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Apologies for absence were reported from Dame Janet Fookes, Admiral Sir Nicholas Hunt, Professor Sir Peter Shepeard and Professor Prance.
Welcome to Vicount Ridley and Professor O'Neill, Colonel Gilchrist
Appointment
The Chairman reported that Air Vice Marshal A E Heggen AO succeeded Mr Alf Clarke as Director of War Graves in Australia in 19 June
Honours and Awards
Mr A Leech, Senior Head Gardener in France Area, has been awarded the British Empire Medal. Mr R A Wells and Mr C Browne, both Gardener Caretakers 1st Class in France Area and Mr R J Gander, Gardener Caretaker 1st Class in Northern Europe Area, had been awarded the Rotal Horticultural Society's Medal for 40 consecutive years of service
Death
The Chairman reports the death in service of Signor Francesco Graziano.
Minutes of the 585th Meeting of the Commission and Matters Arising From The Minutes
Circulation of minutes
Appointment of Secretary and Director-General
The Chairman reports that the President has appointed Mr David Kennedy to be Secretary and Director-General from 1 January 1993.
Forcast of Outturn
Mr Kennedy discusses the accounts from the year 1991-92.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme (1952) Valuation of the Fund as at 31 March 1990 and Benefit Structure
Te Chairman states that the governments of India and New Zealand confirmed they have no objections to the changes
New Commissioners
Lord Ridley states that he was not Vice-Chairman of the Royal Horticultural Society as recorded.
Annual Report and Accounts of the Commission
Mr Kennedy discusses the accounts for the year 1990-91.
Forecast of Outturn 1991-92
Mr Wilson states that the total expenditure for the year would only be £33,000 more than originally forecast.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Superannuation Scheme (1952): Annual Report 1990-91
The Commission took note of the Annual Report and incorporated the accounts for the year ending 31 March 1991.
The Imperial War Graves Endowment Fund- Trustees' Power of Investment
Mr Reddie states that modifications to the Trustees' powers of investment were desirable. The Commission approved of the new wording.
Organisation of the Commission- The Gibalter Agency
The Secretary states that it was no longer considered necessary to have such cumbersome provisions for maintenance work of the war graves in Gibraltar. Under the proposal, an honorary local supervisor would be appointed to keep an eye on the Commission's interests.
The 75th Anniversary of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
For the commemoration of the 5th anniversary next year, the Secretray invites suggestions as to what might be done. It is expected that the President would be present and that HM The Queen might also be in attendance. St George's Chapel is suggested by the Secretary, with a luncheon afterwards at the Commission's Head Office. With a discussion on numbers, this venue might be ruled out if the attendance reaches a certain threshold.
Commonwealth-Foreign Joint Committees: Appointment of Members
The Commission approved three appointments and took note of five others.
Burials and Commemorations
The Commission approved the alternative commemoration of ten war burials.
Execution of Documents
The Commission took note of the execution of documents on its behalf
Tours by Commissioners and Head Office Senior Officials
Sir Nigel Mobbs staes that on his visit to Italy, he thought Salerno was kept to a very high standard. Professor O'Neill states that the memorials in Belgium and France were not well known enough. Lord Ridley says he was much impressed by the good relationships amongst staff. The Chairman states that his visit to Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany had been geared with meeting new staff, and wa simpressed by the standard of the new gardeners.
Appointment to Senior Posts
The Chairman draws attention to the lists of appointments and reminds members Mr Kennedy would be on secondment for 1992.
Diary
The Chairman speaks of the President's attendance at the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
ATTENDEES:
General Sir Robert Ford GCB CBE (Vice-Chairman of the Commission)
His Excellency Mr Richard J Smith (High Commissioner for Australia)
The RT Hon J D Concannon
Sir Derek Dar KCMG
Sir Nigel Mobbs DL
Air Chief Marshal Sir Joseph Gilbert KCB CBE
The Viscount Ridley AO
Professor R J O'Neill AO
Mr J M Stewart (Representing the Secretary of State for Defence in the United Kingdom)
Mr R. G. S. Johnson (Representing the Secretary of State for the Environment in the United Kingdom)
Colonel B C Gilchrist CD (Representing the High Commission for Canada)
Brigadier B S Malik (Representing the High Commissioner for India)
Commodore J G Leonard RNZN (Representing the High Commissioner for New Zealand0
Mr J C Williams (Representing the Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa)
SECRETARY:
Mr J. Saynor JP, Director-General
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr P S Blunden FCA and Mr D Webb (Representing Coopers & Lybrand Deloitte)
Mr D Kennedy, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Administration)
Mr N B Osborne OBE FRICS, Assistant Secretary, Deputy Director-General (Operations)
Mr G.C. Reddie, Legal Adviser and Solicitor
Mr T.F. Penfold, Director of Personnel
Mr A. Coombe, Director of Works
Mr P Noakes BSc MI Hort, Director of Horticulture
Mr R D Wilson ACMA, Director of Finance
Mr J.P.D. Gee, Director of Information and Secretariat
Mr G. Campbell-Dykes, Higher Executive Officer (Secretariat)
Miss E Kennedy, Secretariat |