Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the St James's Branch

Held at the RBL HQ, Haig House, London

On Wednesday 14th October 2026 at 1400hrs

Present

Opening and Apologies

·      Act of Remembrance recited to open the meeting

·      Apologies received from Claire Barry, Edmund Owen, and Hilary Meredith (conflicting meeting)

·      Minutes of last AGM proposed by Jim Organ, seconded by Harrison; no matters arising

Chairman’s Report  

2026 Has been a mixed year for the Branch. I assumed the post of Chairman after the 2025 Branch AGM as Mr Jim Organ stepped down after 12 years as Chairman, I would like to register the Branch’s thanks to him for all his work over that time. In April we sadly lost a long-term member of the Branch; Mr Mike Dargan, Mike was our Branch web site manager and the Chairman of Trustees at The Glanos Royal British Legion Home, in Southam Warwickshire, in addition Mike also acted as the liaison officer  between the Branch and all six Homes. I would like to register my thanks and those of the Branch for all Mike’s hard work over the years.

At the start of the year, I drafted an email for our MSO Rachell Wilkins to send to all members of the branch calling for volunteers to join the Branch Committee, the email was a great success, we now have six new members. I would like to thank our new members for volunteering and supporting the Branch.

Membership, roles & committee plan

Recruitment email earlier in the year produced 6 new volunteers; a few could not attend the AGM.

New role distribution noted and gratitude expressed for volunteers supporting committee workload.

o  Karen Marks: Secretary

o  Jim Gibson: Webmaster

o  Asma Bibi: Liaison with the six RBL homes

Plan discussed to invite a representative from one of the RBL homes to the January meeting for a briefing, then to hold a branch meeting at a home later in the year to observe operations and how funds are used.

2026 Charitable Donations

£100,000 to RBL Homes

£40,000 to RBL Welfare

£25,000 to the National Memorial Arboretum (Queen’s Canopy)

Treasurer’s Report

See Appendix 1.

Accounts proposed Jim Organ and seconded Brian; adopted

Plans for 2027 and Upcoming Dates

AGM attendance has declined since COVID; plan to advertise next year’s AGM more widely and encourage local members to attend in person or via Teams.

Homes are able to host meetings and provide Teams access; using Teams will allow hybrid participation from the homes. Idea to rotate branch meetings to RBL homes: invite a home representative to the January meeting, then hold a later meeting (April or July) at one of the homes; rotate to a different home each year. The branch wants to increase visibility of where funds go by visiting homes and holding meetings on-site, with a target later in the year (July or April discussed as options).

Annual conference: 7th–9th May at Telford; Jim Gibson volunteered to represent the branch; others welcome to attend.

Invictus Games 2027 in Birmingham: starts 10th July for one week. Branches are encouraged to consider supporting competitors/families.   Branch considering sponsoring a participant and their family (estimated £25,000), further follow-up was agreed to align with the branch funding cycle in January Team selection underway; squad to be confirmed by January 2027.   Women’s Section supporting families with approximately £300,000

Upcoming Commemorative Events in 2027

45th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict

Portsmouth Liberation Day Parade: A major parade will take place at the Falklands Memorial in Old Portsmouth, led by the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines. Mustering begins at 09:15/09:30 AM, with the service starting around 10:30 AM, followed by a march past.

Hythe War Memorial Service: A service is scheduled at the Hythe War Memorial starting at 10:45 AM on 14 June 2027.

Falkland Islands & UK Services: Official commemorations will be held in Stanley (Falkland Islands) at Christ Church Cathedral and the Liberation Monument, alongside events coordinated through the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College and the South Atlantic Medal Association.

50^th Op Banner Anniversary for Northern Ireland

The memorial will take place at the NMA on 14^th August 27, those eligible to attend can register before 30^th July 27.

Outreach & AGM Planning

Chair intends to publish next AGM details more broadly to attract local members who live nearby and to secure a larger room if attendance grows; the meeting will remain available on Teams to preserve hybrid access. Date for AGM: 13th October 2027

Meeting schedule for the coming year confirmed; 13th January, 14th April, 14th July and 13th October.

The Chair will circulate contact details to the committee to improve internal communication.

Next Steps

·      Draft and circulate AGM minutes (Karen)

Send draft to the chairman for review; he will return and Karen distributes to all members.

·      Send Karen the full branch email list (Brian)

Chairman to send within the next couple of days so Karen can distribute the minutes. 

·      Pursue Invictus Games Sponsorship (Brian)

 Investigate how the branch can sponsor a participant and family; update at January 2027 meeting once team selection is confirmed.

·      Invite a representative from the RBL homes to the January meeting

Aim to brief the branch on what the homes need and how the branch can better support them.

 Appendix 1.

ST JAMES'S BRANCH

TREASURERS REPORT

END OF YEAR REPORT

1 July 2025 – 30 June 2026

Opening Balances (as at 01 July 2025)

Lloyds Bank                                                    (A)      £     1,497.35    

Branch Funds Initiative (BFI)                            (B)      £ 237,410.76 

Receipts (01 July 2025 – 30 June 2026)

BFI membership, Interest & other income          (C)      £   48,516.86

Bank HQ RBL National Conference                   (D)      £        140.00

Payments (01 July 2025 – 30 June 2026

          Conferences, meeting and travel                      (E)      £       528.38

Bank Payments (Domain Name)                        (F)      £          33.00

Payments to other parts of RBL                        (G)     £165,000.00

Closing Balances (as at 30 June 2026)

Lloyds Bank (A + D – E & F)                                         £    1,075.97   

BFI (B + C - G)                                                             £ 120,927.62  

Available funds  as at 01 July 2026                                      £ 122,003.59