National Trust says: Welcome to the live webcast of the 114th Annual General Meeting of The National Trust.
We would really like to hear from you, so please use this opportunity to take part. Anybody may submit questions to the webchat via the form to the left. Members are invited to raise questions to the AGM, but please ensure you include your membership number.
We will try to answer as many of your questions as we can. Thank you.
Sarah Gee: Not a question but a huge round of applause - this is a fantastic example of an open, accessible and transparent organisation using technology to add value. Well done to all at the National Trust.
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Thank you Sarah! it's good to have you join us this morning.
James Lanceley: As much as everyone might like it to, can the N.T. afford to take on Seaton Delaval Hall in the current economic climate?
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hello James. Fiona Reynolds, our Director General, answered your question live during the AGM. You can replay it via the webcast, alternatively I've captured here the essence of what she said: "It's a good question, but the question should perhaps be can we afford not to? Unfortunately we weren't able to determine the time Seaton came on the market, and as we all know, it probably couldn't have been at a much worse time. However, we took a brave decision to go out with the appeal and to see what people wanted us to do - and were absolutely overwhelmed by the astonishing response we received. A huge amount of money was raised locally and nationally and so we feel that this time there was a huge public desire to try to save this place. Sadly, with acquisitions, we very rarely get an opportunity to decide on timing".
Maggie Harrison: I have regularly watched one of the hunts that has kindly been issued a trail hunting license by the NT. There is no question that they are hunting illegally. No trails are laid. Foxes are hunted. As a member of the NT I feel really violated by this. Would other members feel the same way if they knew this were the case?
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Thank you Maggie. I think your point is being covered as part of the main resolution debate. To listen again, click on the 'webcast' replay at the end of the meeting.
Elizabeth Akenhead: The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is about to become law, opening up a 4 metre wide corridor for walkers around the coast of England and Wales. The National Trust owns a lot of this coastline and I have been happy to contribute to some of these coastline purchases over my years as a life member. Will the Trust please do its utmost to ensure that wherever possible on Trust land this 4 metre wide corridor is also made available to horseriders, who compared to walkers have so few paths they are allowed on, particularly around the coast, and who desperately need off-road places to ride now that the roads have become so busy? In Scotland a right of access to the coast and foreshore has been provided by law for all non-motorised users for several years now, without major disasters.
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hello Elizabeth. Peter Nixon, our Director of Conservation, says: "We are keen to provide more horse riding access on Trust property where this is practicable. With regard to the 4 metre pedestrian access corridor along coastline as proposed under the Bill, it may well prove impracticable for us to provide horse access on a permissive basis due to the narrowness of the strip and in places the closeness to eg cliff edge, which would make dual pedestrian and horse use inappropriate, However there may well be opportunities for us to provide horse access to coastline on our land beyond the 4 metre strip."
pamela dinsmore: Why are you relying on the generosity of "free labour", when paid employees could be much better informed about artifacts, Etc.
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hello Pamela. I've just spoken to Paul Boniface, the Director of HR and Governance, who says: "An interesting question, thank you! I think i'd say two things by way of response. Firstly, we have 5,000+ staff but 55,000 volunteers. Without our fantastic team of volunteers we simply wouldn't be able to care for, open and welcome people to the places we care for for them to enjoy. Secondly - and more importantly - since the Trust's earliest days, volunteers have been at the heart of what the Trust is all about, a part of our ethos. The organisation is dependent on its supporters. Without them it wouldn't exist ... and we are incredibly lucky to have so many prepared to offer the time, passion and expertise we need to keep the organisation alive. Our thanks to them all!"
stuart rolfe: why do some propertys issue tickets(reciepts) to members to access houses when the membership card should really be sufficent surely this is a waste of paper when we should be trying to reduce the waste of paper.
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hello Stuart. Sue Wilkinson, our Director of Supporter Services, says: "Thanks for the question. The ticketing system helps us to count how many people are going through our houses (an indication of whether or not you are finding them interesting and to help us monitor wear and tear on the houses). However, I think you raise a fair challenge and we'll see if we can find ways to use less paper".
Nick Booth: Daft question about volunteering - people love volunteering.
Paul Phillips: I am very concerned about the National Trust being subjected to political pressure from "social adjustment" campaigns. What is the current policy to ban hunting on National Trust lands? I believe the stewardship of the farming community should be left to those who are best able to exercise dealing with control over wildlife. Hunting is a well respected country pursuit fulfilling many benefits for country people and far removed from the gruesomeness many portray is their dark secret. Can you encourage the hunts rather than bow to the demands of those who are not well disposed to cherish country sports?
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hello Paul. Your point has just been read out as part of the debate on the main resolution put to the meeting. To listen again, click on the 'webcast' replay button after the meeting has finished.
Tino Kerigan-Kyrou: It is excellent that the Trust is committed to sustainable farming. Can you comment on your progress promoting animal welfare on Trust farms.
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hi Tino. Peter Nixon, our Director of Conservation, says: "Our Farm and Countryside Advisers when visiting our farm tenants always are aware of animal welfare needs and advocate good practice to our tenants. Similarly we encourage our tenants when preparing their Whole Farm Plans to take account of animal welfare - which is a win-win as healthy and content animals are also generally the most sustainably productive. For our Fine Food Awards, a scheme of NT accreditation for our farm tenants' produce, we involve a formal animal welfare accreditation by a third party."
Claybrough Mark: How do you think the NT can ensure that the key values of the NT and the commitment and motivation of volunteers and permanent staff is preserved in an environment and philosophy more and more focussed on money, finance and other non holistic drivers?
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hi Mark, we'll get back to you on that shortly.
Paul Phillips: I am listening to Marcus Binney on the webcast, as a result of being unable to attend personally today as hoped.
Prof Michael Lipton has relayed to Mr. Binney a news release about a proposed plan in Brighton to "regenerate" the Marina with 1301 flats.
The public outcry to preserve the strategic views of the Cliffs and the Kemp Town Estate against the highrise towers is now subject to a Public Inquiry.
In my absence to ask personally, it would be greatly appreciated if Mr. Binney be passed this my/our invitation to speak on behalf of those seeking protection of our natural and built heritage of Brighton's seaside and the Grade 1 Listed Kemp Town Estate at the Public Inquiry.
Many thanks,
Paul Phillips, Chairman
Kemp Town Society.
(Many thanks for broadcasting my question on hunting)
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Thank you Paul. I will try to find a way to pass Mr Binney your note.
Diana Kershaw: Re Working Holidays. It's also the poor quality of many of our basecamps that limit the number of holidays that can be run. We need to invest in them. They are also good for families as they are not so precious as holiday cottages
Nicola Andrews (Assistant Director, Operations) replies: Hi Diana. Thanks for the question! I'll pass it on to the relevant person and ask them to respond to you.