Report of meeting held Monday, 17th October 2016

Minutes of a meeting of the board of directors of the Company held at BBPA Offices, Brewers’ Hall, Aldermanbury Square, London, EC2V 7HR on Monday, 17th October 2016 at 12:30 pm

 

Present:

Sir Peter Luff (Chairman) – (PL)

George Barnes – (GB)

Mike Clist – (MC)

Brigid Simmonds – (BS)

Kate Nicholls – (KN)

Bill Sharpe – (BS)

Jim Cathcart – (JC)

Nick Griffin (NG)

Martin Caffrey (MCa)

Chris Welham (CW)

James Anderson (JA)

Fiona Moran – (FM)

 

Welcome:

 Sir Peter Luff welcomed James Anderson (as Chairman of PIRRS and PICA Services) and Chris Welham (as a new Pub Company representative), to the meeting.

1.Preliminary

The Chairman noted that the meeting had been duly convened, that a quorum of five directors was present in accordance with the Articles of Association and declared the meeting open.

2.Minutes of the last meeting 18th July 2016

The Chair proceeded with the meeting by requesting that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th July, 2016 be proposed as a true and accurate record of the discussions that took place.  The Board approved the minutes.

3. Matters arising from the minutes

      • SPL met with Paul Newby the new Pub’s Adjudicator. The Board agreed to invite Paul to the next PGB meeting.
      • The PIRRS, PICAS and BIIBAS web-sites have been updated and the rules for PIRRS and PICA-Services have been re-written and uploaded in accordance with the new Codes.

Action

      • FM to invite Paul Newby to the next meeting in February 2017.

PEAT Update

      • PEAT was launched in August 2016.
      • Scottish PEAT will launch in the next few days.
      • JC commented that he had taken PEAT and that he found it very good. It takes 1 – 1 ½ hours to complete which is a great improvement on its predecessor.

Action:

        • MC to send SPL the code to access PEAT.
        • MC will send a press release out once the Scottish PEAT is launched – it will be sense checked by BS/KN prior to publishing.

4.  PICA-Service update/cases

  • MC advised the Board the only one case was currently open, all others are now closed.

5PIRRS update on cases

  • MC commented that FM had been for a training session with Roger Vickers.
  • FM gave an update on open PIRRS Cases.
  • 12 active cases, 9 cases with the Independent Experts.
  • 2 cases are currently been reviewed by the LL and 1 case awaiting payment to proceed.
  • PGB Subscriptions

6. PGB Subscriptions

  • MC commented that some of the numbers provided by the pub companies need checking.
  • Currently received circa £60k expecting the total to be circa £80K. The difference was discussed and MC will discuss with individual companies.
  • We still need to invoice the Scotland pubs
  • FM to chase outstanding payments and numbers.
  • The old PGB account is now dormant with a balance of £10K that is there to be used if any cases pre-dating the 21st July occur. A decision will then be taken in twelve months time about any money still left in the old account.

 

7. Marilyn Ruberry – Queens Arms

  • MC gave a brief overview on the one open case.
  • The board held a discussion around “Can a free of Tie case go to PICAS”
  • The PGB concluded that it is clear that PICA Services applies as per the IFC6 to tied premises only. The one open case would be required to fund and take her case to court to find out whether in the specific individual case that a free-of-tie lease could be considered further by PICA Services.
  • JC commented that the Landlord in this case had contacted him for advice.

Action:

  • JC will draft a statement and will circulate to the board.

8.  Update on BIIBAS/PIRRS/PICAS/PEAT/TAW

       BIIBAS

  • MC commented that the IFC 6 and Company Codes of Practice have been left on the BIIBAS website and will be left there for a period of one year.
  • Any cases brought prior to 21st July can therefore review the Codes for reference.

        TAW

9.  MRO Update

  • MC, KN and MCa attended and presented at the Punch road shows.
  • MC has received 265 helpline calls on MRO.
  • MC advised that PIRRS approved surveyors are available to act for tenants and charge £750 outside London and £1,000 in London. All details are on the BII website.
  •  KN commented that there were common concerns mainly around the training of BDM’s. 

 10.  PIRRS for Over 500 Companies

  • JC circulated the draft paper to the board.
  • JC discussed the paper with the potential to use PIRRS for disputes providing any application for MRO had ended.
  • JC commented that his concern was around the tenant who had a four year rent review cycle, they would like to use PIRRS but this then drags on for a 5 year period.
  • The board discussed the issue and the next step would be for KN and JC to draft a statement to the board this week on the 5 year trigger.
  • SPL commented the paper was very good.

11.  AOB

  • MC met with the lead official in Scotland. He was very pleased with the production of the code for Scotland. He was not happy with tenants having to travel to London for PICAS case hearings. It was discussed and agreed that hearings should be held in Edinburgh / Glasgow.
  • Steve McGowan has suggested using the TLT offices in Edinburgh or Glasgow for any hearings.
  • The PGB members were happy with the proposal and MC said he would take it to the next stage.   
  • JC commented that it would be useful to have a separate area on the website for the Scottish Codes / Procedures.

Action:

  • MC and FM to look at the Website to incorporate the Scottish codes / procedures.
  • MC to speak to companies regarding the annual statement.

12.  Date of Next Meeting

  • A discussion was held and the board agreed to hold meetings three times a year.

Action:

  • FM to send Doodle Poll for February, June and October.

 

 

 

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