ANTHONY AXFORD BOLTON CRICKET LEAGUE

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING

HELD AT FARNWORTH S.C.C.C.

30^th MARCH 2009

Apologies: M. Buckley, M. Hall, D. Morris, E. Smith, and R. Sturch.

Minutes of the February Meeting: These had been circulated previously, and were agreed to be a correct record.

Matters Arising: Twenty CRB forms had been signed off at Bradshaw C.C. and Farnworth S.C.C.C. earlier in the month. The Welfare Officers will find out if any senior team captains, professionals or junior team managers still require checking.

Only Bradshaw and Walkden are up to date with their Child Welfare information and other clubs must have provided the information by the April meeting.

Correspondence: The Secretary had previously emailed clubs information regarding the LCB OSCAS and League Cricket Conference legal updates.

Paul Garnett will let the League Secretary know the height of the Hamer Cup, and David Morris will be asked to obtain estimates for replicas of the Warburton, Hamer and Howarth Cups.

Finance: Chris Monks reported a bank balance of £2308, plus £1808 in the Savings Account, £919 in the legal account and £6311 in the Junior Coaching Account, however almost £2000 of this is committed for junior coaches with further expenditure earmarked for an Umpires’ Course and First Aid Courses.

The umpires and scorer have been paid for the Indoor KO.

The following are due by the end of the month, Eagley £80, Egerton £50, Farnworth £50, Tonge £98 and Westhoughton £50.

Evidence of Public Liability Insurance has been received from Farnworth, Farnworth S.C. Kearsley, Tonge and Westhoughton. The remaining clubs are asked to provide the information on or before the April meeting.

Umpires: The Umpires / Captains meeting will be held at Farnworth S.C. at 7.45pm on 8^th April. It was agreed clubs would be fined £25 per team if the captain or a senior playing representative did not attend. A proposal of a £10 fine was defeated. The Secretary made a note of all first and second team captains.

A one night umpiring course will be held at Bradshaw C.C. from 7.30pm on Monday 20^th April. It is requested that clubs ask any junior team managers and coaches who do not hold an umpiring qualification to attend. Names of those attending should be given to Karen Knott or Mike Buckley before the evening so certificates of attendance can be produced. These will assist with Clubmark qualification.

The Chairman suggested there should be occasional meetings between a small number of first and second team captains and representatives from the Umpires’ Association.

Juniors: Mike Buckley indicated in the minutes of the March junior meeting that he is unwilling to continue unless there is more co-operation from clubs. The Chairman said clubs to need to give more support to the Junior Secretary.

Horwich missed their third consecutive meeting, and the Chairman said they would be referred to the R&C Committee for additional penalties if they offended again.

The Committee agreed by a small majority not to permit the use of grills in place of helmets for young wicketkeepers until more information is available.

R&C Report: Stephen Merry took the Committee through the penalties for non-compliance with admin issues (sent/enclosed).

It was agreed umpires will print their names on the match sheet and when they sign the scorebooks.

Clubs were reminded that in order to engage a deputy professional of Grade 2 and above at the start of the season, a club would have to provide documentary evidence that they intend engaging this level of professional.

Simon Thomson queried why it was necessary for the League to hold a copy of a professional’s contract.

Transfers; W Halton (Astley Bridge to Egerton), A Grundy (FSC to Farnworth) and I Taylor (Tonge to Little Lever).

There was a long discussion about the problems of getting overseas professionals into the country.

Farnworth have signed Saad Anwar Junior as professional.

Ground Inspections: It is anticipated there will be a preliminary ground inspection before Easter. David Morris will contact clubs with dates and times.

There is a daytime Groundsman’s Foundation Course at Middleton C.C. on Wednesday 8^th April. For further details contact Ian Brewster on 07743 025547.

The Secretary mentioned again Mr Morris’ suggestion about a bulk purchase of covers (25x12 or 25x8 at £130 + vat or £80 + vat), and two clubs indicated the purchase could be made through them for VAT purposes. However it was agreed that because of the recent high level of expenditure by the Junior Section it may not be possible to divert funding and it was agreed that further discussion would be necessary.

The Secretary had previously emailed information regarding the rolling of pitches.

Cricket Balls: Rod Sandiford requires payment from the following clubs before the balls will be released; Astley Bridge, Egerton, Horwich, Greenmount, Tonge and Walkden.

Other Reports: Mr. Stafford said that clubs should let Bruce Cruise have as much information as possible, via the LCB, relating to water rates and United Utilities. Some clubs suggested a little progress had been made.

Mr. Stafford reported the deaths of Derek Day and Ken Snelgrove at the County.

The Northern League no longer has ‘Premier’ status.

The Secretary said funding is now available specifically for clubs without Clubmark or Focus status through the ECB and the Lords Taverners. An application form for the Lords Taverners had previously been emailed to clubs.

Handbook: Peter Stafford urgently requires the following information; phone numbers for A. Heptenstall and I. Lansdale, address and phone number for B. Elkin and a Junior Report. Derek Kay said he would deal with the report.

Any Other Business: Little Lever announced batsmen would not have to retire at 50 in the Lyddon KO. The rules will be amended accordingly and sent out.

Date of Next Meetings: Thursday 16^th April at FSC, 18^th May at BCC.