BCAT: “It’s business as usual…”

The BCAT AGM was held on Monday, 1st December to plan the way ahead after the resignation of Director Lynne Hoy, as reported in last month’s Messenger (see editorial issue 36, November 2003). Her resignation was closely followed by the resignation of three Trustees, including Chair Rashid Ahmad. Despite BCAT’s claim that Lynne left after finding another job, she has made it clear to the Messenger she felt forced out (see next article).

A difficult year

BCAT was established in 1998 as a charity working for the improvement of the whole area. The aim was to kickstart regeneration in the area by supporting local projects and groups, bringing funding into the area and building strong community relationships. BCAT have faced a difficult year and lost key staff when SRB funding came to an end at the beginning of the year. They had been without a permanent Director for over a year until Lynne Hoy joined the team (Issue 32, June 2003).

Her departure after only eight months leaves BCAT facing another period of uncertainty but Pete Smith, interim Chair of Trustees, told the Messenger, “BCAT is a dedicated and committed team. The resignation of one person, trustee or paid worker, will not influence the Trust’s plans for the future or damage in any way all the good work that has been, and is being, done.”

Donovan Modest, interim Director at BCAT, was keen to stress that Lynne’s departure wouldn’t affect BCAT’s strategic role in the development and future of Burngreave. “We are planning to become one of the key deliverers of services to the people of Burngreave and to be one of the organisations to be given consideration to becoming a development agency for the area when BNDfC comes to an end in 2011.”

Finding a way forward

Many volunteers have contributed their time and energy to support BCAT over the years. The AGM on 1st December, was a brisk affair chaired by an external facilitator, Terry Smith. There was no explanation of trustee resignations and no discussion of recent events. Six new trustees were elected, joining three who continued from last year. Only one of them was a trustee at last year’s AGM. Lynda Kenyon was elected as Chair by a narrow margin by the fourteen voting members present.

Lynne Hoy told the Messenger that, although she would have liked to stay, now she has moved on she hopes the new board of trustees can face up to the real issues and ensure BCAT fulfils its potential, for the sake of the whole community.

Donovan Modest remained very positive about the future with a strong staff team and with BCAT as a member of the new ‘Round Table’ of different agencies working to improve our area. “It’s business as usual. We’re advertising new development jobs in Firvale. What we’re about is looking at strategic issues and beyond 2011. Anyone can contribute,” he said, “Come along and join either the Trust or the Forum”. To find out more about BCAT or BCAF contact their office on 272 8008.

Messenger comment

As the Chair’s annual report said, “[The loss of the Director] will undoubtedly increase pressure on the remaining staff.”

But the Messenger hopes that, with the support of the new trustees, the staff can help BCAT become a strong organisation. Managing projects on a voluntary basis is difficult and challenging, and small community-led initiatives should be able to rely on BCAT’s support. It is receiving £200,000 per year to provide that support and it is vital it succeeds.