AGM 2009

This message was given by Alastair Cameron, the SMG Convenor the 2009 AGM:

Given the financial difficulties created in the current year by the lack of core funds from the Scottish Arts Council, the Board of the Scots Music Group has reluctantly told City of Edinburgh Council that as of 31 December 2009, we will no longer be able to pay them for the services of Sheila Capewell, the SMG Administrator. Sheila is the only member of the SMG staff employed by the City Council. As a result of our action, Sheila will be made redundant, and the essential administrative work will be covered by the other two members of staff and volunteers. At present SMG has sufficient funds for Clare and Ros’s posts but funding for administration has proved impossible to find.

We have thought long and hard about this, and do it as a measure needed to help us balance the books in a difficult period. As a charity and Company Limited by Guarantee, SMG cannot undertake activities for which it has insufficient funds.

We are hugely grateful to Sheila for her commitment over many years of dedication to the work of the Scots Music Group, both when it was part of the Adult Learning Project and since we became an independent body. Sheila has known about his for 2 months now and, whilst sorry to leave SMG after 16 years, she feels that it will give her the opportunity to pursue new ventures and is a good time for her personally to move on.

Alastair Cameron
Scots Music Group Convenor