West Somerset Railway General Discussion

As has been pointed out already, the redacted sections of the Bailey Report deal solely with the S&DRT lease and 7F hire issues. IMHO a lack of sight of those sections has no bearing on the ability or otherwise of WSSRT and WSRA members to form an opinion on and/or vote about any possible restructuring of the WSR/WSSR/WSRA.

 

If you're talking about the trust and the association, then their combined shareholding is something less than 20%.
Ian Coleby

 

Maybe.

But (at least) 50% of the WSR plc shares are ‘orphan’ in that they never respond to communications, their owners likely being deceased.

So, combined, the charities hold 40% of the active shares.

And the rest are all in (relatively) penny packets.

Important to understand all the facts.

Robin

 

Can I ask is this an official WSRA share grab or is it that Robin being a trustee of the WSRA just a coincidence. If the latter will the Association distance itself from this action?

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

 

The Proposals and Individual Personal Statements from the '14' which were submitted to the WSSRT registered address on Thursday this week have been posted on the 'Unofficial West Somerset Railway Group' on facebook. Further updates and statements will be posted there as and when they are made.

In order for those on this forum who may not be on Facebook and to promote the values of openness and transparency, I copy the Proposals below and also attach the Individual Personal Statements in PDF format.

As @Robin Moira White states a meeting of the '14' is scheduled for Sunday pm.

-------------------------------

Pulling Together

We are standing as Trustees to bring about the following:

For the benefit of the West Somerset Railway and working through the PDG, we believe that the two West Somerset Railway charities, the WSRA and WSSRT should facilitate and lead a two-day conference by the end of October 2020, attended by representatives of all WSR interest groups, internal and external stakeholders, to:

(1) Chart a path to implement the Bailey recommendations, particularly that:

· there should be a single supervening charity by merger of the WSRA and WSSRT, and

· with the WSR plc as the operating company sitting within that single charity.

The aim is to achieve this by the end of March 2021.


(2) Agree the values, behaviours, vision and objectives for the Railway for the foreseeable future.

It is intended to involve John Bailey in the conference. In order to prepare, the charities will need to facilitate a series of open discussions with WSR interest groups, to promote a mutual understanding of the Bailey proposals, their importance to the future of the Railway, and to provide the fullest opportunity for individuals and groups to be consulted and involved.

We are aware that some WSR organisations are further along the values/behaviours/vision/objectives journey than others and we would wish to see all brought up to the same high standard.

We are all aware of the Charity Commission rules regarding Trustees and know of no reason why we should not be appointed.

We recognise that when the above reorganization is achieved many fewer Trustees will be required. Those of us who wish to remain Trustees in the refreshed organisation undertake only to do so if recommended by the appointments panel to be established as part of the Bailey recommendations.

Barrie Childs

Stephen Doughty

Martin Duff

Brian Fraser

Emma Haywood

David Horton

Colin Howard

Nigel Power

James Price

Jeff Price

Chris Ruddick

Seb Welsh

Robin White

Robin Wichard

 

I have taken the time to read in full the statements, and clearly all these people feel that if change is to happen, the organisations all need to pull together, as one, this makes sence, it's clear old preduces held by some against other organisations, are holding things back, I noticed that many of those standing, are active members of the railway, who clearly believe that change is not just wanted, but now needed urgently, the future of the railway has to be in doubt without the changes, and old hatreds have to be put away.

 

The Chris Grayling School of Management.

 

Having read the personal statements I am impressed by the caliber and experience of those who have decided to stand

 

As a bystander and sometime visitor it does seem something radical needs to happen and maybe this is the chance. As I,ve mentioned before the WOW factor needs to be returned and need excited hapoy volunteers etc or else ..,,,, Other preserved railways can do it in different ways would be a shame if WSR let themselves die out because of all the governance disagreements, seems to have been going on for ever. Seems a good varied and balanced set of statements

 

Rodders,
On the face of it the amalgamation of the two major shareholder groups seems entirely logical and entirely beneficial for the WSR as a whole. This is supported by the Bailey report.
As you disagree with this view could you please explain why, leaving aside any personality issues, and what alternative you see in order to place the Plc on a better and more representative footing ?

 

Not with people around intent on making trouble constantly from within!

 

News of the latest proposals come as the best news I have read over the last 1,500+ pages. <BJ>

 

RW and a band of followers!

 

what like the plc chairman!

 

Whats the alternative? you sit back saying we don't want to be part of any change, and you watch the railway, you say you support slip away or get taken over by others who see only the value in the terms of redevelopment values.

 

Maybe the question should be why haven't the steam Trust agreed to merge with the WSRA. Maybe they know more about the personalies and don't like what they see. If it was a good deal I am sure they would be pleased to merge with the WSRA but be assured they don't want to join. This will become bitter and messy.

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

 

That doesn't answer the question.

Why do you object and what is your alternative proposal to improve the governance of the WSR?

Remind me again of your role in shaping the current PLC board.

 

This is a prime example of the attitude that has caused many of the WSR's problems over many years.