Members shared their views and voted on three resolutions, including offering a minimum 50% plant-based menu across the Trust’s 300 food and drink outlets. Other resolutions covered the Trust’s response to the climate and ecological emergency, and the Climate and Nature Bill, which was recently introduced as a private member’s bill. Resolutions are proposed, seconded and seconded by members of the National Trust.

A summary of the results of the voting on the agreements is as follows:

Resolution 1. Members’ resolution on the choice of plant-based foods in catering establishments: approved (57,498 in favor/20,111 against)

Resolution 2. Members’ resolution on strengthening the response to the climate and ecological emergency – approved (63,251 in favor / 13,866 against)

Resolution 3. Members’ resolution on the climate and nature bill: approved (62,445 in favor, 13,747 against)

The full text of the resolutions is available at

Trustees will consider the results of the resolutions later this fall before updating members.

René Olivieri, chairman of the board of directors of the National Trust, said: “I thank all the members who took the time to join us at our Annual General Meeting today, and the thousands of people who voted in resolutions and in our elections over the past few months. I always value this opportunity to talk to members and hear their opinions about our work and what is important to them.

“As members heard today, this was our last Annual General Meeting before we launch a new 10-year strategy in January. It provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on all that the Trust and its supporters have achieved over the last decade and prepare for the next. We hope to share more information about this soon.

“The Board will now take time to reflect on the results of the vote and we will be back in touch with members through our regular communications in the coming weeks.”

Members also voted in elections for the National Trust Council. The Council is the governing body that appoints the trustees and helps oversee and support their work. The Council is made up of 36 members who have extensive experience in everything from education and agriculture to nature and the built environment. Half of the Council members are appointed directly by members and the other half by organizations with a vested interest in the Trust’s work. These organizations are known as appointing bodies and elections for appointing bodies are held every six years. This year, National Trust members voted to elect both individuals and nominating bodies to Councils.

After the vote, the members who join the Council are:

Nuthana Bhayankaram (42,736 votes, elected)

Sarah Green (43,251 votes, re-elected)

Min Grimshaw (42,324 votes, re-elected)

Mark Horton (43,243 votes, elected)

Sandy Nairne (42,667 votes, re-elected)

Joshua Rice (42,087 votes, elected)

The elected appointment bodies are:

Conservation Action – Chosen

Council of British Archeology (CBA) – Re-elected

English Heritage – Re-elected

Gardens Trust (The) – Chosen

Historic Houses – Reelected

Institute of Conservation (ICON) – Elected

Keep Britain Tidy – Elected

Marine Conservation Society – Chosen

Museum Association – Reelected

National Farmers’ Union of England and Wales (NFU): re-elected

Open Space Society – Reelected

Ramblers – Reelected

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) – Re-elected

RSPB – Re-elected

Soil Association – Reelected

Sustrans – Chosen

Wildlife Trusts (The) – Re-elected

UK World Heritage – Chosen

Hilary McGrady, chief executive of the National Trust, said: “It has been another very busy and positive AGM and it was fantastic to be in Newcastle with many of our members. I enjoyed hearing your ideas and celebrating the variety of work we have achieved with your support.

I am also delighted that a record number of members have applied to join our Council this year. The Council plays a really important role in our governance and so it is important that its members reflect the full spectrum of the Trust’s work, from nature and land management to collections and conservation. “I look forward to working with the newly elected members very soon.”

Members’ questions ranged from the provision of access passes to the Trust’s banking arrangements to the installation of electric vehicle charging points at National Trust sites.

The results of the Quick Vote were 53% for resolutions, 57% for Council elections and 50% for appointing bodies.

The results in full resolution can be read here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/annual-general-meeting The full recording of the day will be available shortly on the same page.