We are pleased to announce that at our Extraordinary General Meeting yesterday our members voted to change our constitution.  Each of the proposed changes was supported by over 90% of the member votes cast and so all resolutions were carried.  Full details of how the votes were cast can be read here.

The amended Nominet constitution encapsulates our public purpose, ensuring that the board takes all stakeholders’ views into account when developing policy and making business decisions.  This will ensure that:

• We conduct our business for the public benefit
• We have a well balanced board that is able to make good business decisions for the public purpose
• Our board has the ability to set prices for registrations and renewals
• We will work with our members to find a way for other stakeholders to have a voice in business decisions and policy development.  

The proposals were developed following an independent governance review in 2009. 

The vote was cast against the backdrop of the Government’s Digital Economy Bill, which includes reserve powers to regulate the UK domain name industry. In advance of the EGM, the Government made it clear that, if members voted in favour of the proposals, then there would be no need for Government intervention.

We believe that our members have now proven their commitment to consider the needs of all stakeholders by reaffirming our public purpose, as well as ensuring that we are governed according to best practice standards.  We hope that by implementing in full the changes that respond to the Government’s concerns, the reserve powers will not now be necessary.

This vote is a defining moment for the UK domain market and the UK Internet landscape. Our members have demonstrated that, together, we remain committed to a self regulated .uk domain space that takes into account the views of all stakeholders.

We would like to thank all the members who have voted.  Turnout was over 38%, representing more than 72% of the possible votes that could be cast.  This is more than double the turnout for any recent Nominet votes.  We would also like to thank all of our staff, who have worked tirelessly to make this meeting a success.

We remain proud of the reputation of .uk and of the UK domain name industry that has helped make .uk a leading force in the global Internet.