MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C. 24th MAY 2004
Apologies: All clubs and officials attended the meeting.
Minutes of the April Meeting: These had been sent to members of the Committee previously, and were agreed to be a correct record.
Matters Arising: There is still no positive news from Bolton School about the indoor facilities. The Committee agreed Fred Elmore should explore other alternatives, including Smithills School, despite the length of the boundaries.
All coaching money has now been paid.
Clubs who have not produced proof of Public Liability Insurance will be fined as per Standing Order 9. Clubs were asked to take this issue seriously.
Players and officials are covered under our inter-league insurance.
The Teddy Gerrard Trophy has been located.
Correspondence: The Secretary had previously e-mailed clubs the revised ECB Self Declaration form. It is available from www.play-cricket.com.
The League and clubs do not need to register under the data protection act unless the information they are holding on players and members is used for personal or commercial gain.
The Consent Form to be used for all junior inter-league games includes elements of “Safehands” and has been modified and sent to clubs in case they wish to make use of it.
There will be an ECB Child Protection Workshop, 6.30pm to 9.30pm on 29th June at Bolton School Arts Centre, cost £15.
A letter regarding Bolton Community Transport, a registered charity whose pricing is calculated to cover operational costs only, has been sent to clubs. The contact number is 01204 393777.
The Secretary had previously sent extracts from the League Cricket Conference Legal Up Date covering Stamp Duty Land Tax on Clubs Taking Up Leases, Drainage and Employment (including ‘When is a person an employee of a club’).
Ron Fallows brought up the problem of clubs wishing to register as a Community Amateur Sports Club. The Secretary read extracts from an ECB article, sent to clubs previously, stating clubs could not employ a professional, and the constraints of a clubs’ members who are not players or volunteers. It was agreed we might have to revise our definition of ‘professional’.
Brian Senior’s wife Celia had asked the Secretary to pass on their thanks to the many people from the Bolton League who had sent goodwill messages to Brian during his illness.
Finance: The Treasurer reported balances of £5000, excluding the coaching funds. Fines were read to clubs. The Treasurer will take up any queries with Geoff Cleworth.
The Secretary explained he had not yet received authorisation from the Post Office for the revised pre-paid envelopes, and asked clubs to use stamped envelopes to Geoff Cleworth until further supplies could be ordered.
Umpires: Karen Knott took the Committee through the May Newsletter, noting in particular the captains’ responsibility with regard to discipline, signalling from the scorebox, use of team sheets and the New MCC Laws.
Bradshaw first team have not submitted any umpires marking forms, and Eagley first and Kearsley and Little Lever seconds have also defaulted on several occasions. It transpired that even after the umpires / captains meeting many second team captains were unaware they had to mark the umpires. Without the information, officials cannot be allocated cup finals etc based on the marks.
There have been problems with umpires’ accommodation at Tonge and Little Lever, and clubs were reminded that umpires should be paid at the tea interval, and match sheets should be available soon after the close of play.
Problems of this nature, and especially in relation to comments about clubs’ pitches or ground should be reported immediately to the League Secretary so action can be taken. The Committee feel there is little to be gained from discussing issues from several weeks ago; especially if the club representative is unaware there has been a problem.
Juniors: The Junior Secretary distributed match cards and labels. Unfortunately Geoff Diggle’s address is incorrect in the Handbook, and the Under 13 labels should be altered to read 61 Harwood Vale.
The Junior Secretary has details of an under 13 touring team who wish to play clubs in the area from 9th August.
The Junior Committee was asked to look at Sunday morning fixtures.
At the Junior Meeting on 20th May the draws were made for the U13, U15 and U18 second round ties. Richard Dearden outlined proposals for forthcoming coaching events.
The Junior Committee proposed Eagley are fined £10 per game for missing two U18 matches and Westhoughton £10 for missing one. The League Committee agreed this.
The Junior Committee also recommended Walkden be fined £20 per match up to a maximum of £260 if they fail to fulfil their under 13 fixtures. Members of the Committee felt Walkden had done their best to raise a team, but others noted as they had failed to attend a junior meeting this year there was little the junior committee or coaches could do to assist them. It was also remarked on that the Junior Committee had been disbanded almost 12 months ago for failing to take action in similar circumstances, and the League Committee should support the junior section, especially as it was against League Rules not to have the required number of junior teams, and not to take action against clubs could set a precedent. The Committee voted to support the recommendation of the Junior Committee, with the stipulation that the money should be used for junior cricket, and if possible to specifically assist Walkden.
Registrations: Ron Fallows explained why he was unable to give a detailed report.
Tonge asked permission to transfer Nigel Partington under Rule 13(e), however as a transfer form had not been completed the Committee after some discussion declined to consider the issue. However, the Committee asked the Secretary to call a special meeting to resolve the matter once a transfer form had been signed. Clubs and officials would not be compelled to attend the meeting, and those present would be empowered to make a decision.
Disciplinary Reports: Derek Kay said Adam Lawson of Little Lever had been banned for two matches, and there were five other cases pending including a re-hearing.
The request from the Umpires for captains to take more responsibility was re-emphasised, and there was a further request for clubs to take disciplinary action themselves.
Hamer / Birtwistle Cup Draws: The second round draws will take place at Bradshaw C.C. 8.15pm on Friday 4th June.
Astley Bridge v Greenmount Second Team: Greenmount C.C. complained that the umpires had interpreted Rules 26(f) iii & iv incorrectly, and failed to allow the match to be completed. The umpires had recorded different times to the Greenmount scorebook, and as a match card had not been received the Committee found it difficult to proceed, especially as several results were a possibility as the match was poised.
It was felt that although an error had possibly been made, the result should stand.
Any Other Business: The LCB would be looking into the possibility that Huyton had played an ineligible overseas player against Greenmount in the Lancs KO.
The Second Team Inter-League team will play the Central Lancs League at Farnworth S.C. on 11th July. Clubs are asked to nominate candidates for a selection committee.
Paul Tatton has arranged a Groundsmans’ Association meeting at Haydock C.C. on 28th June, to discuss the bulk purchase of materials. The cost is £5 and David Morris will act as co-ordinator for the Bolton League clubs.
Peter Stafford reminded clubs that results should be phoned to him promptly.
Greenmount C.C. and Kearsley C.C. were given permission for logos on their shirts.
A proposal that smoking should be banned at League Meetings will be discussed again.
Date of Next Meeting: 28th June.