The AGM held on the 14th September 2019 heard from Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG) chair, Bob Dickie who highlighted some outstanding achievements of the charity in the past year, which includes a record amount of damages, workers compensation and benefits recovered for members.
This year has seen important changes, and special mention was made of the outstanding contribution of retiring Secretary, Hope Robertson, and the recruitment of Theresa Jones as Charity Co-Coordinator.
Provost William Hendrie, after recognising the important work of the Group for the local community, then oversaw the re-election of all current board members.
A loyal supporter of the Charity, constituency MP, Martin Docherty-Hughes then spoke of his work in Asbestos Committees at Westminster, and the frustrations faced in pursuing the interests of asbestos victims and holding the UK Government to account in the face of Parliament's prorogation.
Bill Kidd MSP then spoke of the prominent role played by campaigners such as Clydebank Asbestos Group, working alongside MSP, trade unionists and others to achieve legislative change to benefit the lives of asbestos victims and their families.
Fraser Simpson, head of specialist Industrial Disease team at Digby Brown, then provided a summary of legal developments in the past year. Highlights included the achievement of the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK in their ongoing litigation against Cape Insulation to force disclosure of documentation which will greatly assist asbestos victims to secure justice, and identifying the need to campaign to amend the Mesothelioma Act 2014 to create a fund of last resort to benefit all asbestos victims.
The AGM concluded with the presentation of awards to retiring board members, Hope Robertson and Dennis Cairns, and long-standing members including Joan Baird in recognition of their outstanding contributions over the years. Current volunteers Ann Dalziel, Christine Sayer, Maria Flanagan and Robert Dickie, were also recognised for their long service and dedication to CAG.
