Chairmans Corner
Welcome to Chairman’s Corner.
Since becoming Chairman at the AGM in 2006, we have seen a number of changes in the way we do things at SCOS. I must add however, that although I may have made a few strong suggestions, it has been the hard work and dedication of the management committee that successfully facilitated the changes.
I am a firm believer that SCOS exists to provide a service to the Scottish groups and their members, and not the other way round as is often the misconception. SCOS were also known for only existing to organise an annual conference, and for many years, that is exactly what we did do. I do not wish this message to sound like the previous incumbents managed the affairs of the Chamber in an inappropriate fashion, as this is not the case, and I thank them for ‘setting the scene.’
However, since the increase in the amount and the flow of information on the internet and through various other free publications, the way SCOS operated simply had to change in order for us to compete.
We first of all reviewed and changed the constitution, which provides us with a more modern, flexible and manageable document, fully compliant with modern governance requirements whilst maintaining our Charitable Status, and allows us a bit more flexibility in the running of the organisation. We have also created a rolling action plan, which is discussed and updated at each quarterly meeting. The action plan will be posted on the website in due course. We looked at our core objectives in the creation of the plan, and our aim is to satisfy those objectives within a reasonable and acceptable timeframe.
This last year has been quite an exciting time for the Chamber. The annual conference was held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The format of the conference was changed to ensure inter activity with the delegates, and the associated exhibition was a resounding success according to the many exhibitors. The Lord Cullen Award Scheme entries identified a specific initiative which we intend to utilise for the future benefit of the Chamber, its associated Groups and their member companies. (More information on this will be revealed in due course. The evening before the conference; we held an official dinner to celebrate 60 years in existence – a land mark anniversary worthy of celebration. Lord Cullen, our Honorary President for many years joined us and some other distinguished guests, including Stewart Campbell HSE Director Scotland; Julie Silvester, Chief Executive of IIRSM; Julian Davis / Head of IOSH Scotland; Karen McDonnell, head of RoSPA Scotland, and many others. David Leckie, a Senior Partner with McLay Murray and Spens provided the after dinner entertainment.
With respect to the award scheme, I congratulate Fife Council for winning the Lord Cullen Trophy, the Fife Chamber of Safety for retaining the Albert Porter Rose bowl, Robertson Highland & Northern of the newly formed Highland and Island Group for winning the SCOS Innovation award and finally Robertson Central & Tayside of SHEF(S) for winning the award for the new category in support of the Chamber aims and objectives, whilst attempting to increase the health and safety awareness of pupils within the education establishments and, with a view to in some way assisting to prepare them for the working environment.
Through the association with SGUK, you may be aware that we support the formal Partnership Agreement with the HSE, and also the Memorandum of Understanding with the IIRSM. You will get further details of these very important commitments on each of the respective web sites.
There is also a semi formal association with the DWP, and in particular with Lord McKenzie of Luton. Parliamentary Undersecretary of State (Lords Minister), who has been supporting the groups’ movement throughout the UK. He has intimated to me that he wishes to widen that support and attend and support functions in Scotland. To this end, and in support of the Chambers requirement to provide a better service to the Scottish Groups and their member companies, we will be launching an appropriate initiative in June of this year, at which Lord McKenzie has agreed to do the Keynote Speech. I have also been invited at a later date to be his guest at a private lunch in the ‘House’, where the Chamber and safety groups will be further discussed.
I would finally like to thank all who has contributed to the continued success of the Chamber, particularly those who have supported and ‘lived through’ the recent changes.
If anyone wishes to discuss personally any appropriate issues, my contact details are as detailed below.
Norman Stevenson
Chairman
07810 857088
01786 431662
n.stevenson@robertson.co.uk
