From Mr C. Nebrensky, MRPharmS, and others
SIR,-We write further to Miss Lewis's reply to the letter of Phillips et al regarding the purchase of a flat by the Society (PJ, March 11, p402).
We found her response entirely unsatisfactory because it failed to answer the major point raised, namely, that the Council has not discussed the purchase of the flat openly during a Council meeting.
The byelaws of the Society, in Section XIV para 3, state: "The property and funds of the Society, other than moneys from time to time in the hands of the secretary, shall not be disposed of, or otherwise dealt with, except in pursuance of an order of the Council."
It would appear that the Council has been bypassed by the decision to purchase the flat. Contracts have been exchanged for the purchase and a deposit of £58,500 paid. This process has not been under the direction of the Council.
The Council was given an outline plan which included the proposal to purchase outside property, under a review of space utilisation at Lambeth. This does not sanction the purchase of a flat without the Council's approval.
Members of the Council have not been given the opportunity to debate the purchase openly. They are the elected representatives of the membership, therefore, the decision not to involve them in the purchase of this property is unacceptable.
We therefore seek clarification on the following issues: (1) Who authorised this purchase? (2) Why was Council bypassed? (3) Who will be made accountable for this?
This matter goes far beyond the (substantial) outlay of what is ultimately Society members' funds. The fundamental issue is whether control of the organisation has been wrested from the hands of the democratically elected representatives of the membership.
Cyril Nebrensky, East Molesey, Surrey
Anthony Cox, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands
Paul Burgess, Kingston, Surrey
Sally Haynes, Birmingham
Lu Shin Wong, Doncaster
John Young, Cumbernauld
Howard Fox, Dorchester
Andrew Watson, Rotherham
Richard Eyles, Waltham Chase
Nigel Simmons, Huntingdon
Katie Hatfield, Hagley
See this week's Council report (p583) - Editor.