Council met on the 23 June at Fenton House, 122 Wells Road, Bath
Mr. Blake gave an up to date report on the Gift Aid claims following the mailing to members who had not already Gift Aided their Society subscriptions.  All claims had now been submitted going back to the tax year 2004/2005 and the first payment had been received which included an element of interest.
Council received the latest membership numbers showing a down turn of 75 from the previous month although the total membership continues to be over 10000.
Mrs. MacDonald reported that all the award winners for 2009 had accepted. Noted that the winner of the Centenary Award would be collecting her award in person and it was discussed how best to use this occasion.
Mr. Blake updated Council on the progress with the implementation of the Health & Safety requirements.  He advised that all issues raised in the Ellis Whittam audit had been addressed including a risk assessment, work station assessment and PAT testing of the electrical equipment and in his opinion the necessary actions had been taken to comply with various items of legislation and the findings of the audit.

The audit summary prepared by Moore Stephens was reviewed.  Note was taken of the need identified to provide information in the 2009 Report concerning public benefit. This will require Data and it was agreed to write to Groups and Regions asking for the numbers attending events and whether they were members or non-members.
Approval was given to the recommendations from the various panels that had sat since the last Council meeting and for those who had qualified through the Exemption process.
Dr Hallett FRPS joined the meeting to present a review and recommendations from the Distinctions Advisory Board (DAB) concerning the composition of the Fellowship Board and its procedures.  The important moderating role of the Board was discussed and endorsed.  It was agreed that at its next meeting the Fellowship Board would comprise members of the DAB and that the role of the Panel Chairmen would be to present and support the recommendations of their panels.  
Council noted that Ms. Lesley Goode, Exhibitions Manager, would be going to Arles in July.
The catalogue for the 152nd. International Print Exhibition had been reprinted and sent to all parties concerned.  A meeting with Allen & Overy to review the opening of the !52nd International Print Exhibition is planned for immediately after the August Council meeting.
Mr. Birch reported on a proposed meeting, in July, of interested parties for the Infra Red Exhibition.
Council was informed that Think Photography 09 would not take place in 2009. However it was agreed that following the successful event in 2008 arrangements should be made to hold a similar event in 2010.– It was agreed to support the International Garden Photographer of the Year Competition (IGPOTY) with a one year free membership subscription, a copy of Portfolio ONE and a Gold Patronage Medal.
Mr. Birch advised that the publisher of Imaging Abstracts had terminated the agreement following a take-over 3 months earlier of PIRA. 
Dr. Kaye and Mr. Birch gave an updated report on their continuing work on the website dealing specifically with the CMS and access to it.  A meeting with Omni had been arranged for the 7th July to continuing these discussions and also to plan the population of the re-designed site.
Council approved the appointment of Darren McCloughlin as Regional Organiser of Northern Ireland. 
It was agreed to continue the agreement with the Beijing Chapter for a further period of one year.
Council were advised of the forthcoming EGM of the Colour Group on 27th June to formally vote on the cessation of the Group at the end of 2009.

Visual Journalism Group – Mr. Birch agreed to progress the rejuvenation of the Group and arrange a meeting of those members who had shown an interest in helping to run Group. 
Mr. Robertson advised of interest in the possible creation of a RPS Chapter in India.
Council was informed that the Leica M6 Centenary camera would be accepted as a donation by the National Media Museum for inclusion in the RPS Collection.
Mr. Blake advised that the Society had formally supported the CORPS initiative with the Museum and de Montfort University.
It was agreed to invite Mr. Paul Goodman, Head of Knowledge, at the National Media Museum in September 2009 to attend the September Council meeting..
The Society had been approached by the British Photographic Council asking the Society to consider joining the Council.  It was agreed to ask for more details. 
The next meeting will be held on the 21 July 2009 in Bath.