Notice is hereby given of proposed minor changes to the Order that governs the British Wool Marketing Board (“British Wool”).  These proposed changes have been made in consultation with Defra with the aim of allowing British Wool to operate more effectively and efficiently, and to better serve the needs of our members.

The proposed changes include updating various paragraphs of the Order to allow for modern methods of meetings, elections, voting, polls, correspondence, and other forms of communication that have emerged in recent years.  They also add an ability for the chair to call board meetings in case the secretary is absent. It is believed that these changes will help to reduce costs whilst making easier for all British Wool members to participate in its activities and have their voices heard.

Three further paragraphs that are now out of date are proposed to be removed or updated, including, removing the 65-year age limit for board members as it is not in line with the Equalities Act 2010. It is believed that these changes will help to ensure that the Order remains relevant and effective for years to come.

The proposed changes also include a change to the accounts’ preparation deadline, from four to six months, in line with other public bodies, to allow for more time for the inclusion of more post-year-end information during their preparation.

Finally, changes are proposed to allow for the appointment, by majority vote of a body comprising the members of the board, of up to three extra board members to bring additional skills and experience to the board as may be required from time to time. This is expected to enable British Wool to better represent the interests of members, and to ensure that the board is a diverse and experienced board with a broad range of skills and expertise.

Members can review these changes in full on the British Wool website (www.britishwool.org.uk/proposed-amendments-to-the-british-wool) and/or can request a hard copy by post by contacting the board secretary ([email protected]). Members are encouraged to provide their feedback to the board secretary ([email protected]) by Friday 23 June 2023. Full details of the process for changing the 1950 Order and members rights are set out on the British Wool website using the link above. 

The Board hope that these proposed changes demonstrate its ongoing commitment to operating British Wool more effectively and efficiently and believes that these proposed changes will help to ensure the business remains strong and effective for years to come, while serving the best interests of members.

By order of the board

Andy Whelan (Secretary)

British Wool Marketing Board

Wool House, Sidings Close

Canal Roard

Bradford

BD2 1AZ

17 May 2023