The British Federation of Brass Bands will officially become Brass Bands England following the unanimous passing of resolutions in Birmingham yesterday.

Dissolve

The move to dissolve the BFBB was passed at the Annual General Meeting of the organisation, where 28 of the 244 members also voted to put in motion the transfer of all assets to the new body through the appropriate legal processes.

BFBB Treasurer Nigel Morgan informed 4BR that the process will take a few months to complete as all necessary arrangements are put in place.

Set up

He also confirmed that in the interim, the current trustees and executive members of the BFBB will continue the work of the organisation until such time the new body is officially up and running.

"The passing of the resolutions means that we can go fully ahead with the creation of Brass Bands England. There is still work to do to officially set the body in motion but all correct steps have now been undertaken and passed by the current BFBB membership."

Quorum

For the first time in a number of years the AGM attracted a quorum of members to ensure that the resolutions could be voted upon, with representatives from individual bands and Associations in each English region making it through the traffic to the Holiday Inn in Birmingham.

Chairman challenged

Robert Morgan MBE was challenged by Sally Coleman of scaba for the post of BFBB Chairman for the coming year, but was successful in retaining his position, whilst all other post holders were re-elected unopposed.

2011 reports were given by both Liaison and Developments Officers Terry Luddington and Philip Watson, whilst Robert Morgan and Nigel Morgan gave detailed reports on the general and financial work of the BFBB in the past year.

We now look forward to a new and vibrant organisation, Brass Bands England, working on behalf of all our bandsRobert Morgan MBE

Look forward

The BFBB Chairman was delighted that the move to become Brass Bands England had now been achieved.

He told the meeting: "We now look forward to a new and vibrant organisation, Brass Bands England, working on behalf of all our bands."

Registry dispute

The ongoing dispute at the British Brass Band Registry still appears not to have reached any official conclusion however.

In a rather confusing U-turn, Robert Morgan MBE at first confirmed that the BFBB would not make any further comment concerning the matter as it was now in the hands of the organisation’s solicitors.

However, when subsequently asked if it would be a good idea to publish a press release to explain what work the BFBB is currently undertaking to deal with the backlog of work currently at the Registry in Barnsley, it was agreed that this would be undertaken.

Clear backlog

It was confirmed that BFBB Liaison Officer Terry Luddington would supervise the Registry with the necessary work to clear the backlog undertaken by volunteers. Bands would be encouraged to send all post to the BFBB Offices in Barnsley.