AHTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.

26^th NOVEMBER 2007

Apologies; The President, Karen Knott, Mike Hall. The Secretary read a letter from Mr Hall explaining why he would not be standing for office at this year’s AGM, stating that he seemed to have spent all last year in meeting trying to solve petty squabbles.

Jack Ashton; The Committee stood in silence in memory of Mr Ashton.

Minutes of the October Meeting; The Secretary apologised for the late arrival of the mailed copies of the minutes as he had been having problems with his computer. The minutes were approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising; Mr Morris said there had been a poor turn out at the League Dinner. Up to £500 had been spent on having trophies repaired and cleaned. The Treasurer will check if his bank can hold the more valuable of the trophies.

Correspondence; The next meeting of the Lancashire Cricket Groundsman Association will be at Spring View C.C. on 10^th December 7.30pm.

 An email regarding cricket balls was passed to Rod Sandiford.

Legal Update; The Secretary read a letter from our solicitor (copied to League Reps, clubs and League Officials, along with a previous letter to which Tony Hayes has drafted a reply). At the December meeting the Committee will be asked how we wish to proceed. In the interim, Derek Kay and Tony Hayes will be meeting with Martin Axford and other Farnworth Officials. Mr Kay indicated certain factors already agreed by the League could not be negotiated.

Finance; The Treasurer reported a bank balance of £830 with £7275 in the junior coaching account. £1900 had been spent on senior and junior trophies, and £1600 on insurance.

Axford Indoor KO; After a prolonged discussion it was agreed there would be no change to the player qualifications. Bans for league games do not affect the indoor KO.

The Competition will be held at Bolton School Sports Hall.

Byes – Tonge and Farnworth S.C.

13th January, 11am LL v Wa, 12.15pm Ho v We, 1.30pm K v G

20^th January, 11am He v Eg, 12.15pm F v Ea, 1.30pm B v AB

27^th January, 11am H/W v FSC, 12.15pm K/G v T, 1.30pm F/E v H/E, 2.15pm L/W v A/B

3^rd February, 11am and 12.15pm Semis, 1.30pm Final.

20^th January Walkden and Kearsley play at Old Trafford.

Juniors; The voting on amendments to rule have been emailed or will be enclosed with these minutes. The Committee agreed that when the under 13 fixtures have been compiled; consideration should be given to those clubs who have sufficient players to field two teams. Shaun Lomax is the new Under 13 Secretary.

Fixtures 2008; Problems with the Secretary’s computer mean these are not available yet, but will be emailed / sent to clubs before the December meeting. If clubs have any queries these should be sent to the League Secretary before the meeting if possible.

Cricket Balls; Rod Sandiford explained he had secured a further one year deal to supply the Reader ball but there is an opportunity to try an alternative in the Hamer Cup. The Committee agreed to this. It was agreed the Reader could be used as a ‘second’ ball in the Cup. Clubs can order additional balls through the Bolton League, and orders should be placed at the December meeting / AGM.

League Cricket Conference; The Secretary had previously emailed the minutes of the last LCC to clubs, but highlighted the changes to the Managed Migration System proposed by the Home Office for 2009. The Committee agreed that when the proposals have been fine-tuned the Secretary should request a copy of the presentation.

The League and clubs were reminded they should no longer ban players ‘sine die’.

Cricket Development Officer; As agreed at the last meeting, Mike Hall had written a letter to the League regarding disputes with CDO Bobby Denning. The Secretary read the first half of the letter regarding Mike Buckley’s dispute. In the interim, the Junior Committee, who were aware of the situation had unanimously elected Mr Buckley as their representative to the Bolton Cricket Development Group, with the proviso that he acts only as instructed by the Committee. Some members of the Committee expressed concern at the financial ramifications to clubs of supporting the Junior Committee’s decision. The Secretary said it was important that the League as a body were represented for funding purposes, this usually coming through the Junior Section. It was agreed that Derek Kay should contact Andy Hayhurst at the LCB to arrange a meeting.

In the second half of the letter Mr Hall agreed it was not the responsibility of the League to discuss comments made on the Bolton Cricket Forum. He did, however express concern about Forum and the way of accessing it. The Secretary, along with Simon Thomson and Andy Bowker agreed to meet Paul Rayment to ask if would make certain changes to the wording of the Website.

Proposed Amendments to Rule; The proposals which received over 50% support at the meeting have been emailed / mailed to Committee members. At the AGM these require a two-thirds majority. Clubs and Officials were asked not to abstain in the vote, but abstentions will not count as a vote against a proposal.

Nomination of Officers; The following were proposed; Chairman – D Kay, Secretary – R Taylor, Treasurer – W Stevenson, Auditor – G Salt.

Following the decision of Mike Hall not to seek re-election T Hayes and D Morris were proposed as Co-Opted members, leaving one vacancy. All Co-Opted members require 75% to be elected at the AGM.

Any Other Business; Both the Chairman and Secretary indicated they would attend a meeting at Little Lever C.C. to discuss the Lyddon Trophy once the final number of entrants were known.

Date of AGM; 10^th December.