Archive News - Members' Meetings

August 2007 - Summary

The Members of Medical Research Scotland met on Friday, 3rd August, 2007. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Membership - The Chairman welcomed Dr Denise Coia to her first meeting as a Member and also noted with pleasure that Dr Graham Beastall (recently retired from the membership) had been awarded a CBE in HM The Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to laboratory medicine, commenting that the award was very well deserved.
Funding for Research - the Members formally confirmed the award of the second Tyson Research Fellowship to Dr Anna Sutherland and, after discussion, agreed that the Fellowship had a potentially valuable role and to review it in a further year's time. After consideration and discussion of all the applications received and the referees' reports on them, the Members agreed to award three Research Project Grants. The Members had previously scored a number of Progress and Final Reports submitted by current and recent grantholders and these were discussed. The report of the Scientific Adviser on the Research Open Day held in May was noted.
Standard Conditions Applying to the Award of Medical Research Scotland Funding - the Members approved the revised version of these and thanked Ms Nicolson and Dr Macnab for the time they had taken discussing the changes with representatives of the Scottish Universities and for reaching this conclusion.
Annual Report & Accounts - the Members approved for signature the Annual Report & Accounts for the year to 31st March 2007, subject to some minor adjustments to the wording of the text. The Members also reviewed and commented on the proof copy of the proposed Medical Research Scotland Review 2006-07, which is intended will be used for marketing and fundraising purposes. It was noted that although this only contains a short financial summary, the full Accounts will be readily available on request to the Secretaries. Subject to some adjustments in the balance of content, this document was also approved by the Members.
Investments - the Members received and noted a report from the Investment Managers on investment performance for the three-month period to 30th June, 2007. The Members agreed that henceforward, there should be no direct investment in alcohol-related stock.
Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including the continued development of the online applications and review system.

February 2007 - Summary

The Members of Medical Research Scotland met on Friday, 2nd February, 2007. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Membership - The Chairman welcomed the four recently-appointed new Members to their first meeting and received the congratulations of all present on her award of an OBE in the recent Honours List. It was noted that Dr Graham Beastall was attending his last meeting, as he would be retiring from membership at the end of March having served two terms as a Member and had also been Deputy Chairman for the past year.
Funding for Research - after consideration and discussion of all the applications received and the referees' reports on them, the Members agreed to award two Research Project Grants. The Members had previously scored a number of Progress and Final Reports submitted by current and recent grantholders and these were discussed. It was noted that the annual Grantholder's Research Open Day would take place on Tuesday 29th May.
Investments - the Members received and noted a report from the Investment Managers on investment performance for the period ended 31st December 2006. There was subsequently discussion on ethical aspects of the charity's investment policy.
Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including its Code of Conduct for Members, which had been reviewed and revised following independence.

August 2006 - Summary

The Members of Medical Research Scotland met on Friday, 4th August, 2006. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Report & Accounts for Medical Research Scotland for the period 1st August 2005 to 31st March 2006 - having been circulated previously, the Members approved these for signature and agreed that they be given a limited printed circulation and a version made available on the Medical Research Scotland website.
Funding for Research - after consideration and discussion of all the applications received and the referees' reports on them, the Members agreed to award four Research Project Grants and confirmed the award (made earlier in the year following interview) of the Medical Research Scotland/Mrs Jean V. Baxter Medical Research Fellowship and the Medical Research Scotland/Mrs Mary Tyson Nursing, Midwifery & AHP Research Fellowship. The Members also considered and scored a number of Progress and Final Reports submitted by current and recent grantholders. Following detailed discussion, the Members further agreed to make significant changes to the level and type of awards available to applicants in future years.
Investments - the Members received and noted a report from the Investment Manager on investment performance for the period ended 30th June 2006.
Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including the operation and development of its web-based grant application systems.

February 2006 - Summary

The Members met on Friday, 3rd February, 2006. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Annual Report & Accounts for the year to 31st July 2005 - The Members learned that the Annual Report & Accounts for the year to 31st July 2005 were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 24th January, 2006 and that printed copies would be distributed by mail shortly and a version made available on the SHERT website.
Membership - The Chairman welcomed Mr John Naylor to the meeting as one of two newly-appointed Members. The second new Member, Professor Ian Greer, had been unable to attend the meeting. It was noted that four further potential new Members would be being interviewed in the near future. If all were subsequently appointed, the total membership of SHERT would be 13, with a majority of scientific/medical Members.
Awards - After consideration and discussion of all the applications received and the referees' reports on them, the Members agreed to award three Research Project Grants. The Members also considered and scored a number of Progress and Final Reports submitted by current and recent grantholders.
Investment Matters - The Trust's investment manager attended to report on investment performance for the period ended 31st December 2005. The Members approved changes to the Investment Management Agreement in light of the wider investment powers now in force by virtue of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Secretarial and Administrative matters - The Members discussed a number of matters including the operation and progress on development of its web-based grant application and review systems.

November 2005 - Summary

The Members of SHERT met on Friday, 11th November, 2005. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Annual Report & Accounts for the year to 31st July 2005 - the Members received and approved the 51st Annual Report & Accounts and authorised them to be signed. These will be forwarded to the Auditor General for Scotland for laying before the Scottish Parliament, prior to publication.
Investments - the Trust's investment managers attended to report to the Members on investment performance for the quarter ended 30th September, 2005.
Independence - the Secretaries confirmed that SHERT had become an independent charity with effect from 1st November 2005. The Members then considered and approved a number of documents relating to the proposed modus operandi of the newly-independent SHERT, including Procedures, Standing Orders and the procedures for the appointment of new Members.
Membership - the Members noted that Professor Jane Bower had resigned with effect from 1st November. She had been reappointed, beyond her original term of office, until SHERT's independence. The Members had previously agreed that it would be necessary, following the granting of independent status and the ending of the close relationship with the Chief Scientist Biomedical & Therapeutic Research Committee, for there to be an increase in the number of scientific Members. Accordingly, a selection process would be put in train immediately.
Research Fellowship for members of the Nursing, Midwifery & Allied Health Professions - The Members confirmed that the availability of this new award (see also below) should be publicised widely within the relevant academic and professional sectors in the near future.
Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including the operation and development of its web-based grant application systems.

July 2005 - Summary

The Members of SHERT met on Friday, 29th July, 2005. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Research Grants - After consideration of the applications, the reports of independent reviewers and the advice of the BTRC, the Members decided to offer Research Project Grants to five applicants.
Change of Status - the Secretaries reported to the Members that the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill had completed its passage through the Scottish Parliament on 30th June and that, following the granting of Royal Assent, it was anticipated that SHERT would become an independent charity in October 2005.
Finance - the Trust's Investment Managers attended and reported to the Members on financial matters in general and the Members approved the notes on investment policy for inclusion with the Accounts, noting that changes may be necessary in future years, to comply with the detailed terms of the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005.
Standing Orders - the Members considered a draft and approved it, subject to a few minor amendments.
Membership - following discussion, draft procedures for the appointment and rotation of Members of the independent SHERT were approved subject to a few minor amendments.
Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including drafts of the Trust's Annual Plan 2005-06, statements on Corporate Governance & Internal Control, Reserves Policy & Risk Management and the Audit Plan. All these were approved. The Members also considered other matters relating to publicity, marketing and fundraising once SHERT becomes independent. The operation of the first phase of the new website-based online grant application system was demonstrated.

November 2004 - Summary

The Members of SHERT met on Friday, 12th November, 2004. The main points of discussion were as follows:

Annual Report & Accounts for the year to 31st July 2004 - the Members received, approved and authorised to be signed the 50th Annual Report & Accounts. These were then forwarded to the Auditor General for Scotland for laying before the Scottish Parliament prior to publication.
Investments - the Trust's investment managers attended to report to the Members on investment performance for the quarter ended 30th September 2004.
Change of Status - the Secretaries reported to the Members on discussions with the Scottish Executive about drafting the sections of the Executive's proposed Bill which would enable the removal of NDPB status from SHERT.
Membership - the Members agreed to propose to the Chief Scientist Office that Members whose terms of office would normally come to an end in January 2005 be invited to continue to serve for at least the period which would ensure a smooth transition to independence for SHERT.
Secretarial/Administrative matters - the Members considered several items, including the operation of its web-based online grant application system and outstanding issues regarding its Fellowship & Scholarship awards.

July 2004 - Summary

The Members of SHERT met for a full Trust grant-awarding meeting on Friday, 16th July, 2004. The following summarises the points of discussion:

Research Grant Awards - the Members considered the applications received and the peer-review reports on them and, after discussion awarded two grants.
Reports - the Members considered Progress and Final reports, as well as "post-completion check-up reports" on a number of grants previously awarded.
Investments - the Trust's investment managers attended to report to the Members on investment performance for the quarter ended 30th June 2004.
Future Status/Independence - the Secretaries reported to the Members on discussions with the Scottish Executive about the change of SHERT's status to that of an independent charity, which has been approved in principle by the Minister for Health and is awaiting a suitable legislative opportunity.
Freedom of Information - the Members considered and agreed to implement the actions required of SHERT to comply with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Audit and Secretarial matters - the Members approved the Trust's statements on Corporate Governance and Internal Controls and also approved new draft Annual and Five-year Plans.