AGM 2007

Minutes of Biddestone Cricket Club AGM  - Sunday 7th October 2007

2. Minutes of 2006 AGM. These were accepted as a true record of that meeting and signed by the Chairman, Hywel Evans. Proposed by Bernard Beard. Seconded by Phil Boore.

3. Matters Arising. There were no matters arising.

4. 2007 Season Review
Chairman's Report. Hywel Evans began by thanking all the volunteer helpers.
He particularly congratulated Paul Taylor for the 100% 4th team record and the expected promotion. He also commented on successful top-half seasons for the 1sts, 2nds and 3rds.
He advised the meeting that the new nets are to be 100% funded thanks to three grants that have been obtained
Secretary's report. John Lawton spoke about the successes in 2007, notably
On the field
- 248 Fixtures scheduled of which we played 161 - thanks to Andy as Fixture Secretary
- Successful youth programme - thanks to coaches. Need continued support especially non-coaching support. In 2008 we will need to have at least 2 adults at each youth coaching session and match.
- Chance 2 Shine - thanks to Phil and Andy
" Sunday and 20/20 success again - well done to Ron and Andy - Need continued support on a Sunday to feed youngster from youth cricket into senior. 2 teams. It's vitally important we fulfil all fixtures.
" Winter coaching went very well - increased numbers. U13 almost double. The cost of hiring the sports hall was less than expected, meaning the club made a profit on youth winter coaching in 2007.
" Had to close youth numbers for the first time (not aware of more than a handful that were turned away)
" Girls started this year supporting ECB aim to get an U13 district side which was achieved. Numbers a little lower but re-focusing next year on Under 11's so hopeful of expansion.
Off the field
" Success of signing on evening. Of £3k raised in subs £2k was raised in the one night. Thanks to all those that contributed AND turned up (please turn up to relieve pressure on captains)
" Website continued success (lost count of hits but circa. 15k. Noticeable during my holiday). Also WEPL site is very well kept by Don - thanks to him for that.
" Training our people- Spent £1600 in last 12 months on training (Level 1's cost >£100)
" Development Plan signed off by the ECB for 2007-2011. Available on request or shortly to be put onto website.
" Nets fully funded (total cost 24k - 70% ECB, 20% Lords Taverners and 10% from Awards for All). It was a huge disappointment that planning issues prevented installation in time for the 2007 season.
" We managed to obtain a mobile net costing £1k for free - wouldn't have done that if we hadn't co-operated so fully with ECB through Development Planning / C2C / ClubMark etc
" Sponsorship - much obtained but we need more support and we could do so much more. Please find someone with enthusiasm to help
" Cricket Force 2007 - third year. Thanks to Paul Taylor and all that took part.
" Great work done on ground. New outfield mower has been great success - thanks to Andy, Bernard and Brian.
" Kit Manager - Thanks to Bernard once again for a very effective and well managed system

Plans for 2008
" Nets - Top priority ahead of next season
" Top Pitch - water and electricity will allow us to bring grass strips into service.
" Plans to extend / improve the covers.
" ClubMark 2008 - three years since awarded, so we need to get registration again.
" Increased youth representation in club decision-making through a new committee that Kris will lead.
" Plans to re-launch social - please support and encourage others
" Partial and measured pitch relay being considered (significant cost and not likely to be before 2009)

Treasurer's report. Adrian presented the Income & Expenditure accounts in a new improved format for 2006/7. Of particular note was over £3222 in annual subs. A closing balance of £10,058 will be eroded by known liabilities and payments in excess of £4500. Also shown in the accounts is £2000 from Awards for All which will go towards nets. The more realistic position on available funds is therefore around £3500.

The committee proposed that membership fees/charges should increase as follows;
" Youth and Associate Membership - up by £5 to £10
" Full Membership - up by £5 to £30
" Family Membership - up by £5 to £35
" Youth Coaching for whole season - up by £5 to £20
This was proposed by Kevin Mitchell, seconded by Phil Boore and unanimously carried by the meeting.

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5. Election of Officers The following officers were nominated and all were elected unopposed

It was confirmed that young players will play for higher sides if their performances warrant and will not be held down by virtue of their vice-captaincy of a team.

In standing down in 2008, Ron Needham was thanked for his help and support in launching and running the Sunday A team for two years.

6. Constitution and Code Of Conduct Adoption  John walked through a revised Club Constitution. There were two minor textual changes agreed and with those amendments, the adoption of the document was proposed by Don Keighly and seconded by Bernard Beard. It was carried unanimously.

John also explained and read through a Code of Conduct for Cricket Club Members and Guests. Adoption of the document was proposed by Andy Short and seconded by Hywel Evans. It was carried unanimously.

7. League Structure 2008 and Planned Teams In respect of the WEPL league, Warminster have been promoted and Hatherley & Reddings relegated. Marshfield will not be relegated. It was confirmed to the meeting that, in our division, the 2nds will continue to move with the 1st team (i.e. no independent promotion / relegation).

Malmesbury Village League will run two divisions as in 2008 and fixtures are already received.

Wiltshire League plans for 2008 are not yet advised, although we assume the 4th team will be promoted.

The Management Committee is planning that the same number of teams will run again in 2008.

8. Social Committee Report and Fundraising

The Management Committee will be seeking to re-launch the social committee with focus being on arranging Saturday evening socials during the season. Support would be welcome.

John explained the value that the club would get from finding and appointing a person with responsibility for obtaining sponsorship and grants. Whilst we have achieved a lot this season, with new initiatives like the sponsorship boards round the pitch, there is potential for so much more. There were no volunteers from the floor.

9. Any Other Business

1. Following a comment placed on the website, Don Keighly asked if there were issues around selection. John advised that issues remained anecdotal and nothing formal had been put to any of the committee members. (John to put an improved explanation of our selection criteria on the website for next season)
2. Don Keighly advised that he had two five minute umpiring and scoring guides available. It was suggested that these might be published on the website.
3. Given the low numbers at the AGM, the Management Committee will investigate changing the day of the week and the format for next season.
4. Andy advised the meeting that the only youth football is taking place on the ground and their smaller pitch only encroaches a few yards onto the outfield.
5. The meeting unanimously agreed that the current methods by which the club communicates with its members (i.e. mainly through the website) were considered adequate and that no changes were considered necessary.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.00 pm

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AGM

Attendees; Hywel Evans, Mike Chrystal, John Lawton, Adrian Hunt, Kevin Mitchell, Paul Taylor Kris Boulton, Andy Short, Niki Walden, Andy Walden, Phil Boore, Bernard Beard, Phil Knight, Ron Nedham, Don Keighly, Rita Keighly, Andy Marsh, Ben Copeland (18 attendees)

(Note - there were very many thank you's during the meeting. These are important and the contributions of the very many volunteers are hugely valuable. However, for brevity they have not all been recorded in these minutes)

1. Apologies; Jon Mason, Jane Boulton, Neil Millard, Richard Flynn, Josh Boulton.

Captain's Reports
1st Team. A further improvement on 2006 with the 1st team finishing 2nd and missing out on promotion by just 8 runs. Plenty of potential and plans that some winter coaching sessions will focus on improving the technique of younger players aspiring to 1st team cricket.
2nd Team. 2nds won 8 and lost 7 finishing 5th with a very young side. Gareth Unwin took 7 wickets on two occasions.
Andy was able to report good progress in obtaining land for the club, so that we can increase the size of the top pitch. Six grass strips are being prepared for use in 2008,
3rd Team. 3rd team finished strongly ending up in 4th place. Kevin expressed his view that the team has the capability and potential to be promoted in 2008.
4th Team. The 4ths had a 100% record and finished top of their league. James Howells (bowling) and Paul Walden (batting) had particular success in 2007.
Sunday sides; Ron Needham and Andy Walden both had enjoyable seasons. The A team achieved a league and cup double and in the B team Phil Knight had success with both bat and ball.

Youth Reports.
U-15 Team exceeded expectations with 2nd place in the Bath Youth League With 6 players still available in 2008, there are high hopes for next season
U-13 An enthusiastic group who improved as the season progressed. There is a desire to improve the quality in this squad in 2008.
U-11 Two fairly equal teams competed in the Bath Youth League and both finished mid-table. All games played in a sporting manner and enjoyed by all involved.
U-9. The team entered all the tournaments this year and were enthusiastic throughout.
Girls; A girls team started for the first time thanks to the efforts of Anne Kelly and others. Numbers were lower than hoped, but plans are in place to improve further in 2008 and focus our recruitment efforts more on primary school age girls
Chance to Shine; Andy Short thanked Phil for his continued work on Chance to Shine