Re-statement of statutory accounts

Like all members I have just received details of the revised (again?) Statutory Accounts.

I admit to having a suspicious mind, although I don t know why one should in these circumstances, but I am intrigued.

The reposting of 30,000 from relocation to admin expenses suggests to me a payment of a golden handshake, as this is the maximum figure allowed as a tax-free thank you payment to a senior employee or director on relinquishing their position.

I wonder if the Treasurer or Chief Executive would care to explain further before the AGM

I am sure that John Grayson read the the questions and answers I gave in the recent edition of DIY Week. Having identified that the number of members in the DIY Brush Sector was the most important issue going forward I said "The role of the sector vice president will be crucial and I will support the actions he and the sector committee consider necessary to increase membership." He will be DIY Sector Vice President for a second term (he is unopposed) after the AGM and I look forward to working with him. I have never suggested that I have all the solutions for the DIY Sector - he needs to lead the way on this.

The reason for an election is that it allows every candidate to put to members an agenda that they believe would benefit the Association in the future. My agenda is quite simple, I want BHETA to reduce its costs and give better value to members whilst at the same time been transparent as to how it spends Association Funds.

I have never suggested that BHETA is in an 'abyss' (however I will bow to John's judgement) but I do know that in the last four years BHETA have accumulated losses of 711k and the assets of the Association have reduced by 507k. He cannot seriously be suggesting that everything is hunky-dory at BHETA.

I do think it is wrong that the budgets for FEDIYMA and FEIBP have been cut before the cost of the bureaucracy has been addressed. I do think it wrong that significant payments are being made ( 125K in 2009) under compromise and compensation agreements and that members are not allowed to know what for or to who.

At the same time I do not believe that joining the British Jewellery, Giftware and Finishing Federation has any real benefits to either DIY, Brush or Housewares members. The board could not get the support of the members at an EGM so don't anybody believe that I am alone in my thoughts on the issue.

Since I started working with Black and Decker nearly thirty years ago I have been connected with and still trade in the DIY Sector. I want the Association to mean something to companies in the DIY and Brush sector and hope that John will start using DIYweek.net to tell potential members why they should join.

All elections are boring but it doesn't mean they are not important. I hope every company will vote and, whilst I may be a bit biased, think the best use of their vote would be for me.

THE BHETA ELECTION 2010

The above words probably strike fear into the hearts of most members! Well if not fear, then at the very least, yawning boredom, but please read on a little further.

BHETA is and I believe should always be a members association. It is my belief that DIY and Brush members are forgotten citizens within the association. The membership is falling and your benefits are in decline.

This is your chance to show that you care.
Form your own opinion from the myriad of information that has flooded onto your desk and register your vote.

To me the choice is simple, more of the same with perhaps the odd new face and not a great deal new for you, or a change at the top with the certainty of a strengthening DIY/Brush sector. More spin as in recent years or open transparency as members should expect.

For the record and by way of explanation, I have been in the Housewares and Tabletop sector as importer and manufacturer for more than 40 years and more recently as an independent consultant. The industry has obviously been good to me and now I try to give a little back when and where I can.

Whichever view you hold the important thing is that your vote.

Should you wish to utilise your proxy, I would be happy to represent you on 3rd June.
Please call on 07885 097209 or e-mail me Neville@myriadmarketing.co.uk