ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD AT BRADSHAW C.C.
31st MARCH 2008
Apologies: Karen Knott, Eric Smith, and Roy Sturch. All other members of the Committee attended.
Minutes’ Silence: The Committee stood in memory of Owaine Carson of Heaton C.C. and Alf Clegg of Egerton C.C.
Minutes of the February Meeting: The Chairman explained why a revised set of minutes had been sent out. The Committee agreed that we should not ask for our minutes to be placed on the Bolton Cricket Website until certain issues had been resolved. It was also agreed after a vote that the Secretary should continue to email League Minutes to the existing contacts unless clubs asked in writing for their members to be removed from the list.
Matters Arising: No one present was able to report on the recent Club Licensees Meeting. The Secretary had sent a copy of a letter from United Utilities to the ECB and League Cricket Conference.
Mike Buckley has sent information to all club Child Welfare Officers.
Clubs were reminded of their welfare obligations with their overseas professionals. These are included in the rules for the Lancashire KO.
Correspondence: The Secretary had received a copy of the minutes from the Lancashire Cricket Groundsman Association, but David Morris had covered most of the points at a previous meeting. The next meeting is at Fulwood and Broughton C.C. at 7.30pm on 14th April.
In response to questions posed by members of the Committee at the last meeting, Martin Axford of Farnworth C.C. had sent a letter, which was read by the Secretary. In the letter Mr Axford confirmed Farnworth would remain a members club. The Committee confirmed Farnworth Cricket and Sports Club would continue as members of the Bolton Cricket League.
Lancashire Cricket Board: The Secretary had forwarded to members of the Committee a letter from Halliwells Solicitors on behalf of the LCB that had been addressed to the League Secretary, but sent to our sponsor. The letter covered certain points that had been clarified previously, and the Chairman sent an email to two employees of the LCB to this effect. The Secretary had replied to the solicitors requesting confirmation of one of the points raised in the letter. League Officials were given permission by the Committee to consult a solicitor.
Finance: The Treasurer reported a balance of £1169 with £2166 due on 3rd April. There is an additional £1525 in the savings account, £1038 in the Legal Fund and £5684 in the Junior Coaching Fund.
Clubs were referred to Standing Order 9. They must provide the League Treasurer with evidence of public liability cover and player insurance by the meeting on 21st April.
Umpires: Clive Knott reminded clubs about the umpires/captains meeting at Farnworth Social Circle, 7.30pm on 9th April. Clubs will be fined £25 per team if they do not sent a senior playing representative for 1st and 2nd teams. Junior captains or team managers may also attend. Comments and questions from captains on matters outside the agenda will be welcome.
There are scorebook entry courses at Astley Bridge on 1st and 8th April. No one from the Bolton League turned up to the courses at Greenmount.
A number of experienced Bolton League umpires have retired.
In response to a question, Mr Knott said the Umpires Association were not in favour of a two-tier system of payment.
Umpires will be paid £10 each in the Lyddon 20/20, to be paid by the home club. A full set of rules will be issued in April. The first match is Tonge v Darcy Lever on Tuesday 6th May.
Registrations: All professionals are graded two apart from Eagley (1), and Farnworth, Kearsley and Westhoughton (3). Walkden have still to declare a grade. It is possible Little Lever’s may be a 3 before he plays his first match, but until he has played international cricket deputies can be no higher than a grade 2.
The Committee approved the registration of M. O’Rourke.
Ron Fallows requires a copy of the professional’s contract, but not the work permit.
Player lists should be updated and sent to Mr Fallows by the next meeting. Currently all clubs apart from Farnworth S.C. Greenmount (Juniors), Heaton and Tonge submit their information electronically.
The following players have been transferred; D. White (Horwich to Farnworth) and S. Banks (Astley Bridge to Greenmount). The Committee need to sanction the transfer of Mark Howarth from Bradshaw at the next meeting (Rule 12d) unless Bradshaw are not prepared to release the player (Rule 17). The League Rules do not prevent a player from taking part in ‘friendly’ matches.
Ground Inspections: Mr Morris will contact clubs with the dates of the inspections. There will be a mid-season inspection as well.
Sanctions may be taken against clubs in breach of the Bolton League Rules.
Damaged covers are not acceptable.
Mr Morris noted inconsistencies in some umpires’ ground reports last season.
Discipline: There is still an outstanding case regarding Kearsley’s former professional.
An eight-point procedure and Penalty Guidelines will be included in the Handbook. Mr Hayes took the Committee through the procedure. Clubs must provide Mr Hayes with a contact by the April meeting.
Captains will be held responsible for audible and offensive, but unattributable comments.
The Disciplinary Committee can vary the penalties from those in the Guidelines in exceptional circumstances.
Juniors: Reporting, Mr Buckley said Little Lever and Westhoughton were not represented at the last meeting.
Under 13s are playing inter-league matches on 1st and 13th June.
There are two courses at Bradshaw C.C. 1st Aid on 10th April and Safeguarding and Protecting Children on 15th April.
The Junior Committee voted to retain the £100 coaching levy, but agreed it could be used to pay half the fees on courses organised by the Bolton League.
There are inter-league trials on 12th and 19th April.
The next meeting is on 24th April.
Handbook: Cup Final scorecards are required from Horwich and Bradshaw.
LCB: Finalised Lancs KO rules have not been issued yet.
Inter-League: The next meeting is 3rd April.
Date of Next Meetings: 21st April, 19th May.