Advice from Privy Council Office, 19 April 2004

Comment by John Hunt, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee

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Comment by John Hunt, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee

30 April 2004

Dear fellow SRP members,

It is with much regret that I have to report that the Society has now received a response from the Privy Council, turning down our application for a Charter. The Privy Council’s letter is posted together with this message on the website so that you can see the detail. The two main reasons for our inadmissibility are that our contribution to the field is not indispensable, and that we do not represent a discrete profession or body of opinion. We shall no doubt ponder these views for a while.

The decision comes as a great disappointment to many of us in SRP; the current venture began in 1998, and many members have worked hard, preparing drafts, attending meetings, consulting you all and outside bodies, discussing, liaising. I remain convinced we put together an excellent case, and I want to thank everyone involved for the effort put in. Far from it being wasted, I believe it has made us stronger and more focussed in our aim to develop as a professional body. And therein lies the key to where we must go from here. Even though we may not have a certificate from the Queen, we can still concentrate on providing the best possible services to members, the most relevant scientific programme and publications, the most helpful of professional support, at the most advantageous cost. And that is what we shall strive to continue to do.

John Hunt
Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee