New Association Structure
Proposed
The LP Gas Association (LPGA) and the Association
of Liquid Gas & Equipment Distributors (ALGED) had their
first joint meeting in October, during which the proposal for
a merger of the two associations was discussed. Steve Walmsley,
chairman of ALGED, and John Tolchard, chairman of the LPGA, presented
on the likely structure of any joint association.
After its inquiry
into domestic bulk lpg supply, the Competition Commission has
stated that lpg industry associations must have
both a manned customer telephone helpline and a website containing
consumer information on switching between suppliers. Other issues
influencing the case for a joint association include the upcoming
Energy Review, for which the industry needs to promote the environmental
benefits of lpg in non mains gas areas, and the need for the
early identification of European issues that affect the UK industry
with the cooperation of the AEGPL.
Steve said that the risks of
refusing change included the perception by stakeholders of a
fragmented industry and the inability to
implement the remedies imposed by the Competition Commission.
He said that the opportunities for one industry body included
the effective positioning of lpg in the UK energy mix, successful
lobbying, real benefits for members and developing the industry
skills base.
The structure of any new association would
include a small core of employees and a board elected at the
AGM that
would select
a management team. There would also be a technical and safety
team with technical expertise to address safety standards, and
an external affairs team to look at lpg’s markets and target
audiences.
The employees would include a managing director,
a technical and safety manager, a communications manager and
an
autogas manager.
The board would meet twice yearly to define
strategy, agree priorities and approve the budget, and would
include the
managing director
of the new association,
who would not vote, and representatives from:
- Two large gas retailers
- Two oil companies
- Two regional gas retailers
- Two equipment supply
companies
- One autogas equipment/supply/installer company
- One
other representative.
The management team would meet four times
per year and be composed of the chairman of the board, the technical
and safety, communications
and autogas managers, and four members of the association.
In
2007, ALGED’s spring and autumn meetings will also be
joint meetings – held on March 29/30 and October 4/5 at
the Hinckley Island Hotel, Hinckley – and ALGED members
are invited to attend the LPGA’s AGM on May 16–18
in Edinburgh.
Members of both associations will have the
opportunity to discuss and debate the proposals in 2007 and,
if members decide
to proceed,
it is anticipated that the new association will come into being
in 2008.
Return to December/January
2007 News
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