing, and it remained the UK Government’s objective to secure agreement on an FTA, though there were still significant issues to resolve.
The Embassy is preparing for 1st of January. There are many points to make clear including border issues with the ports to ensure mutual understanding of procedures as well as helping British residents in Belgium transition to their new status and obtaining new ID cards. The Belgian authorities have said that all registered British residents will receive a letter before the end of the year on obtaining their new residency card under the Withdrawal Agreement. The Embassy is pressing for early clarity on the exact procedure.
The Ambassador noted the ongoing challenge of Covid-19 to public health and the economic impact.
The Ambassador concluded by welcoming the good cooperation between the BBCA and the Embassy and thanking the BBCA for its work to support UK residents in Belgium. He looked forward to further cooperation.
Chairman’s Report
Glenn Vaughan explained that the BBCA had had a very busy year in 2019. There were three BREXIT briefings hosted during the year which over 1200 people registered and of which around 50% attended, many joining this type of event for the first time.
The Summer Garden Party held at the Royal Brussels Cricket Club was a great success and he thanked the club, the charities and volunteers who ensured the day was a great success.
The BBCA Christmas Party was last year held at the Chatelain Hotel. Glenn thanked Tony and Angela Lowe who performed on the night as well as the British School Parents Choir for their lively Christmas songs. Glenn thanked the hotel and the BBCA social events team – Amanda Newell, Nikki Hayes and Tracie Ryan for their great organization.
Through these events the BBCA succeeded to raise 4,540 euros which was given to the charities close to the BBCA, namely the British Charitable Fund, the Royal British Legion, the Wednesday Club and the Community Help Service.
Glenn concluded by expressing his thanks to Alison Rose, ex British Ambassador to Belgium who returned to the UK last year, for her great support for the organization and many associations linked to it on behalf of the British Community.
This year the BBCA successfully hosted one BREXIT briefing which was attended by 150 people before COVID put everyone under lock down. Sadly, the Summer Party was cancelled, and these cancellations will have a negative impact on the BBCA’s ability to raise funds for the deserving charities in this hour of need.
Glenn concluded by emphasizing the BBCA’s gratitude to the Ambassador, our Patrons especially the Fry Group, ING, the British School of Brussels and Eurocity for all their support and to all the sponsors and volunteers who do great work giving their time, energy and care for the organization and the community.
Finances
Christopher Thubron presented the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019. The Net Worth of the BBCA was €16,069 compared with €15,134 at the end of 2018 increased by the surplus for the year of €935. The main component was the bank balance of €17,047 less outstanding debts of c.€1,000.
Income from subscriptions was stable at €4,950 and from events increased to €1,604 compared with €486. Expenses increased by a little over €500 to €1,079, due mainly to increased expenditure on development of the website leaving a excess of Income over Expenditure of €5,475 of which €4,540 was donated equally to the four associated BBCA charities leaving a surplus to carry forward of €935.
You can access the full minutes of the meeting here.
