The Chair referenced the Boards powers under the Companies Articles.
They Company Articles used to read
3.10 The Board shall have the power to make, vary and repeal the Audax United Kingdom Rules concerning subscriptions for membership provided that any such change shall not be effective until approved by the majority of the Members in a General Meeting.
10.2 For the avoidance of doubt, the Board may not amend the Audax United Kingdom Rules except with the approval of a simple majority of the Members present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting in accordance with article 8.5.2.
i.e., the Articles deferred to the AUK Rules and Regulations which in turn ceded some operational flexibility to the Board, as per the following extract from AUK Rules and Regulations.
1 Application of Regulations
1.1 The Regulations govern the administration of AUK and the system of AUK events.
1.2 The Regulations can only be changed at a general meeting of the Company.
1.3 The Appendices to the Regulations detail additional policy regarding the application of the regulations.
1.4 The Appendices to the Regulations may be changed by the board during the course of the year, subject to ratification at the next general meeting.
The Company Articles now read
12.4 the Board shall have the power to make, vary and revoke rules, regulations, mechanisms and standing orders for the better administration of AUK and the furtherance of its objects including (but without limitation):
12.4.1 technical regulations;
12.4.2 rules to combat doping in cycle sport to ensure compliance with national and international rules relating to doping control;
12.4.3 appeals procedure;
12.4.4 rules for the promotion and organisation of championships;
12.4.5 mechanisms for co-ordinating the arrangement of and the date of fixtures of cycling events organised under Audax UK rules and guidelines; and
12.4.6 mechanisms for co-ordinating commercial activities of Audax UK.
So the Board's role has changed from delivering AUK operations subject to the rules and regulations approved by the membership to having full control over AUK operations and regulations without any need to consult the membership or otherwise obtain approval for their actions.
TLDR: the Board can do what it likes without any reference to the membership, including set fees and amend/revise AUK regulations.