1. Chairman's remarks Christopher Jones welcomed those members present, and the guest for the evening Michael Rider. This was to be a significant meeting, with a resolution proposed by the Executive Committee which, if agreed, would lead to the winding up of the organisation later in the year. This proposal coincided with the entry in May into the European Union of many of the countries with which Lewes Links had aimed to make contact over the past 12 or 13 years, and a good celebratory point to remember the achievements of the organisation.

The business of the AGM would otherwise follow the normal pattern.

2. Apologies Jak Baksi, (who had very recently returned from abroad), Paul Busby, Jeremy and Rosemary Goring, Illa Hayward, David Lepper MP, Madeleine Peasgood and Ray Whiteway-Roberts

3. The Minutes of the Wednesday, 23rd April 2003 AGM had been available at the beginning of the meeting. The list of those present was amended to include Joyce Taylor. The Minutes were then agreed and signed (proposed by Marilyn Dodd, seconded by Berta Busby).

4. Matters Arising - it was agreed that these would be covered in discussion during the agenda.

5. Correspondence The Secretary said that the topics at last year's AGM had both led to some follow-up correspondence. In particular Iulia Ciureza had passed on the Lewes Links contact to a school in Craiova (Romania) which had asked for a link with a Sussex school. She regretted that schools approached here had neither responded nor acknowledged receiving the request.

Business of the AGM Reports:

6. Secretary's Report Margaret Tuccori reported that to mark the accession to the EU on 1 May, it had been suggested that an essay competition should be arranged with a tertiary college. Here again there had been no response. She had consulted with Kate Evans of the European Movement, and agreed that schools appeared unable to participate in projects outside the confines of the curriculum. It raised an important issue for future policy, and it might be useful to liaise with teacher training about possible curriculum contexts.

7. Treasurer's Report Marilyn Dodd reported on the financial accounts for the year. There had been very little expenditure and reserve funds carried forward gave a healthy balance to mount this year's celebratory event. It was pointed out that the income from members' Standing Orders did not appear in the accounts. There may have been an administrative error in processing the standing orders, which would be investigated. She asked for agreement to pay an honorarium to the accountant who had verified the financial reports for several years, and this was agreed.

Approval of the Treasurer's report was proposed by Berta Busby and seconded by Doreen Court.

8. Membership Secretary's Report Grace Blaker said there were currently 21 paid-up members (this included those on Standing Orders), and another 6 who thought they had paid up but there was no record of their doing so. There had been one membership application through the website but no subscription had been received.

9. At this point the Chairman asked members' preference for the order of the Agenda. He recommended that discussion of the special resolution should take place before the election of committee members. This would allow the chance to vote for alternative opinions to those of the outgoing committee, if so wished. The meeting agreed to this suggestion.

10. Resolution proposed by the Executive Committee

This Annual General Meeting of Lewes Links (formerly Lewes Links with Eastern Europe) instructs the Executive Committee to proceed to dissolve the Association according to the procedure defined in the Constitution at paragraph 16, and recommends that, subject to the Committee being satisfied with transitional arrangements, the aims and assets of the Association be merged into the Sussex branch of the European Movement.

The Chairman explained that Notice of Intent had been circulated to all members and contacts in the March Newsletter. He hoped that all members had the opportunity to make alternative points of view known, either in advance, or at this meeting. The date of winding up was not defined in the resolution, but was anticipated to follow (1) the mounting of a final celebration on or following 1st May 2004, (2) the compilation, design and publishing of a booklet looking back over the period 1991-2003. Any remaining assets, archives and expert knowledge would be passed to the Sussex branch of the European Movement, an organisation with similar or complementary objectives. He invited Michael Rider, Chair of the Sussex branch of the European Movement to speak to the meeting.

11. Michael Rider confirmed that there seemed to be a consensus on the proposed transfer. Three members were already in both organisations, and the European Movement committee had welcomed the proposal. The EM had up to now mainly focused on western Europe, and would be pleased to absorb knowledge and experience of the eastern side. Current membership of the Sussex branch was about 110. It was a voluntary organisation with a core administration handled by an executive committee of 9 people. As with Lewes Links, the Sussex branch of the EM tended to follow personal contacts and interests. The EM was non-aligned politically and aimed to maintain objectivity on policy issues. The UK head office of the EM had some paid staff, and sometimes shared administration with Britain in Europe. There was also a well-organised branch in Eastbourne., which usually managed to publish an annual programme. The Sussex branch was able to take advantage of nationwide contacts, and thus had access to expertise and literature. The branch was autonomous financially: there was a nominal subscription of L5 annually, and a voluntary further donation to funds of up to L20. It occasionally received central subsidies for specific projects. Its objectives were broadly educational, with meetings at which representatives from embassies spoke. There was some campaigning, for instance to raise awareness of the voting for the European Parliament this summer. There had been some effort to contribute in schools, for instance debating events and role-play exercises in sixth forms. He recommended two websites for further information: www.euromove.org.uk and www.britainineurope.org.uk. An excellent book by Hugo Young This blessed plot set out a thorough history of UK relations with Europe.

In discussion with members, Michael Rider said he found the arts event experience of Lewes Links very interesting, and the two organisations shared some positive experience in providing hospitality for European visitors in members' homes. The Sussex branch would welcome one or two Lewes Links members on their committee, to ensure a say in the use of any assets that had been transferred. The two committees would arrange for more detailed discussion about the merging of interests and assets.
 

The Resolution (para.10 above) was then put to the vote and agreed unanimously. Members emphasised that the record should show that the meeting had recognised the value over many years of the work and commitment put into Lewes Links. It was "an achievement hardly mirrored in any other form in England".

12. Election of members of the Executive Committee

With the exception of Andrew Caverly, who was unable to participate, it was agreed to re-elect the existing members of the Executive Committee for the transitional period before dissolution:

13. Any Other Business

No other business was raised.