Northern England Short Mat Bowling Association
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at Harrogate
On Sunday 12 th June 2016
17 members in Attendance. Chairman G.Foote, Vice-Chairman G.Fish, General Secretary D.Rutt, Treasurer R.Green, League Secretary M.Groce, Competition Secretary A.Miles . Delegates A.Fish (Derbyshire), M.Mann (Durham), V.Langton, B.Ballam (Humberside), A.Jackson, P.Jones (North Yorkshire), B.Fennell, M.Shaw (Stockport), S.Rhodes, T.Pearson (West Yorkshire). Non-voting attendee B.Jones (North Yorkshire) amounting to 15 voters. Thus for voting to be carried in favour the number of votes required would be - on Constitutional matters 10 votes and on other matters 8 votes.
1. Apologies for AbsenceM and A Jones (Staffordshire).
2. Minutes of AGM 2015The Minutes had been circulated after that AGM and were approved as a correct record and duly signed by the Chairman.
3. Matters arisingThere were none.
4. Chairman’s Report
Chairman Graham Foote read out his report commenting that he had enjoyed his year to a degree even though a few problems had arisen which he felt sure would get sorted in due course. Being able to present the trophies to the winners at BarnardCastle was the highlight of his year. He congratulated all players taking part who qualified for the Northern England Championships and offered sincere thanks to all players who helped during and after the championships. Graham conveyed his thanks to Arthur Jackson for collecting and returning the mats from the ESMBA, quite a time consuming task. Thanks also to Bill Burn for making the raffle such a great money earner and of course to Andy and his wife for all the hard work put into the event making it a great and successful weekend for all.
Graham continued by thanking all the umpires who gave their time in helping to implement the new rules which helped to make the championships run smoothly and finish early in the evenings. Lastly he thanked all the Executive Committee for giving up their time and hard work for the benefit of all NESMBA members particularly wishing Graham Fish the incoming Chairman from Derbyshire lots of luck in his year of office.
5. General Secretary’s Report
David Rutt read out his first report as General Secretary and hoped that the NESMBA membership were happy with his efforts on their behalf. Prior to the beginning of the 2015/16 season we sadly lost the Lancashire Association who had been in membership since the Inaugural meeting of the then Northern Zone in 1990. Unfortunately with all other Areas having made their fixtures it was too late to re-organise. Contrary to what some people may think I had ongoing discussions with the Lancashire officers in the hope of getting them back into the NESMBA. Similarly, I also made approaches to Merseyside but had no response. As some of you may know, the ESMBA has put ICC fixtures on our usual BarnardCastle weekend in March and so I have booked the following weekend of 18/19 th March 2017 and this has been confirmed by the Leisure Centre as acceptable.
I have applied for us to use the ESMBA mats again – even though there may be a problem if the European – World Championships go ahead. I do not expect a response until the ESMBA has held a Committee meeting and so only then can we consider if weneed to make alternative arrangements.
6. League Secretary’s Report
Maxine Groce congratulated Stockport finishing top of Division One. It was a close finish for the second place as both Staffordshire and West Yorkshire A finished level on points but Staffordshire having the greater shots aggregate took second place by 375 shots to 157. Congratulations also go to North Yorkshire A on their promotion to Division One. Humberside B are relegated to Division Two for next season along with Humberside A in accordance with the League Rules – (15) League Format. Maxine concluded her report by thanking those who had supported her during her term of office. Arthur Jackson again offered to collect/return the ESMBA mats in 2017.
7. Competition Secretary’s Report
Andy Miles advised that it was good that the Championships were held at the Teesdale Sports Centre after suggestions to move the event were abandoned and that it was the correct decision as to a lot of people this weekend is more than just the bowling and it would be a shame to lose that element. Andy thanked Barry Purcell for taking over for previous events and noted that both Barbara and he really enjoyed organising and running the event. He mentioned that he had inherited the pc system which Barry had developed even though it took quite a time to get used to and that in the future it will make the event more streamlined. Thanks were expressed to the many who turned up on the Friday evening to prepare the halls and since we have been doing it for many years now it just seems to happen. Graham Foote was thanked for organising the Umpires rota and also to the Umpires for their efforts over the weekend. The Stockport members who ran the raffle were thanked particularly in raising such a fantastic amount and expressed a hope that whoever runs it in 2017 will have the same success.
8(a) Treasurer’s Report
Roger Green had previously circulated the Statement of Account which showed an operating deficit of £40 reducing the balance to £2559. The detail of the Treasurer’s Report made it easy for those present to easily follow. He highlighted various expenditures and also included a note from the Independent Accounts Examiner to certify that all was well with the accounts. The Chairman noted that the Umpires expenses had complied with the £500 allowance as agreed at the 2015 AGM. On a proposition by Shirley Rhodes seconded by Graham Foote the meeting unanimously agreed that the Accounts be adopted with thanks to the Treasurer.
8(b) Agree Fees & Subscriptions for 2016/17 season
The Treasurer advised the meeting that he saw no reason to increase any fees and thus the following were unanimously approved on a proposal from Graham Fish seconded Val Langton
Team Entry Fee £35 per team;Area Membership Fee £50 per Area ;
Individual Championship Entry Fee£5 per individual per event
It was noted that North Yorkshire is imposing a £10 charge for any league involved in having its results on their website and so on the proposal by Anne Fish seconded Bernard Fennell it was agreed that the Treasurer should pay said charge for the coming season from NESMBA funds.
NOTE that all the Proposals and Amendments hereunder which were approved by the meeting will automatically be included in RED TYPE in the UPDATED issue of either the Constitution ; League Rules ; Individual Championship Rules ; or the NEW document relating to GUIDELINES FOR CLAIMING EXPENSES
9. CONSTITUTIONAL ITEMS
There is no reference in the Constitution as to when voting decisions made on Rule changes became active.
One of the officers had queried this via the General Secretary prior to the meeting who in turn had discussed same with the Chairman. Following consultations with knowledgeable people the Chairman introduced his findings to the meeting. After discussion the Chairman proposed that “Voting decisions only become applicable after the close of a meeting.” The Proposal was Seconded by Arthur Jackson and carried unanimously by the meeting. In view of this it would be necessary to include the new Rule 6.4.5 .
(A) Proposal by Humberside to include a phrase into Rule 3.1 was seconded by West Yorkshire but defeated with 9 votes for 5 against and 1 abstention.
(B) Proposal by Humberside to include changes to Rule 6.6 was explained to the meeting which also intended to correct a date which did not tie in with Rule 6.3. However, had this Proposal been approved it would have been in conflict with Rule 6.4.1 and so the Proposal was withdrawn.
(C) Proposal by the Treasurer to amend Rule 4.4 was discussed and in principle acceptable but prior to a vote item (D) was also considered which was an amendment by Humberside to include a minor change to Rule 6.1.5
This change was acceptable to the Treasurer and approved unanimously by the meeting.
(C) With the inclusion of (D) the Treasurer’s original proposal became the substantive motion and was approved unanimously.
(E) Proposal by the Treasurer to change financial year dates was seconded by North Yorkshire and approved unanimously.
10. LEAGUE RULES
(F) Proposal by Humberside to clarify Rule 14 was seconded by Derbyshire and was approved unanimously.
(G) Proposal by Humberside to amend Rule 17 was seconded by Derbyshire and was approved unanimously.
(H) Proposal by North Yorkshire to amend Rule 24 was seconded by Stockport Metro. This generated considerable discussion but on the vote 5 for and 10 against hence the proposal was defeated.
11. INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP RULES
(I) Proposal by West Yorkshire to amend Rule 3 relating to jack off the mat. After discussion there was no seconder so the proposal failed.
12. OTHER
(J) Proposal by the Treasurer to formally adopt a new document “Guidelines for Claiming Expenses” a copy of which had been circulated prior to the meeting and seconded by North Yorkshire.
(K) An amendment had been submitted by Humberside for a similar document which had also been circulated prior to the meeting and seconded by Stockport Metro.
Comparison of both documents ensued and on the vote with the amendment Proposal (K) carried by 12 votes for and 3 votes against. Thus the Treasurer’s document failed.
Referring back to the principle of Proposal (J) the meeting agreed to adopt (K) as a new document and voted unanimously in favour.
(L) Proposal by the Treasurer to add into Constitution 6.1 para 9. was seconded by West Yorkshire and approved unanimously by the meeting.
13. Appointment of person to check annual accounts.
On the suggestion of the Treasurer, Derrick Johnson of Easingwold was nominated and this was agreed to by the meeting.
14. Date and Venue for 2017 Annual General Meeting
The meeting agreed that the AGM will be held on SUNDAY 11 th June 2017 with the venue to be advised.
15. Election of Officers
Vice-ChairmanMike Shawnominated by Stockport Metro
General SecretaryDavid Ruttnominated by Durham
League SecretaryVACANTno nomination
TreasurerRoger Greennominated by Derbyshire
Competition SecretaryAndy Milesnominated by West Yorkshire
ChairmanGraham Fishnominated by Derbyshire
Following the Election of Officers it was noted that we had no League Secretary and thus the meeting agreed the position should be advertised to all Areas. Failure to have a volunteer would mean no Inter-CountyLeague games.
The incoming Chairman thanked Graham Foote and all the Officers for their hard work throughout the season and then declared the meeting closed.
REF: NESMBA AGM MINUTES 120616
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