Council Report - 4 March 2006

There was a record number of seven observers for the March Council meeting, although Council decided to discuss the main item on the agenda - the Initial Outline for the 2006-10 Business Plan - in private (see the Talyllyn News for reports on progress on this subject).

Ian Lloyd-Owen has been appointed Fund Raising Officer and Deborah Sharpe Secretary of the Society & Membership Committee. Rob Boden is replacing Christopher Awdry as editor of Trackside, the newsletter for junior members. The 30% discount on public cafe prices for volunteers was implemented at the beginning of February, and a ban on smoking on all trains is about to come into force. A "play locomotive" has been ordered for Abergynolwyn playground and there are plans for a slide from the main station area to the playground. However, some additional funding is still being sought.

Results for the 2005 season are now available, and paying passengers at 46313 (8.7% up on 2004) were the highest since 1996 (we even ran a charter train on 28 January, three days before our financial year end of 31 January). The new Wharf cafe has been a great success with 2005 public takings 82% up on 2004 - this was not at the expense of Abergynolwyn where takings were up 9%. Shop takings were up 18.8%. The 2006 season has got of to a good start with bookings for the February half-term service being 22% up and revenue 30% up, reflecting the fare increase. But we ran on 12 instead of nine days because of differing half-term dates. The membership travel survey we have been running for the past two seasons has been successful in deterring the misuse of membership travel by the transferring of membership cards, but to maintain the deterrent effect we will need to be seen to continue to check cards, so the survey is continuing. In the past, it has been the tradition to invite members to pay privilege fare if travelling on post-Christmas trains; since this service is now reasonably viable this will no longer be the case and the usual members travel facilities will apply.

Insurance premiums for the year total a little over £20K, a reduction of £1.5K on 2005 and £3K on the initial quote for this year, thanks to good work by the Company Secretary.

On health and safety, the legislation requiring railways such as the TR to produce a Safety Management System within six months is expected to come into force before the end of this month. Other Regulations will replace the 160 year old system of Her Majestys Railway Inspectorate inspecting new works on railways free of charge by a system which will require railways to seek approval by an independent "competent person" who would have to be paid and who is also meant to be involved at the design stage. The EU legislation giving rise to these Regulations only applies to main line railways and the HRA are seeking an exemption for heritage railways, though the chance of success is thought to be slim. Leaflets on railway safety are in preparation for Tracksiders and occasional outdoor volunteers. Ian Evans would also appreciate more help with supervising Tracksiders.

Proposed changes to the Societys Constitution and Rules mainly relating to the appointment of Voce-Presidents were agreed and will be published in the June News before consideration by the AGM in September. Council also agreed to adopt the FEDECRAIL (The European equivalent of the HRA) Riga Charter on the conservation and use of historic railway equipment - it appears possible that the EU might make some money available for projects involving more than one country.

Note: Next Council meeting is on Saturday 3 June.

Philip Sayers
8 March 2006