DT Election 2003 - Questionnaire

Yes to financial. Not clear what ‘otherwise' means. 

Absolutely. All benefits should be recorded and available for the membership. Transparency is paramount. It is unreasonable that members should have to wait months and months for the accounts of either body in order to see if any benefit has been gained.

Yes, The D/T membership as owners of AFC Wimbledon have a right to know who is benefiting financially or otherwise from the organisation.

The issue is about maintaining the Honesty and Integrity of the organisation in the eyes of the membership. Absolute transparency will help achieve this.

Yes, I think it is important that these things are open and that the Trust and PLC are accountable to fans for the money they spend on their behalf. Without such a register, there is a danger that fans may begin to feel that important financial decisions are being taken without them having an ability to question whether these are appropriate, or that a ‘clique' is developing. If details of benefits are publicly available, fans can judge for themselves whether or not they are appropriate. In particular, it is important that members are able to see whether the benefits any individual receives make it inappropriate for them to represent them as a Dons Trust Board member, due to a conflict of interest. I also believe the reasons for any benefits being given should be recorded in the register, along with the reason why the task for which payment has been made could not have been done on a voluntary basis. I accept there will be a need to make payments for some tasks, but believe that, given our debts, we must make sure any payments or other benefits given are both necessary and transparent.

Yes, and any other subsidiary. These should be declared especially for DT board and subsidiary board members alike. I think it should be wider than just direct dealings and should also include the acceptance of any benefit from contacts, customers or suppliers. Free goods or discounts not available to all members must be declared. All complimentary tickets to games or complimentary access to the President's should be declared accompanied by a supporting reason for such.

Yes I do favour a register of interests.

No. Not for all members.

Yes.

If members feel that such a register would enhance the openness of the Trust then I would be happy to endorse it. In the case of the Dons Trust this should not be an issue. Rule 72 of the Dons Trust constitution says that “no Society Board member is to have any material financial interest personally or as a member of a firm or company or as a director or other officer of a business trading for profit or in any other way whatsoever in any contract or other transaction with the Society” (taken from the DT website). However it is unclear how this rule should be interpreted with regards to the Plc.

Yes, transparency is important.

Fine by me.

In principle this sounds a good idea, in practice it could become a politically driven device. I think there has been too much unfounded insinuation that people are on the make in some way, this question and others herein serve only to give credibility to those malicious rumours, while doing nothing to highlight the selfless contribution of a number of individuals who are the target of those rumours.

How far should this extend? Should a voting member also declare their interests? I am unsure how workable this would be.

Yes , We should all be open as it's the members Money that is being spent. I have never taken a penny for what I do and I do not plan to take any in the future, it costs me money and I am prepared to do it for the benefit of the Club.

No. I don't think its fair that somebody working in the tea bar has to reveal their earnings if they are a DT member (if anything this would persuade them against being a DT member). Also I don't think its fair that any players should have to reveal their individual wage/expenses if they are a member of the DT.

However, I am very much open to the argument that DT board members could have a register of interests. I have no qualms about a DT board member being paid as long as the process was open, quotes were tendered for etc..

Yes but I would suggest only for amounts above say £100=

I would not oppose that. Do you mean all members or just board members?

I'd prefer to receive assurances that all work that is paid for by the DT and its subsidiaries has been awarded after being put out to tender, except for the smallest jobs. Keeping such a register would be complex, intrusive into people's private lives and their business practices and almost impossible to police. Remember that there are already legal requirements to disclose transactions between the directors and the company.

I am troubled by the constant calling for disclosure of what people take out of the club with rarely a call for recognition of what they put in, often at no charge or “at cost”.

Yes