Council members have overwhelmingly voted down a motion of no confidence in the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs’ Board of Management.
The dramatic turn of events began after the NFYFC Board of Management decided to cancel the organisation’s 2019 annual convention, as well as future years of the event.
The controversial decision was made after some members made national headlines engaging in anti-social behaviour while the event was on in Blackpool.
A clear majority (83%) of all Council members present, which included representatives from County Federations across England and Wales, voted against the motion of a vote of no confidence.
During the meeting, two amendments to the vote of no confidence were put forward and both were also defeated.
The members of Council and the Board of Management are committed to working together to develop the strategic plan and ensure the Federation continues to support thousands of rural young people.
‘We all love this organisation’
The council also agreed to appoint a Working Group of YFC members to lead on the membership’s input to the organisation’s strategic plan.
NFYFC’s chairman of Council, Lynsey Martin, from Kent YFC, said in a letter issued to all members following the meeting: “As I saw throughout National Young Farmers’ Week, we all love this organisation and are proud of what it achieves.
“That was evident this weekend when YFC members represented your counties and are helping to shape future plans.”
The weekend also included meetings and reports from each of the five steering groups on issues relating to agriculture, competitions, events and marketing, youthwork, travel, training, rural and youth-related issues.
