Campaign is over, say 'vindicated' National Trust protesters

A PRESSURE group set up by disaffected members demanding greater transparency in how the National Trust for Scotland is governed will disband after the annual general meeting today.

Bill Fraser, spokesman for In Trust for Scotland, said the group felt vindicated in its campaign after former Scottish Parliament presiding officer George Reid carried out an independent review that highlighted failings in the organisation.

He said: "We've always campaigned for more transparency in the way the trust was governed and we feel we have achieved our objective with Mr Reid's report. We feel this isn't the end but the beginning of a new way forward. But the real test will be in the adoption of his recommendations and how they are implemented.

"It is the responsibility of the entire membership and new governance structure to remain vigilant and make sure needed changes are timeously, transparently and wisely implemented."

Members at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow will consider approving the recommendations of the independent strategic review.

However, a members' resolution in the agenda states: "There has been no visible improvement in governance by the unwieldy council, board or executive staff of the NTS."

Examples given include claims of "quantities of valuable 'spare' furniture eg Bute House, Wemyss House being put into expensive storage or sold and undisclosed sales benefits from a number of properties".

The motion calls for a number of measures including council and executive staff actively consulting with volunteer guides and local memberships and a reaffirmation of the call at the 2009 AGM for a business plan for each property. Last year about 600 members attended the AGM in Edinburgh.