This year's meeting was due to take place at Plas y Brenin. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

The British Mountaineering Council is considering holding its annual meeting in a ‘virtual’ form this year.

The council, which represents climbers, mountaineers and hillwalkers in England and Wales, was due to stage its AGM in June in north Wales.

But it is asking for members’ views on the proposal to run the meeting as a webinar in the light of the coronavirus crisis.

The annual meeting, which is open to the council’s 85,000 members, was due to be held at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia in June.

The BMC board, backed by its national council, proposed the move to an online meeting. A BMC spokesperson said: “This is in line with advice from a range of official sources which indicate that AGMs should continue to be held, but through means that are compatible with the need to safeguard the health and safety of participants, specifically by following the government’s strict ‘social distancing’ advice.

“We propose to adhere to the date that has already been publicised, 13 June 2020, starting at 3pm and will plan for a two-hour session.”

The BMC said the core agenda will include the minutes of last year’s meeting; the annual report and accounts for the 2019 financial year; appointment of auditors; and ratification votes for the four most recent director appointments.

“It is also intended that there should be forward-looking presentations, with opportunity for questions and answers,” the spokesperson said. “The themes will relate to the BMC’s strategic intent, set in the context of the impact of the Covid-19 situation on the organisation and on our sector.

The council has temporarily closed its Didsbury offices. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

“There is a requirement to provide an opportunity for members to propose resolutions, but we do not encourage this due to the constraints of the virtual medium. The BMC has two significant work programmes that have generated possible changes to the articles, but we do not propose to progress any major or complex elements of these at this AGM.

“If there are matters on which additional engagement with members will be beneficial ahead of the AGM, this will be facilitated through Q&As or webinar discussions.

“Members are welcome to offer views on the proposal prior to 8 April and the issuing of the formal notification of the AGM.”

The BMC closed its Manchester office in March, with staff working from home.

Comments can be made via the BMC’s website.