Board of Trustees' reflections on AGM resolutions

Insurance provision for historic buildings

Members' resolution to insure all the historic buildings in our care sufficiently to provide enough funds for any eventuality. 

Board of Trustees’ response

Members voted not to carry this resolution and the Board of Trustees is upholding that outcome. The Board ensures a multi-layered and robust approach to protecting the places in our care. We complete regular maintenance at all properties, undertake conservation work, and ensure we have prevention systems to guard against incidents such as fire. 

In case the worst does happen, we also have insurance, which includes cover for catastrophic events like fire and flood. We work with specialist brokers to secure comprehensive cover, and Trustees review these arrangements annually.  It is however not possible to procure insurance that provides absolute protection for every eventuality.

The proposal to publish a full annual report on insurance arrangements raised serious concerns for us. It is critical that we do not undermine our ability to negotiate with insurance providers to secure and maintain effective insurance, and we need to continue to respect and effectively manage commercially sensitive information. We will continue to publish information about how the Audit & Risk Committee monitors risk within our Annual Report.

Increasing tick awareness at outdoor places

Members' resolution to encourage greater tick awareness amongst visitors to the places we look after.

Board of Trustees’ response

Members voted to carry this resolution at the AGM. The Board of Trustees is upholding that outcome and looks forward to working with the proposers of the resolution on next steps. 

We will scale-up tick awareness at key times of the year through social media campaigns that aim to improve awareness of the precautions visitors can take (such as wearing suitable clothing) before coming to one of the places we look after. We will also be reviewing the posters at our places and the information on display about how to check for a tick bite. In addition, we will continue to provide guidance to our volunteers and staff who regularly work outdoors, and will monitor tick-related incidents at the places in our care.