This meeting was held via Zoom on Saturday 8 May 2021. Apologies were received from Ann Mace and Bob Crumpton. Also present were Martin Hilton (Allens) and Nick Metcalfe (Co. Sec.).
Minutes of the previous Zoom meeting were approved, subject to minor amendment, and previous Action Points agreed as having been dealt with.
It was reported, encouragingly, that CMIC now had 11 branch ambassadors – an existing, themed PowerPoint presentation would be further refined and made generally available to all actual and potential ambassadors.
April contributions noted as a monthly record (£221K), with withdrawals a record monthly low (£18K).
Member feedback received on the ‘modern slavery’ and its possible existence in the supply chains of CMIC investees. Agreed as something the Committee needs to be alert to and a review of investees’ annual report disclosures on this matter will be undertaken over time.
Prospects for the July AGM taking place at Beeston still considered favourable but agreed to defer a final decision until shortly after indoor reopening date on 17 May, subject to Government guidance. Feedback on trading post-April outdoor reopening date all good.
Permission had been received from CAMRA to upload the parliamentary inquiry paper (sponsor Charlotte Nichols MP) to the CMIC site and this would be done forthwith. Ongoing issue regarding a possible ‘pubs recovery fund’ continuing to draw blanks and agreed it would now be dropped as an agenda item.
Approximately £200K notified as available to invest – a round-the-table, after noting there were no obvious contenders and the continuing uncertainties etc, initially agreed not to invest anything, but, on reflection, to allocate £20K each into 5 existing investees with a known ‘tourism angle’ to their activities.